Last updated 09:59, Friday, 07 November 2008

A student who left school at 16 has become a role model for higher learning in Cumbria.

Laura Minns

As a 15-year-old pupil on work placement, Laura Minns was such a hit with children at Rosley Primary School she decided to make a career in teaching.

“I had always loved children but I suddenly realised it was what I wanted to do with my life,” said Laura, now 18, of Scholar’s Green, Wigton.

“A supply teacher actually thought I was a third-year university student because I had such a rapport with the reception class.”

Now studying for a degree in nursery teaching at the University of Cumbria, she believes leaving school at 16 was one of the best decisions she ever made.

After signing up for a two-year National Diploma in Health Studies at Carlisle College she came out with triple distinctions.

“I know if I had stayed on at school I would not have done as well because I would have been studying A-levels that I wasn’t really interested in.

“On my Health Studies course I was in college for three days and back at Rosley School for vocational experience the other two days which I absolutely loved.”

The creation of the University of Cumbria gave Laura her next big opportunity.

“I wanted to train to become a nursery teacher but I could not have afforded to do a degree elsewhere. By studying in Carlisle I can live at home although I also work part-time in the Sun Inn near Wigton.

“For me the University of Cumbria has been brilliant.”

Education is in the family as mother Cathra is a nursery teacher at Ireby School and sister Charlotte has just started a child care course.

Janice Nichols, project officer with Cumbria Higher Learning, has now chosen Laura as the latest educational role model for its web site.

“Laura is a terrific example of someone successfully accessing a local college and doing incredibly well and then moving onto the University of Cumbria to achieve her goals,” she said.

Laura hopes to be a headteacher and work abroad.

“I lived in Cyprus and Dubai when I was younger and I’ve always wanted to teach in another country.”