Driven by a desire to influence and shape young lives, Sanaa has held a lifelong interest in becoming a primary school teacher. Prior to starting University, she had volunteered on a mother and child unit in a hospital in Pakistan and undertaken work experience in a Nuneaton-based primary school.

Sanaa signed up to the Foundation Year programme at Leeds Trinity to build up her understanding of the disciplines, issues and academic theories of working with children, young people and families to prepare herself for the full BA (Hons) degree. 

She quickly developed her knowledge and skills and achieved the required grades to progress onto the full degree, which she started in September 2020. The coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns meant Sanaa had to complete much of the first two years of the course online and from home, but thanks to her commitment and the support of the University community she smoothly progressed through level four and level five before returning to campus on a full-time basis for her final year.

Sanaa continued to impress during level six and, in February, won the Dean’s Award in recognition of her hard work and impressive progress throughout her time at university. Sanaa is now preparing to continue her education at Leeds Trinity on the MA in Childhood and Education.

Sanaa said: “Graduating with a degree that I have spent the last three years working towards is a very proud moment for me and I can’t thank my lecturers, the student support team, my family, especially my mother who has always stood behind me, and my friends enough for their encouragement.

“During my time at Leeds Trinity University there have been good times, hard times and of course stressful times, but when assignment pressure was overwhelming, I was always motivated to try my best in every assignment, and I feel as though my efforts have paid off.

“I am now looking forward to starting the Master’s in Childhood and Education at Leeds Trinity University and I am privileged to have the opportunity to do so.”

Hannah Crooks, Programme Leader Early Childhood Studies at Leeds Trinity, said: “Sanaa has been a hardworking student who has persisted through her studies through a global pandemic, from online learning back to face- to- face in the lecture room. It has been a pleasure to teach Sanaa, who always has a smile on her face and is happy to share her experiences. Well done Sanaa for all your hard work which has paid off, and good luck with your Master’s and for your future endeavours.”

For more information on the Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year in Education and Childhood programme at Leeds Trinity University, which is available in Clearing, visit the website.