Luke Rowe

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background etc?

I started studying at Newcastle College in September 2021. When I first came here, I actually planned to enrol on a Computer Science course; however, when I learnt a bit more about the Level 2 Health and Social Care course here, I did a pretty drastic switch to study that instead! I was really impressed by the course structure, the level of experience among the teaching staff, and the facilities and opportunities I’d benefit from doing this course.

How did you hear about Newcastle College? Did you attend an Open Day prior to starting at the College? If so, did you find it useful?

I attended a couple of Open Days to have a look around the College – to see the facilities, check out the main campus and generally get a better sense of the place I’d be spending so much time in for the next few years – and I’ve got to say they were eye-opening in terms of the development and progression opportunities and skills I could gain for my future. Although I was checking out a few different local colleges after my GCSEs, Newcastle College stood out from the rest: it was well-rounded in terms of its offer, had a really good reputation for academic and pastoral support for students, but it was the amount of positive student case studies on the website that really clinched it. I also liked that the campus was only a 10-minute walk from Newcastle City Centre and was pretty easily accessible by bus from where I lived at the time.

What made you decide to come to the college and enrol on the course you selected?

I chose to study Health and Social Care because I’ve always wanted my work to help people and make a difference, whatever that looks like. The way this course is structured ties into that outlook, since the staff insights, work experience and industry opportunities that have been available throughout my course so far have given me a great insight into how to start making a difference in the most effective manner, and I haven’t looked back since!

How would you describe the advice and support you received from college and your tutors? Have you had any pastoral support for our Central Support Team?

All the advice I’ve received has been really constructive! It’s almost all been academic tips, but any feedback my course tutors have provided has been on a confidential, one-to-one basis where they identified what was wrong with my work but also went into loads of detail about how I could improve it for next time. Several of my tutors go above and beyond for all their students, being happy to spend hours helping solve our problems, or answering messages outside their working hours if it helps to develop our understanding.

Do you have any tutors who have industry experience? If so, how has this helped you?

Most of my course tutors have spent a significant number of years in various parts of the healthcare industry, which really comes across in their teaching and the insights they can give. Just thinking about my tutors from last year, I had one from a social work background, another was a bank nurse in the Royal Victoria Infirmary and another was a healthcare assistant. What makes them stand out from other teachers I’ve had at GCSE is that they’re all true service users, so know how to incorporate industry skills and knowledge into their teaching and reflect their experience back to us by implementing real-world examples in their lessons to help us all understand key health principles.

Did you look into financial support available from the college? If so what were they and how did they help?

Nope, I haven’t needed any pastoral support while I’ve studied at Newcastle College, but I know they have a good reputation.

Have you overcome any challenges while on your course? If so how has the college helped you?

My biggest challenge has definitely been the step up from GCSE style teaching to the college or A Level style of semi-independent learning. Originally, I struggled a bit with external assignments, since they were these massive, long-winded essays which I really had to work hard and put my mind into so I could produce good-quality work. Thanks to the support from my tutors and wider College staff about developing academic writing skills, especially this year, I feel much more comfortable doing larger projects and ready to step into a university setting.

What do you/did you enjoy most about your course?

The freedom, more than anything! The flexibility of my course and the teaching styles I’ve had in general mean I’m not chained to my desk for five days a week, instead giving me time to spend eight hours per week on pure work experience in industry, be it in care homes, hospitals, SEND schools or other employers in the healthcare sector. I’ve also enjoyed the opportunities available to practise my skills on campus, like during last year’s summation tests, where I spent hours in the hospital simulation suites in the Parsons Building practising healthcare procedures, personal care methods, manual handling, CPR and other useful skills that have really benefitted my work experience.

How do you feel that the course has/is benefitting you?

The biggest benefit I’ve had from Newcastle College is getting a job with their help! Thanks to support from my tutors and employer references, I’ve developed communication skills and become more adaptable to different styles of working, which have helped me to launch a career as a health advisor in the North East Ambulance Service (which is pretty impressive given how young I am)! I’m still open to exploring other options though, and my tutors have all said they’re always here to help, even after I leave Newcastle College – it’s that kind of support that really makes Newcastle College a great place to study. Socially speaking, I’ve also built a really good friendship group during my time on the course, which wouldn’t have been possible without coming to Newcastle College – I really can’t think this place enough!

Have you done any work experience or a work placement as part of your course?

Last year, I did a 75-hour work placement in South Chowdene Care Home, which was an interesting jumping-off point for seeing the healthcare industry in action. As of now, I’m working as a healthcare advisor for the North East Ambulance Service, which can be intense and quite draining (it’s an eight-week bloc of 9.00am-9.30pm every day) but I’m loving it! It’s fair to say I’ve learnt a lot of skills with the NEAS, but honestly, it feels more like my time in industry has only polished the skills that I built from my time at Newcastle College. The Work Experience Team have been a massive help too, since they’re constantly reaching out to check how you are, do development checks and see if we need any additional support in coming into industry.

What would you like to do when you finish your course? Would you consider studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

As things stand, I’m keeping my options open for my next steps. Originally, I was planning on going to university, but then I realised that I’m not in any rush to commit to a particular career right now. I’m enjoying my studies, and I’m really enjoying my work with the North East Ambulance Service since it’s opened up so many new pathways for me since I started. On the one hand, I prefer hands-on learning over sitting in a classroom, but I’ve registered interest in a degree at Newcastle College University Centre since I know that I’ll get a really high-quality education, personalised support and loads of industry experience here. On the other hand, I’m thinking about progressing through the NEAS on a paramedic care apprenticeship or a similar healthcare course, since I’ll get additional training and qualifications while progressing up the career ladder. While I know it’ll be a tricky decision, it’s also a great position to be in to have so many good options!

What are your ambitions for the future?

Once I complete my Level 3 course, I’d like to take a few months off to relax and recuperate after exams before knuckling down with my new employer. I’m really keen to develop my skills, and the NEAS has already outlined a progression plan for me that looks promising! Above all, I want to push myself to develop as much as I can professionally so I can set myself up for the future and give myself the best chance I can in my career.

What would you say to anyone thinking of studying a course with Newcastle College?

Do it! When you study with Newcastle College, you give yourself the best opportunity you can to develop new skills, make new friends, and learn from tutors with so much experience in industry that everything you learn can be used straight away when you launch your career. The tutors on my course are the best teachers I’ve ever had, they’ve been through it all and are always sharing their experience with us. You’ll get to learn in fantastic facilities, including simulation suites better than the ones at Newcastle University, and you’ll benefit from learning in a really safe, supportive environment so you can learn the skills you’ll need for the front lines of industry.

Top five tips

1. Don’t rush – take your time with every action and decision you make, since there’s no rush to figure everything out straight away.

2. Enjoy your time!

3. Make new friends – always be sociable, never hide in a corner, just throw yourself right into the middle of a group and see what happens!

4. Be organised – you could feel really overwhelmed sometimes if you haven’t managed your workload effectively, so remember to put your best foot forward to stay on top of your learning.

5. Plan for the future – however long your course is, it will fly by, and you need to have some ideas in mind about what to do next. Whether that’s staying at Newcastle College, going to university or going out into the working world, having even a little plan goes a long way.