"My favourite thing about the Carmarthen Campus was the sense of community"

This is the view of Emma Henshaw who is graduating this week from the BA Primary Education degree with Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus.

Emma says: “My favourite thing about the Carmarthen Campus was the feeling of community. It’s a small campus, and that means that you never feel like a number; everyone knows each other, and the atmosphere is warm, Welsh and welcoming. The lecturers were supportive and always willing to help, and the Welsh medium course felt very homely, almost like family”.

Emma chose to study at the Carmarthen campus because of its strong Welsh language ethos and its reputation for training primary teachers. She also wanted to study close to her home in Llanwrda in a supportive environment, and the Welsh-medium course offered a unique and personal experience. 

“The practical opportunities, the regular placements, and the enthusiastic lecturers made the university a natural choice for me” says Emma. 

“The placements were split evenly over the three years, giving hands-on experience from the very beginning. The modules were relevant and practical, and the course encouraged students to go above and beyond expectations through opportunities such as alternative placements and research modules in schools.”

Balancing study, placements and part-time work was a challenge for Emma at times but she says she made sure that she organised her work carefully, asking for help when needed, and sticking to a clear routine to manage the pressure. She also praises the support from lecturers and placement mentors as well as the support from the Student Services department which made a huge difference to her grades and understanding. She says that she would highly recommend their service, as it can help to build confidence and reach higher grades”.

Beyond her studies, Emma volunteered with a local forest school and worked for school clubs supporting outdoor learning and children’s social emotional development. 

“I was also involved in campus life, taking part in Welsh language events and enjoying the close-knit community of Primary Education students” she said. “The balance between studying, placements and activities outside of the course made the experience rich and rewarding”.

Emma highly recommends the University. “The lecturers are extremely friendly and supportive, and they really want to see students succeed. The small campus creates a warm and personal environment where each student gets individual attention. The Primary Education course is practical, well structured, and offers placements from the first year. The Welsh medium experience is special and builds confidence, skills and a sense of belonging”.

Emma now plans to complete her Newly Qualification Teacher (NQT) year and continue to volunteer at a forest school and take on as many professional development opportunities as she can.

Further Information

Eleri Beynon

Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790