Moving a step closer to her dream of becoming a midwife has got to be a pretty good feeling for Bede Sixth Form student Lily.

She knew that there would be plenty of competition for university places, but the 17-year-old said: “I have stuck at it and believed in myself that I could do it.”

Now with a conditional place to study midwifery at Teesside University, she is taking nothing for granted.  Lily continues to put in the hard work, studying an impressive four A level and A level equivalent courses at Bede and then getting in as much work experience and volunteer work as she can.

While restricted in the last year by the pandemic lockdowns, it has done nothing to dampen her enthusiasm.

“It has been challenging but also an opportunity for reflection and to really focus on what I want to be doing,” said the former St Michael’s Catholic Academy student.

In the second year of her studies at Bede, Lily is studying Health and Social Care, Biology, Psychology and Photography.

Strong links between the college and the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation, mean Health and Social Care students, like Lily, get the chance to access a range of expert talks, workshops and, covid restrictions permitting, work experience opportunities.

Covering training on the 6Cs, a set of values for all health and social care and social care staff, she said: “That was a big part of the university application process for becoming a midwife.  You are asked to know them and be able to apply them to different situations.”

With her heart set on a place at Teesside University, Lily clearly knew her stuff, however, she still added: “I was amazed when I found out I was being offered a place. I was exhilarated by the shock of it.”

Now coming to the end of her time studying at Bede, she said: “It’s sad to be fair, it has gone so quickly. The whole community aspect of Bede is lovely.” 

But, she is looking forward to the promise of university and a bright future ahead.