Joanne overcame a fear of Maths to pursue teacher training

Joanne Newton has dedicated her life to education, working as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HTLA) in a primary school. But to take the next step in her career and train as a teacher, she needed to overcome a long-standing obstacle: gaining her Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and achieving a GCSE-equivalency.

Discovering Realise

“I only had a GCSE grade D in Maths,” Joanne explains, “I needed the qualification to gain a place in teacher training.” Searching online for free courses in her area, Joanne discovered Realise and enrolled. The thought of tackling Maths again was daunting. “I was nervous, facing my fear of Maths,” she recalls of her first day.

Supportive tutoring makes a difference

Joanne soon found herself at ease, thanks to the support and encouragement of her tutor, Bev. “She was friendly and approachable, and she made me feel like no question was a stupid question! Bev also found resources, websites, and practice papers that were a massive help.” Joanne particularly enjoyed the structured tutoring sessions and the practical learning tools. “The practice sheets and Skills Builder were fantastic for learning new material,” she says.

Achieving her career goals

Completing the course has opened the door to teacher training, bringing Joanne one step closer to her dream. “Without Maths Functional Skills and GCSE equivalency, I wouldn’t have been able to gain access to teacher training. My next step is to finish my third year at university, studying a Teaching and Learning honours degree, and then I’ll be all set to start teacher training.”

Encouraging others to take the leap

When asked if she’d recommend Realise to others, Joanne doesn’t hesitate. “Go for it. If I can do it, you can!”

Grateful for accessible options

She also emphasises the importance of free education opportunities. “Thank you for providing this course free of charge. It makes a big difference to people’s lives who can’t afford private tuition or expensive online courses.”

Ready for the future

Joanne’s determination and hard work are a shining example of what’s possible with the right support. With her teaching career on the horizon, she’s ready to inspire the next generation – just as Realise inspired her.

Feeling inspired?

Enrol in our Level 2 Functional Skills Maths course today!