Search
Inspirational teacher guides CU Scarborough student on path to rewarding career
Olivia Hall
Student news
Thursday 23 April 2026
Press contact
They say our days at school are some of the most important of our lives – and for Olivia Hall that certainly proved to be the case.
The 19-year-old still remembers the huge impact one of her teachers had on her that she is now studying to be able to teach the next generation of schoolchildren.
Olivia has just finished the first year of her Primary Education and Teaching Studies course at CU Scarborough and knows she is on the route to a dream career – although things could have turned out differently.
I had always told everyone from the age of four I wanted to be a doctor but I didn’t get the grades I needed for that, however I would not want it to have happened any other way than it has as I know I will have such a rewarding career as a teacher.
When I was at school, I spent a lot of my time volunteering at the junior school and the lead member of staff who I spent my time with was so amazing. She made me realise this is what I want to do – she gave me so many fantastic opportunities such as helping to organise and run the forest school.
Olivia Hall
Olivia, who is from the village of Hackness just outside Scarborough, says that being able to study so close to home has been such a benefit to her and her life outside of her studies.
CU Scarborough, which is part of Coventry University Group, gives students set times on campus so they can pursue their studies without compromising their other commitments. There are no end-of-year exams and students take one subject module at a time while enjoying personalised support and guidance.
The course is designed to prepare students for the next step – gaining Qualified Teacher Status – which can be taken with Coventry University Group’s National Institute of Teaching and Education.
I had expected the course to be more theory-based but it has been more hands-on learning which I have really enjoyed. I’ve done 80 hours of placement and in class we do things such as creative arts and more creative learning.
CU Scarborough has given me the chance to live at home as I am very close to my family. I also work, dance and play hockey here so I can still do all those things while studying.
Olivia Hall
Typically our students choose to study with us because of the personalised approach to teaching we take, as well as the nurturing academic community and the carefully designed programmes which prepare our students for work. Olivia is a high-performing, ambitious student who thrives in this sort of environment.
Our small class sizes, the way in which we emphasise applied learning instead of traditional lectures and the varied assessment design all play to Olivia's strengths. Like alumni that have gone before her, it is clear that Olivia has a bright future in teaching which in turn benefits our local community.
Amy Matthews, Associate Head of School for Health, Science and Education at CU Scarborough
Find out more about Primary Education and Teaching Studies at CU Scarborough.
