From ‘remedial classes’ to successful doctoral candidate: how learning at Vaughan changed my life
to anyone out there who has been led to believe, for whatever reason, that they’re a bit rubbish… ‘no, you’re not – Believe!’
My experience of lifelong learning at Vaughan College, both when it was part of the University of Leicester and also, in more recent years, as the independent Leicester Vaughan College, has been one of positivity, affirmation, lasting friendships, and personal growth.
My journey began at the ‘old Vaughan’ in the late 90s. I was nearly 40 and I felt that I wanted to do something with my mind. I was very nervous about returning to study because I wasn’t sure that I would ‘make the grade’ but I had a real feeling that university level education was something that I had missed out on.
I had a real feeling that university level education was something that I had missed out on.
I had not even considered the possibility of applying to university when I was younger for a complex range of reasons. Firstly, I came from a very working-class background and very few people from our housing estate went to university. Secondly, my A level results had been mediocre and my personal aspirations, expectations and confidence were very low. I can trace my lack of confidence back to my primary school years when I was put into ‘remedial classes’ for help with my literacy.
It wasn’t until many years later (when I was in my 50s), that I received a formal diagnosis of specific learning difficulties – dyslexia and dyspraxia, but as a child and young adult I just felt inadequate. My father’s expectations of my academic potential were no higher than my own. When I was 10 years old, I remember him comparing me to his friend’s grandson who had just passed his 11+ examination, as we sat at the dinner table my dad jabbed his fork in my direction and snarled ‘she’ll never do owt’. I was crushed.
I came from a very working-class background and very few people from our housing estate went to university.
In the event however, and thanks to Vaughan College, I did indeed ‘do something’! When I walked into the foyer of the ‘old Vaughan’ that day in the late 90s I was welcomed by the most helpful and friendly staff who talked to me about the courses on offer there. I took a couple of certificate courses there and then, in 2005, I commenced my BA Humanities.
It was a taught part -time, which allowed me to fulfil my family and work commitments, and in person, which was very personal and allowed good relationships to form. My fellow students came from all walks of life and were doing their degrees for a variety of reasons, but we were all grateful for the opportunities that Vaughan gave us. We looked forward to our weekly classes (and the coffee break chats) and our annual study week in Oxford.
My imposter syndrome never completely went away but my fellow students and the Vaughan tutors gradually helped me to believe in myself a bit more. I remember that, when I received my first good mark for an assignment, I went home and danced, really and truly danced, around the house like a mad woman. And we learnt amazing things! We were introduced to the worlds of art, history, literature, psychology and so much more – we learnt how to think and how to question.
when I received my first good mark for an assignment, I went home and danced, really and truly danced
In 2008 I graduated with a first-class degree. But the Vaughan experience had inspired me to continue my academic journey and I have since completed an MA and a PhD and have even found myself speaking at international conferences about my PhD research.
In more recent years, as Leicester Vaughan College seeks to continue the Vaughan tradition as an independent institution, I have enjoyed attending their very varied and stimulating research forums and have also participated again as a student in a creative writing course which was fabulous, it was so good to still have the opportunity to experience something completely new.
Sadly however, Leicester Vaughan College has little money, no building, and they are not currently in a position to offer accredited degree level courses, but the dream and the determination and the dedication and the passion of the team to do so are still there. It is so important that individuals who are seeking part time, face to face, degree level education in Leicester can find it. I want more people like me to have the opportunity to ‘do something’.
I want more people like me to have the opportunity to ‘do something’.
It has not been easy to share my story but I have done so for three reasons. Firstly, to inspire any potential individuals or institutions who might be in a position to support Leicester Vaughan College in achieving their aims to please please do so. Secondly to say a huge thank you to the tutors, support staff and my fellow students at Vaughan for changing my life. And finally, to anyone out there who has been led to believe, for whatever reason, that they’re a bit rubbish, to say, ‘no, you’re not – Believe!’