But Ann’s journey into higher education was far from straightforward. As a teenager, she struggled to maintain focus at school and left with poor GCSE grades. Like many young people at the time, she joined a Youth Training Scheme, similar to today’s apprenticeships, first studying child and vulnerable adult care before moving into retail. 

In 2000, at the age of 29 and with two young children, Ann left retail with dreams of a new challenge with long-term prospects. Fastrack proved to be the ideal opportunity as a mature student.  

“I was searching for something more meaningful, a role with challenge, purpose and longterm prospects. I knew I had to change my future, I needed to go to university. 

“Enrolling on Fastrack was one of the hardest but best things I have ever done.  

“I never imagined that a free, short-term programme would lead to a fulfilling career in higher education, a degree, a postgraduate qualification and a leadership role within a university.” 

After completing Fastrack, Ann, from St Helens, went on to graduate in English with Creative Writing and has since achieved a PGCE in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 

A dyspraxia diagnosis did not prevent Ann from pursuing and achieving her career goals. While working at Edge Hill, she was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and became a member of the University’s Board of Governors. 

She added: “Edge Hill gave me an opportunity that changed my life and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. 

“Now I get to help others in the same position I was in realise that their background doesn’t define their potential.” 

Edge Hill University’s Fastrack programme offers adults aged 21 and over the chance to access higher education, even if they don’t currently hold the qualifications required. 

The free full-time course begins with a oneweek induction, followed by six weeks of oncampus study designed to develop academic skills, subject knowledge and most importantly, confidence to succeed University level education.  

Find out more at the Fastrack Information Evening on Wednesday 4 March at 5:30pm.

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Released to mark Helplines Awareness Day, Monday 23 February, this episode is part of ‘What’s in your Head’, the first series from Edge Hill’s new podcast Edge Ahead, hosted by regional podcaster Gareth Roberts alongside Liverpool FC legend and Edge Hill Honorary Doctor Chris Kirkland.

Mike Palmer, who lost his daughter Beth to suicide in 2020, shared the philosophy that drives his national campaigning. Alongside fellow bereaved fathers Tim Owen and Andy Airey, Mike has walked hundreds of miles to raise millions for Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide and to lobby the government for curriculum change.

“I live in a world of grief, but I’ve learned to manage it through forgiveness, forgiving myself for having bad days. What we do with ‘Three Dads’ is about making a difference. It’s not ‘lived experience,’ it’s living experience.

“We want happy, resilient young people who can thrive, and that starts with building a solid base of mental health.” Mike said on the podcast.

Nina Smith, a former primary school teacher, was just days away from starting her Masters in Mental Health at Edge Hill when her brother Will died by suicide. Rather than turning away, Nina threw herself into her studies and she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research school-based suicide prevention strategies.

Her research took her to Australia and the US where she found that suicide prevention training has been mandatory for teachers for many years. The UK Government is now planning to add suicide prevention to secondary school curriculum, thanks in large part to the Three Dads Walking campaign and the voices of people like Nina.

Nina said: “Suicide prevention is hope promotion. There are no ‘wrong people’ to talk to; there are just people who haven’t had any training yet.

“Everybody has the potential to save a life; they just need the tools.”

Edge Hill is already putting Nina’s findings into practice. The University has integrated mandatory suicide prevention training into its Ofsted ‘outstanding’ initial teacher training programmes.

And a new specialist PGCE, Primary Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist with QTS, has been developed to ensure the next generation of educators can lead a whole-school approach to wellbeing.

On this Helplines Awareness Day, both guests emphasised the vital role of professional support services. Mike highlighted the Papyrus HOPELINE247, a 24-hour service for under 35s and those concerned about them, while Nina urged everyone to take the free, 30-minute training provided by the Zero Suicide Alliance.

Mike said: “In those 15 minutes of crisis, a helpline can be the difference between a life lost and a life kept. It is a knife-edge and having someone to call is the safety net our young people deserve.”

This episode is the last in the current series of Edge Ahead which has featured guests such as former professional boxer Tony Bellew, Jake Mills from Chasing the Stigma and former ‘selfie addict’ Danny Bowman.

All episodes are available to stream on Spotify and  YouTube. Whether you’re on campus or tuning in from afar, Edge Hill invites everyone to join the conversation.

Edge Hill University offers a dedicated student support service, providing mental health and wellbeing advice, as well as other help and support.

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Why study a PGCE or Further Education Diploma?

There are few careers more rewarding than teaching. It takes creativity and dedication to inspire children and young people, but the sense of satisfaction you’ll feel at the end of a working day is incredible.

Are you considering studying a PGCE or Further Education and Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching? Unsure whether it is right for you? We have put together a useful guide below to show you the benefits.

Why should I train to teach?

Enviable salary and holidays

Teachers with qualified teacher status (QTS) will get a minimum starting salary of £31,650, which rises as you become more experienced. All students of our PGCE courses will gain recommendation for QTS. There are few qualifications where you can earn above the graduate national average straight after leaving university.

No other profession has holidays quite like teaching. With 6 weeks paid summer holiday and half term breaks. You can have a great work life balance as a teacher. 

Get paid to learn

There’s plenty of scholarships available for aspiring teachers. The Government will pay up to £29,000 in bursaries for selected secondary PGCEs. For certain subject areas, you may be eligible to apply for a Teacher Training Scholarship worth up to £31,000. We can help you look into the funding available to see what you might be eligible for. 

Make a difference

Teaching isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to inspire minds and change futures. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you have made a difference to so many lives. Sitting in your classroom could be the entrepreneurs and innovators of tomorrow. Each interaction counts. And no two days will be the same. It’s a career with built-in variety as you teach new topics, new curricula and get to work with children and young people each year.

Work anywhere in the world

Our PGCE’s are accredited by the Department for Education and are an internationally recognised academic qualification. This means you will be able to teach almost anywhere in the world, from International Schools to other English-speaking countries like Canada and Australia. Opening up a range of exciting prospects you might not have considered. And great if you want to work and travel the globe after your studies.

Enhance your career prospects

Teaching is a highly transferable skill. It is well respected and has great employability and progression pathways. You could start as a teacher and become a Head of Department or Headteacher. Studying a PGCE can help you with all aspects of teaching. From teaching practices to research and theory, you will cover and understand it all.

At Edge Hill University, 98.1% of PGCE graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes data released 2025 from 2021/23 graduates). Thinking about studying for a Masters degree too? You may be able to transfer 60 credits from your PGCE towards a full Masters degree, which would usually be 180 credits (subject to approval).

Develop your personal skills

PGCEs and Further Education Diplomas will help increase your independence, self-motivation and confidence. You will oversee a classroom and will need to be able to make quick decisions, communicate effectively, manage your own time and create your own lesson plans. Get stuck in and learn from your experiences first-hand.

Increase your subject knowledge

If you’d like to build on your undergraduate degree and delve deeper into your subject, then a PGCE is for you. You’ll be able to specialise in a specific area of secondary education or broaden your knowledge to deliver a variety of subjects for primary education. And teachers don’t just share their existing knowledge. It’s an opportunity for lifelong learning too, keeping on top of the latest trends and technologies.

Find like-minded people

During your time studying a PGCE or Further Education Diploma, you will be surrounded by people just like you. Everyone there will want to benefit their career in a specific area. Make deeper connections and network with your fellow students and tutors. Your PGCE or Further Education Diploma class is your team.

Studying at Edge Hill University gives you more than professional practice in the classroom. Spend time in group discussions and reflection with your tutors and fellow students. Immerse yourself in the knowledge around you to become an outstanding teacher.

Why study at Edge Hill University?

Edge Hill began life as a teacher training college for women in 1885. Having trained teachers for almost 140 years, we’ve earned an amazing reputation within the sector and have most recently been graded Ofsted Outstanding. 

We’re proud to be one of the first universities to be rated outstanding across all three initial teacher training age phases. The glowing report stated that “trainees at Edge Hill flourish” and reflects the commitment of Edge Hill – the largest Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provider in the North West – to deliver the highest quality education and support for its trainee teachers.  

Throughout our time we have developed relationships with over 2,000 partner schools, colleges and other settings. These partnerships allow us to provide top-class opportunities for our students. Professional practice is an essential element of any PGCE or Further Education Diploma, giving you an excellent experience throughout your training.

Not all of our partners are traditional schools. You can experience education in SEN schools, hospital schools and forest schools, so you’ll be more than prepared by the time you graduate. As one of the largest providers of professional qualifications for teachers, many PGCE students return to study MA Education and specialist routes.

Edge Hill’s Ormskirk campus is home to a £9 million Faculty of Education building. Housing a stimulating learning environment with a 300-seat lecture theatre, ICT suites, teaching rooms and a cafe. In addition, the Faculty of Education Piazza building is now the base of Secondary and Further Education and Training provisions.

Learn more about why to study at Edge Hill.

Fees and funding

The Department for Education has a number of bursaries available. You may be eligible to receive a bursary worth up to £29,000 by joining selected Secondary PGCE programmes.

Instead of a bursary, you may be eligible to apply for a Teacher Training Scholarship. These prestigious awards, worth up to £31,000 for the academic year 2026/27, are aimed at outstanding graduates who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be inspirational teachers.

Ready to apply?

Ready to start a PGCE or Further Education and Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching? You can apply online through GOV.UK. You’ll need to prepare some key information to ensure your application is accurate and stands out from the crowd. 

You may wish to find out more about the application process. To find out more about the PGCEs available at Edge Hill, visit our website or contact our Couse Enquiries team on study@edgehill.ac.uk or call on 01695 575171. 

I’ve been given plenty of opportunities for continued professional development, and all my theory work is put into context either with real-life examples from my tutors, or when I see it first hand out on professional practice.

Sophie Dottie

PGCE Primary Education with QTS

View student profile

I particularly enjoyed the curriculum design module, as I was really able to get creative with the assessments for the learners.

Kir Turner

PGDE Post-14 Education

View student profile

FAQs

Contact

If you have any questions about studying for your PGCE or Further Education and Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching at Edge Hill, please contact Course Enquiries.

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More than PE: shape young minds in two subjects with one degree 

Do you want to teach PE and stand out in the job market? Develop your skills and boost your employability by studying our PGCE Secondary Physical Education with an EBacc pathway in either computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. 

The PE with EBacc programme at Edge Hill offers an exciting and innovative route into teaching, combining physical education with a second subject from the EBacc suite of computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. This unique dual-subject approach broadens your teaching expertise and increases your versatility in schools. Training with Edge Hill University will fully prepare you for the demands of teaching both subjects, helping you build strong subject knowledge and understand the distinct pedagogical approaches required for each.  

The EBacc advantage

Modern schools increasingly seek adaptable teachers who can contribute across multiple areas of the curriculum. This dual-subject qualification addresses those needs by producing teachers who are not only specialists in physical education, a key subject for student wellbeing and development but also capable of teaching a core academic subject at Key Stage 3. For employers, this combination is highly attractive: it offers flexibility in staffing, helps with timetabling, and supports a broad and balanced curriculum. It reflects a wider workforce trend that values versatility, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary thinking. 

Graduates of the PE with EBacc programme stand out by offering a rare and highly valuable skill set. Being qualified to teach both PE and an EBacc subject makes you more employable, particularly in competitive job markets where schools are seeking maximum impact from each new hire.  

What to Expect from the Course 

The PE with EBacc programme at Edge Hill University offers a rich blend of academic study and hands-on teaching experience. Over the year, trainees will engage in: 

• Two school placements, providing contrasting settings and experiences. 

• Lectures, seminars, and practical workshops led by experienced subject specialists. 

• Ongoing guidance from school-based mentors and a dedicated university link tutor, ensuring consistent support. 

• A gradually increasing teaching timetable, allowing you to build confidence and competence at a manageable pace. 

Throughout the programme, the focus remains on physical education, but your second EBacc subject plays an important complementary role. The approximate split is 80% PE and 20% EBacc subject.

During your placements, you will: 

• Begin with focused observation of your EBacc subject, at Key Stage 3 level. 

• Gradually take on teaching responsibilities, gaining insight into pedagogy, assessment, and subject delivery. 

• Benefit from university sessions tailored to both subjects, helping you develop subject-specific knowledge and teaching strategies. 

Career Opportunities and Employability 

Graduates of the PE with EBacc programme are fully prepared for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling them to begin their careers as Secondary School Teachers. Most will enter roles as PE teachers, but with the added qualification in a second EBacc subject, graduates are also equipped to: 

• Teach a second subject (e.g. computing, English, geography, history or mathematics) at Key Stage 3. 

• Contribute to cross-curricular initiatives and enrichment activities. 

• Take on roles involving pastoral care, form tutoring, or extra-curricular sports leadership. 

• Progress quickly into curriculum leadership, dual-subject coordination, or whole-school roles due to their broader expertise. 

“The PE with EBacc programme at Edge Hill University is a strong choice if you’re passionate about teaching PE and interested in developing skills in a second subject such as computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. The course is intensive but rewarding, with a balance of academic study, practical school placements, and excellent support from both university staff and school mentors.  

You’ll gain valuable experience in teaching both subjects, building confidence and adaptability. With a focus on real classroom demands and employability, this programme prepares you to graduate as a versatile, well-equipped teacher ready to make a lasting impact.” 

Simon Dougherty 
Senior Lecturer in Physical Education (Secondary Education) 

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Edge Hill launches two innovative PGCE programmes focused on SENDI and mental health in education

Edge Hill University has announced the launch of two groundbreaking postgraduate teacher training programmes: PGCE Primary Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion (SENDI) Specialist with QTS and PGCE Primary Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist with QTS. These new courses are designed for aspiring teachers who want to become a specialist SEN lead or a mental health and wellbeing specialist in primary education settings.

With the rise in children and young people requiring more effective tailored support for their special educational needs, as well as their mental health, there is an increasing need for teachers with expertise in these fields. Edge Hill University’s new PGCE programmes aim to address this gap by training teachers who can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young learners.

“We are delighted to be extending our current PGCE portfolio with the two innovative new specialisms of SENDI and mental health and wellbeing. These will provide our PGCE trainees with up-to-date knowledge and experience to become resilient and ethical teachers across the primary age phase. As SENDI or mental health and wellbeing specialist, our graduates will be subject experts who are committed to working creatively to transform life chances.”

Sian Miles
Head of Department, Primary and Childhood Education

What will students learn on these new PGCEs

Both new PGCE programmes blend classroom theory with a significant amount of time undertaking professional practice placements. Students will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) to develop a much deeper understanding of their areas of specialist interest and be able to apply this in real world settings. Successful completion of both programmes leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Edge Hill-trained teachers will be at the forefront of shaping a brighter future for all pupils, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities and those requiring support for their mental health.

PGCE Primary Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion (SENDI) Specialist with QTS. Students will explore strategies for supporting learners with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities. Key modules include inclusive teaching methods, behaviour management, and adaptive curriculum planning, with hands-on placements in schools that specialise in SEND education.

PGCE Primary Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist with QTS. This programme focuses on promoting mental health and wellbeing within primary schools. Students will gain knowledge in early intervention strategies, trauma-informed teaching, and the integration of mental health support into everyday classroom practices.

Why study at Edge Hill University?

The Faculty of Education is committed to working creatively to transform life chances. Our curriculum seeks to develop teachers with a strong sense of social responsibility, including environmental and civic responsibilities, advocating for children’s rights, challenging bias and inequality, and supporting ecological justice and global sustainability. We also develop teachers who recognise and celebrate difference and diversity, including the diverse backgrounds and orientations of learners and colleagues, as well as the diversity of powerful insights and methodologies in educational research and practice.

• Ofsted Outstanding: Edge Hill is one of the first English universities graded Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ across all three initial teacher training age phases.

• Strong partnerships: with our connections to over 1500 institutions, there are plenty of opportunities for work experience.

• Student support: we prioritise student wellbeing, with dedicated support services that ensure graduates are prepared both academically and personally.

“The promotion of mental health and wellbeing is a core feature of internationally known, multi-award-winning, research and knowledge exchange activity which informs teaching undertaken in the Faculty of Education. Examples of our work which supports the mental health of children and young people in schools include our Tackling the Blues programme, delivered in partnership with Everton in the Community (the official charity of Everton Football Club).

We are working with other organisations on plans to improve mental health and prevent suicide. These include providing trainee teachers with training in mental health and suicide awareness; providing partner schools and colleges with resources on how to support children and young people; and offering professional development opportunities for trainees and qualified teachers. Our staff and students also work with community and national partners across the sport, culture and arts sectors to promote mental health and support the treatment and management of mental illness.”

Professor Andy Smith
Professor of Sport, Education and Mental Health
Director of the Centre for Mental Health, Sport and Physical Activity

Find out more

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Continue your studies with Edge Hill University

Why should I do a postgraduate degree?

Increase your earning potential

Average salaries for Masters graduates tend to be higher, and the starting salary for qualified teachers is above the graduate national average. The starting salary for qualified teachers is competitive, at around £32,916, rising to over £46,000 for more experienced teachers. There are few qualifications where you can earn above the graduate national average straight after leaving university.

Advance your career prospects

A Masters sets you apart from the competition and focuses your skillset towards leadership positions. Teaching is also a highly transferable skill with great progression pathways. You could start as a teacher and become a Head of Department or Headteacher. Over 94.4% of taught Masters graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation. (Graduate Outcomes data released 2024 from 2021/22 graduates)

Change direction

Most of our courses only require a specific level of undergraduate degree rather than a specific subject. Had a change of career goal? Want to study a new subject? A postgraduate degree can help you do it. Select your desired course then click entry criteria to see if you are eligible to apply.

Why should you continue your studies at Edge Hill?

Guaranteed PGCE interview

Thinking about teacher training after your degree? If you’re a final year EHU student and planning to apply for a PGCE to start in 2026, you’re eligible for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This means that as long as you are studying a relevant undergraduate degree subject (where a specific undergraduate degree subject is specified in the entry criteria for your PGCE of interest), you’ll be guaranteed an interview at EHU*. Taking some of the stress out of your application. You’ll still need to apply through ‘GOV.UK Apply for Teacher Training’ and include a personal statement, but you won’t need to worry about making it perfect.

*If you receive an offer after interview, all PGCE entry criteria will need to be met prior to the start of your PGCE.

You already have a strong bond

By staying at Edge Hill University to complete your postgraduate degree, you are building on existing bonds. Tutors know and understand you. And you already have confidence in them too.

Feel comfortable in your surroundings

After three years at Edge Hill, you know your environment. From faculty buildings to the wider campus and town. There’s no adjustment time needed. Jump straight into your postgraduate and focus on your studies, rather than finding your lecture hall.

I’ve been given plenty of opportunities for continued professional development, and all my theory work is put into context either with real-life examples from my tutors, or when I see it first hand out on professional practice.

Sophie Dottie

PGCE Primary Education with QTS

View student profile

“The MA Creative Writing has really allowed me to mature, become more confident in my writing and make so many connections with so many different, influential people.”

Victoria Loftus

View alumni profile

Edge Hill has such a strong history and reputation for teacher training, not to mention the campus has everything you need in one place.

Katie Hazel

PGCE Secondary Computer Science and Information Technology with QTS (11-16)

View student profile

I particularly enjoyed the curriculum design module, as I was really able to get creative with the assessments for the learners.

Kir Turner

PGDE Post-14 Education

View student profile

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Edge Hill University delivers new international teaching award

Edge Hill University’s Faculty of Education has been awarded approval from the Department for Education (DfE), to deliver a PGCE programme leading to the new iQTS (international qualified teacher status). 

Following a highly competitive application process, Edge Hill was selected to offer the new PGCE with iQTS as one of a small cohort of providers in England. This is the first year of a wider rollout of the iQTS postgraduate teacher training programme, with delivery starting in autumn 2024 at the University in both primary and secondary routes. 

This new international teaching qualification, iQTS, is for anyone who is a practising or aspiring primary or secondary education teacher working outside of England. The PGCE with iQTS is for those looking to turn their passion into a career with a globally transferable teaching qualification that will allow them to teach all over the world. 

With over 135 years of experience training teachers, the Faculty of Education at Edge Hill University enjoys the reputation of being one of the largest and most established providers of Education programmes in England. 

Focusing on ‘working creatively with others to enhance life chances’, the Faculty has trained over 3000 teachers in the last three years across the Primary, Secondary and Further Education phases, with a substantial track record in working with partner schools and colleges. 

“We’re proud to be chosen to be part of this initiative. The iQTS will make a valuable contribution to teacher training by enabling teachers to qualify abroad to teach in the English context. Additionally, the iQTS enables us to apply our research and expertise to develop teachers around the world. It is part of a suite of initiatives, including three brand new fully online Master’s degrees in Education, that make Edge Hill qualifications in Education available to anyone in the world.”

Professor David Aldridge
Head of Secondary and Further Education

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Vital literacy conference supports secondary trainee teachers

Hosted on Edge Hill’s award-winning campus, the Faculty of Education invited secondary PGCE students and colleagues from our partnership settings to an insightful Literacy and Phonics Conference.

The focus of the day was ‘take the fear out of literacy’ and the conference aimed to give students and teachers practical skills to tackle the post-pandemic drop in literacy.

The keynote speech was delivered by Alex Quigley – senior associate at the Education Endowment Foundation, educational consultant, author, former English teacher and regular columnist for TES and Teach Secondary magazine. Alex shared practical skills that the attendees can use to confidently boost pupils’ reading skills and build their motivation for reading.

“When it comes to literacy, I think there is no more important topic for teachers. For pupils being able to read fluently is foundational for education, as it affects every single aspect of learning, from reading maths questions and exam questions to reading for pleasure at home.

Post-pandemic there is clear evidence that literacy has taken a big hit, especially for disadvantaged children, because learning at home can never match the magic of being in the classroom. So, while literacy, reading and writing have always been important, it’s now absolutely vital that we tackle this issue head-on.”

Alex Quigley
Keynote Speaker

The conference featured a range of speakers, as well as workshops and discussions, on the journeys and experiences of schools teaching literacy and phonics at a time when improving literacy has never been more important.

The afternoon keynote speech was delivered by Dr Karen Boardman, Head of Department, Early Years Education at Edge Hill University.

“This was a vital literacy conference to support secondary trainee teachers and partners with the literacy journey of early reading, systematic synthetic phonics and reading fluency. 

It is important that all teachers know how literacy impacts on everyone’s learning and how best to support, given that we are all teachers of literacy in our classrooms.” 

Dr Karen Boardman
Head of Department, Early Years Education

Students took away lots of advice to improve their future practice. As a teaching student at Edge Hill University you will be supported through your transition to working life as an early career teacher through access to dedicated conferences and workshops. Professional practice is an essential element of your programme. We have developed relationships with over 2,000 partner schools, colleges and other settings. Allowing us to provide an excellent experience for our trainees.

We caught up with two students at the conference for their feedback about the event:

The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce.

Our vision is to undertake and prioritise research that impacts positively on the lives of children, young people, schools, educational institutions, families and communities. This drives our vibrant research culture and environment, where social inclusiveness, democratic understanding, and collaborative activity, are all fundamental to the ways in which we undertake research.

Our educational research was rated highly in the UK-wide Research Excellence Framework (REF), with 76% of our research rated as internationally recognised, internationally excellent, or world-leading.

“It’s always exciting to be able to bring some of the nation’s best teachers and education experts to Edge Hill. As one of the country’s biggest and best hubs for teacher training, we recognise our key role in helping teachers and schools recover from the pandemic and share best practice. We will continue to share our research in any way we can, whether through our free online CPD or conferences like this one.”

Natalie Reynolds
Senior Lecturer in Secondary English

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Saffron, who is following up her undergraduate degree in sports development and management with a Masters in sport, physical activity and mental health, said she was “incredibly honoured” to win the award. 

“It’s lovely to gain this recognition of my hard work over the past three years. I think I won because of how much I engaged with the course and made the most of opportunities the sports department presented us with. I believe my range of professional experience made me stand out.” 

While studying as an undergraduate, Saffron completed two internships with Everton in the Community, the football club’s official charity. She researched the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of care home staff, residents and their families, and explored the need for the charity’s proposed mental health hub The People’s Place. 

“The first internship led me to apply for my role as a healthcare assistant in a residential care home for people with dementia as I felt such a connection with the residents I spoke to. I knew I wanted to continue to work with the elderly and play a part in supporting them through a very difficult period.” 

Saffron also took part in a work placement with Tackling the Blues, a mental health programme for children and young people run by Edge Hill University in partnership with Everton in the Community and Tate Liverpool, and worked as a one-to-one support worker for a young man with autism. 

The 21-year-old from Glossop, Derbyshire added: “I love working with people and knowing I can play a part in improving people’s mental health and wellbeing.” 

William, who graduated with a First Class Honours sports coaching and development degree, is now studying for a PGCE Secondary Physical Education at Edge Hill. 

He said: “Winning the award gave me tremendous pride. When reflecting on the hard work I put into my studies over the past three years, receiving this recognition has made it all worth it. It was great to share the news with my family and see how proud they are. 

“I think my drive and passion to succeed made me stand out. I had an amazing experience at Edge Hill in social and academic settings, balancing both well in order to achieve high marks as well as enjoy myself, meeting friends for life with incredible memories to go with them. 

William, 21, originally from Bradford, hopes to become a PE teacher when he completes his PGCE. 

Kenny Greenough, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development, explained that Saffron and William were selected to receive the national awards – introduced by CIMSPA in partnership with Edge Hill as one of the 10 original higher education institutions granted degree endorsement – in recognition of their “excellent academic and work-related success”. 

He said: “Saffron and William consistently achieved outstanding grades and gained invaluable experience throughout their studies, developing an excellent range of industry employability skills by engaging regularly with placement and other work-related learning opportunities. We are extremely proud of all their achievements.” 

Professor Andy Smith, who leads the University’s work with CIMSPA, added: “We are also immensely grateful to CIMSPA for their continued support in ensuring our sports coaching, management and development degrees prepare students to undertake highly-skilled work on graduation.”

To discover more about courses at Edge Hill University, please visit ehu.ac.uk/study.

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