Monique Warburton

My name is Monique Warburton, and I studied the Level 6 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at South Essex Colleges Group. This is my story.

Before starting my PGCE, I worked in special needs care, supporting young people in my local community. I helped them develop independence while also giving their parents some much-needed respite. Through this work, I realised how much I enjoyed helping others grow and achieve their potential, which inspired me to pursue a career in teaching.

My journey back into education started with an Access to Teaching course. This helped me rebuild my confidence, especially in academic writing, and prepared me for studying at a higher level. I then went on to complete four years of Special Needs Studies before taking a break. After spending so much time studying at South Essex Colleges Group, I chose to return in 2023 to complete my PGCE because I already felt comfortable, supported and part of the community. Staying local at the Southend City College campus made it easier for me to take that next step after being away from education for a while.

Studying for my PGCE was one of my biggest achievements. I developed a wide range of skills, including lesson planning and using digital tools like Kahoot and Blooket to support learning. Throughout the course, the tutors were incredibly supportive and always encouraged me to keep going, even when things felt challenging.

Since graduating, I have gone on to work at the college as part of the Adult Workforce Skills team. I started as an iPrep tutor, teaching employability skills such as health and safety, money management and mental health first aid. I also delivered sessions in counselling skills and support work before progressing into teaching Business Administration and IT.

Now, I help learners develop key digital skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Cyber Security. I really enjoy this role because it allows me to continue learning myself while helping others build the skills they need to achieve their own goals.

My time at South Essex Colleges Group not only prepared me for the workplace but also helped build my confidence as a person. Completing both my degree and my PGCE are among my proudest achievements, alongside raising my children and working full-time.

The best thing about further education is working with learners who genuinely want to be there and succeed. It makes the experience so rewarding. I would absolutely recommend South Essex Colleges Group because of the supportive staff, welcoming environment and accessible local campuses.

Looking ahead, I hope to open a small cooking school for students with learning disabilities. I want to help people develop life skills while also supporting them to achieve maths and English qualifications. Supporting others to gain confidence and independence is something I am truly passionate about.