Name: Natasha
Hometown: St Austell
Course: FdA Early Childhood Education followed by BA (Hons) Human Behavioural Studies
Next Steps: A career in Education Psychology or working for an agency such as CAHMS
My Story
Natasha, from St Austell, studied the FdA Early Childhood Education degree at the University Centre Truro and Penwith. Her passion to study Education and in particular, a focus on SEND (Social and Emotional Needs and Disabilities), came from her own lived experience of raising children with SEND.
A single mum and heavily pregnant whilst studying for her degree, Natasha faced personal circumstances that for many may have been a barrier to completing the course. However, her determination didn’t waver, and she has now progressed onto the BA (Hons) in Human Behavioural Studies, becoming the first member of her family to study at this level.
Determined to see a change in the education system and using her own personal experiences navigating support around raising SEND children, Natasha focused her second-year research on inconsistencies in the support parents receive when applying for EHCPs (Education Health Care Plans) and she achieved this by working with primary SENDCOS and local send organisation SENDIASS, as well as interviewing parents to find out where the gaps are between understanding the need for an EHCP and being awarded it.
On turning her own personal experiences into research, Natasha said: “The topic of SEND in Education really interested me. It was interesting to learn about the policies – a lot of people get bored by that, but I found it quite interesting because I’d had meetings for my own children and that background knowledge really helps.
“I have children with additional needs so I’m quite passionate about it. I feel like there’s a shortage of help, and if I have the background knowledge, I want to use that to help others.
“Now I have studied for my degree, I can come at the research from a professional viewpoint and a parental viewpoint as well. I’m going through an ECHP appeal for my daughter, so I can use elements I’ve learned from my degree such as SENDCO practice to help with it.”
Natasha praised the support available during her time on the course, explaining: “I wouldn’t have got through my degree without the support here, especially from my tutor Karen, Jess (Programme Team Lead for Education & Teacher Training) and Kelli (HE Student Support Advisor).”
Natasha was recently recognised for her incredible effort and was awarded the Bianca Trew Award, historically given to a student with the most creative approach to education. Natasha was nominated by the whole teaching team for her determination and dedication to a fair education for all.
Karen Keast, Deputy Team Lead for Education, said of Natasha’s nomination: “Over the duration of the course, Natasha was subject to multiple, major external circumstances which would ordinarily create hurdles and significant dilemmas to cease continued study. Through student support and the university centre’s support systems, not only did she complete the full two years, but she also used her second-year independent research to focus on the inconsistencies and difficulties in accessing EHCP support and guidance. She used this growing knowledge and her own experiences of SEND within all her Childhood Education assignments, creating a unique focus to most of her submissions.”
Natasha is now working on her final year dissertation research, her study centred around working with people with adverse child experiences and the subsequent evolution to adult behaviours. She hopes to progress to a career in Education Psychology or work for an agency such as CAHMS, to continue to help others.
Natasha’s advice for future students considering a degree is: “Anyone can do a degree if they put their mind to it – you need a lot of resilience but if I can do it, singlehandedly raising children whilst being pregnant, anyone can!”
