MaTReC Leaner Testimonials

Learner Testimonials

Alan Lindley

There are no airs and graces with me - what you see is what you get.

From everything to nothing in one night. In April 2009 I had a stroke and it took most of my eyesight. I was a self-employed plasterer and my stroke left me being selfish, stubborn and arrogant. I suppose some things never change.

I had no qualifications other than a City and Guilds in plastering, and a degree in being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

MaTReC

I expected to walk in there and people to be as arrogant as they were when I was at school, and the same feel to it. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and along with my eyesight and the stroke, well to be honest, what good was I going to be. I expected to be in and out without the taxi having a chance to leave.

It’s hard to admit this, but I was wrong. Everyone there meets you with a smile. They don’t judge you, they are not arrogant or condescending.

Every one of my teachers has shown me how to work at my level and if you don’t understand, they show you again. Not one has been condescending. They have helped me no end with everything to make learning easy.

I have made some good friends at MaTReC, that have helped me hand over fist and that includes staff and students.

Learning and laughing has to be the best way to learn. Thanks to everyone there I have a direction in life again and my head is out of my bottom for want of a better phrase.

Thanks to everyone at MaTReC for everything.

Alan Lindley and Nyle (my guide dog)

MaTReC Student Alan

MaTReC learner Alan Lindley and his guide dog Nyle

Louise Reeve

Hi, my name is Louise Reeve and I am 44 years old. I work as a teaching assistant, with a level 2 teaching assistant qualification, at a local community primary school. I have been in post for 7 years and work in the area of interventions and special needs. This includes working on communication skills and developing skills of pupils where English is a second language.

Approximately 4 years ago, whilst meeting with the Head regarding continuous professional development, it was determined that the way forward was to develop ICT skills. I really did not cherish the thought of undertaking any learning, even though I knew MaTReC was practically on my doorstep.

When I went to enrol at MaTReC I was very warmly welcomed. At interview I was advised to gain Literacy and Numeracy skills first. This I did and when I attended class I was pleased to find the make-up of the group was very similar to myself with other teaching assistants as well as others wanting to learn.

The tutor ensured that the work we undertook reflected the correct level and, following all the learning, I achieved level 1 and 2 in Literacy. I then moved on to Numeracy and achieved levels 1 and 2 quicker.

I then enrolled on to ICT for Beginners, with a brilliant tutor, who really increased my confidence, as I didn’t even know how to switch a computer on. Week by week my confidence grew and I completed the course. I then enrolled on the New CLAiT course, which was a higher level longer course. I have just sat the last assignment to achieve the Diploma at level 1. These units included File management, Presentation, Desk Top Publishing, Web Page Design and On-line Communications (Email). I did fail one unit but was given additional opportunities to come into the centre and was able to re-sit the unit after only a few weeks. I am not afraid of computers anymore and can use a computer confidently.

I’m having a break MaTReC at the moment, as I’ve just been successful at gaining a place to enable me to work towards my Teaching Assistant qualification at level 3. Without the confidence I’ve gained at MaTReC I wouldn’t have made the step to this.

MaTReC is a friendly, welcoming and warm environment and the staff and tutors are brilliant. They maintain professionalism whilst still being informal and personal. All the tutors I had were excellent and learning in a community setting was definitely more beneficial to me.

If anyone has any doubts about education, be brave and take those first steps. It has been a new beginning for me and I am so grateful for everyone’s efforts on my behalf.

MaTReC learner

Louise Reeve