William Northam Winner 2014
Tue, 15 Jul 2014 15:01:00 BST
Claire Hamilton, a final year Childhood Studies BA(Hons) has been selected to receive the 2014 William Northam Prize after being nominated by Course Leader Ceri Daniels and Head of Division Dr Andrew Youde. Unlike other awards bestowed at the graduation ceremonies, the criteria for the William Northam prize are based on personal development rather than academic achievement.
As Ceri says, “While Claire has achieved some outstanding academic success (First Class Honours), the aspect that has been most significant for her tutors and the University is the incredibly positive impression she has made with our partner institutions as an ambassador for child-centred practice. We believe that Claire has made a very important contribution to our partnerships with a number of local schools in the positive and professional way she has conducted herself. Claire has acted as a conduit between us and placement mentors and enabled the course team to build positive networks and relationships that will directly benefit future students at the University of Huddersfield. Claire has also been involved in several fundraising events for children’s charities which have helped to promote the course, the School of Education and Professional Development and the University".
After hearing the good news, Claire commented, “I am completely overwhelmed by the award, really unexpected. I was very emotional when I found out, especially when I got the letter and read what the award was for. It was really special. Getting a first class degree was all I focused on, so to achieve that was a massive relief and I was so proud. But to get an award as well for getting what I actually set out for seemed really special, really special, that’s how it made me feel. It’s made me feel like the work I put in was reflected in the degree I was awarded. The fact that somebody recognised something additional and then nominated me for an award is what made me emotional.
The course was brilliant. I loved it! It’s not always easy, but then a degree shouldn’t be, really varied, really flexible, really interesting. I think that is really important because, obviously you are there for three years and the workload is really heavy. If you are not interested and it doesn’t suit you as a person and what you are aiming for then you can become disengaged. But the facilities are amazing, the tutors are amazing, the resources are great so as long as you know what you want and what you are doing with it. It can be a really brilliant experience. I was able to make it suit what I needed perfectly to take it forward".
She offers the following advice to anyone considering this degree“If you want to work with children even if it’s teaching, social work, in a hospital, wherever, this course is an amazing platform to get those jobs. You can select the modules relevant to you and your needs. Also, within the modules, you can often tweak and tailor the assessments and the assignments so they meet your needs. So in terms of gaining experience and knowledge of the career that you want to go into it’s fantastic. Don’t go into it thinking that as a Childhood Studies student you are necessarily you are going to walk into a profession. You may need to take further study to enter your chosen career. But I know now that when I do go into teaching training I couldn’t be any better prepared for it".
