Further Education Progression Story
Find out how Angela Tombs has inspired many students from West Bromwich in Further and higher education settings and continues to make an impact today. In her FE progression video, Angela talks about the benefits and impact she has had on her career below.
Angela Tombs, Assistant Principal for Student Services at Sandwell Family of Colleges has worked in both Further and Higher education since 1998.
She began her FE progression journey at her former college, Walsall where she studied for two years as an Art and design student. Angela was keen to give back to her community and got to work straight away as a Lecturer in Art and Design.
In 2000 Angela continued to make an impact on the West Midlands education setting, progressing in her career to become a Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton teaching Design Studies and Art History for just under 3 years.
Outside of education, Angela dedicated her time to gallery education, sticking to her background in Arts.
Angela expressed how working outside of Further Education has had a positive impact when it comes to teaching for herself and other members of staff. It helps their students to achieve their career progressions.
It is a great privilege for Angela to continue working in FE and help support students and make a difference in their lives. As well as working alongside wonderful staff both past and present in a relaxed atmosphere.
As an FE teacher, you can explore more freedom and be creative in how you support learners which is a key benefit to Angela’s progression.
Angela is a primary example of opportunity and progression within further education and has loved every minute of her FE journey, from becoming a Lecturer to Assistant Director, Director of Student Services and currently Assistant principal in Student Services at Sandwell College in West Bromwich.
Angela expresses there is plenty of room for growth and development when working in FE, as you can explore other areas that you can go into as well as teaching.
Sandwell College is part of the Sandwell family of colleges, Central Campus, Cadbury College and Central St Michael’s.
Benefits for working in Further Education
There are many benefits to working in Further education, however, each member of staff has their unique highlights. For Angela, a key benefit is working in a state of the art environment where both students and staff get to work with a wide range of facilities.
Angela continues to express there are plenty of chances to progress and develop your career within Further Education, having access to courses to study to support you with your journey.
Many query if the salary is good within Further Education, Angela clears this up by mentioning ‘the salary is not too bad’ and ‘of course the holidays which everybody likes’.
Working in Further Education has a positive impact
Angela believes working in Further Education is very impactful, explaining thousands of students from Sandwell Colleges go to university every year, for many the first in their families to go to university.
It is not uncommon for students to attend college as their next step as they didn’t enjoy school, or didn’t meet the expectations set out by secondary schools. Because of this colleges have become a second chance for many and enable the staff to teach the students in a unique way, which they find more engaging, and positively progress in their studies.
Angela often meets students who she has taught within her 28 years of education and they are all doing really well. Another positive about working in FE is not only are you educating students and getting them qualifications, but you are also developing rounding citizens, to go out into their local community and contribute.
Over the last 28 years, Angela has had a tremendous impact on her local community and the students as well as the staff in West Bromwich and has had an incredible FE progression journey.
We at jobs.ac.uk can’t wait to see what the future holds, but we have no doubt Angela will continue to leave her positive infectious attitude across the West Midlands education setting.
Angela Tombs
Assistant Principal For Student Services at Sandwell Family of Colleges
You can find out more and connect with Angela on LinkedIn.
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