STAR STUDENT – NOT PROBLEM PUPIL!

Jamie Graham has less than fond memories of his time at school. He found the lessons very difficult but his lack of achievement was blamed on a bad attitude. He was told he was disruptive and not paying attention. Now ten years on, Jamie is a first year student at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh studying for a joint honours degree in Media and Marketing.

The real cause of Jamie’s difficulty was recognised by the tutor on the adult learning course he undertook at the age of 22. Jamie was diagnosed with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. Says Jamie: “ This is a complex learning difficulty. Among other things, it means I have a sensitivity to white light and this in turn means that I cannot read black text on white background, like in newspapers.”

Thanks to the tutor’s understanding of the problem and with expert support and guidance, Jamie started to make steady progress with his reading. By 2006, he had come so far that he was named Midlothian Learner of the Year and was offered a place on the SWAP Access to Arts and Humanities Programme at Newbattle Abbey College in Dalkeith.

Access to Arts and Humanities is just one of many Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) in a range of subject areas, offered at colleges throughout the East of Scotland. Specifically designed for mature students, SWAP Access programmes last one-year, making it a fast route into university for adults who do not have the usual entry requirements.

Jamie says: “Starting an Access course was very daunting for me as I had bad memories of education. But I had more confidence in myself. By then, I knew that I had a learning difficulty and was not just stupid as some of my teachers had described me. While on the course at Newbattle Abbey College, I studied Politics, Sociology, History, Psychology, Ecology and Creative Writing. These subjects were fascinating to learn and I would never have thought that I would have been able to grasp them. But at Newbattle Abbey College, the tutors take their time and are the friendliest warmest people I have ever come in contact with in education. “

When he finishes his degree, Jamie hopes to work in Marketing or Public Relations.
“I would recommend returning to education to every mature person as it has totally changed my life. Do not be afraid to ask for help and do not be ashamed if you don’t understand. There are tutors who will take the time and care and places like Newbattle Abbey College which will help in preparing you for University with a caring attitude.”

Transition and Pre-entry Guidance Adviser, Susan Bird, at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh says: “I have worked with a number of mature students who are attending or have attended SWAP Access programmes. The students coming to Queen Margaret University (QMU) through the SWAP programme often demonstrate great determination, focus and commitment. The collaborative links between SWAP programme tutors and QMU are invaluable in providing a continuity of support for students and facilitating their transition into higher education.”

To find out about SWAP Access Programmes available at your local college, call Freephone 0800 7310949 or e-mail: swapeast@ed.ac.uk