Two students who became friends while at Middlesbrough College have returned to the college as tutors.
Charlie McArthur and Adam Brown met while they were both studying at Middlesbrough College on the Level 3 BTEC in Sport & Exercise Science between 2017 and 2019.
After becoming friends on the course, the two went their separate ways to pursue further study but still kept in touch.
Now Charlie and Adam are reunited at Middlesbrough College, but this time on the other side of the blackboard as tutors.
Charlie, 23, from Stokesley, said: “I loved my time here as a student and the staff who taught me were very influential in my decision to want to come back and work here.
“They helped me out massively in shaping who I am today and helped me to finish with the best grade I could achieve so when the chance came to come back to Middlesbrough College to teach, I jumped at it.”
After finishing his BTEC course, Charlie went on to study Physical Education at Leeds Beckett University, where he graduated with a First Class honours degree.
After graduation, Charlie stayed at Leeds to do a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) for a year before the opening at Middlesbrough College came along with Charlie now teaching on the same Level 3 BTEC Sports & Exercise Science course which he studied a few years before as well as the College’s Level 3 BTEC Sport programme.
Charlie said: “I enjoyed it so much last year and and I am now a personal tutor for one of the Level 3 BTEC Sport first year groups.”
Adam Brown, from Darlington, attributes a lot of his success in his academic career to the support he received while studying BTEC Level 3 Sports & Exercise Science at Middlesbrough College.
The 23-year-old explained: “As a student with dyslexia and low confidence, I never really thought I could achieve anything substantial, but Middlesbrough College really brought me out of my shell. The teachers strived to push towards excellence, which really inspired me.”
After studying at the College, Adam went on to Durham University where he studied a BSc in Sport & Exercise Science, graduating with a 2:1.
He then went on to do teacher training at renowned sports and physical education centre Loughborough University where he is currently doing a Masters degree in Education.
Adam said the idea of returning to teach at Middlesbrough College was “a no-brainer” when he was offered the opportunity.
He explained: “The reason I wanted to work at the College was the fact that I knew as a student the teachers enjoyed working here and helping their students. So for me, when a job opportunity came up it was a no-brainer.
“It’s an opportunity to make a substantial impact whilst loving the work I am doing – not many people are so fortunate to do such a thing.
“It’s also great to meet up again with Charlie after we’d studied together.”
Charlie agreed, adding: “While we were in different groups on the Sport & Exercise Science programme, we were really good friends and we kept in touch throughout university too, even though we went to different ones.
“It’s fantastic to be able to work with someone you know and get along with so well.”
Janine Tyzack, head of the Sports and Public Services department, said: “Not only are Charlie and Adam highly capable tutors, they’re also good friends so it’s brilliant for us to have them in the department.
“It’s really gratifying to hear how they got so much out of their time at Middlesbrough College, how much they wanted to return and how that’s helping to motivate their teaching here.
“Who knows, there may be some of our current students who return as tutors just like Charlie and Adam.”
The College offers a range of full and part-time Sports courses including General Sport, Fitness Instructing, Personal Training, Sports and Exercise Sciences. Courses at university level include Sports Therapy with Rehabilitation, Sports Coaching Development & Fitness.
Find out more about studying at Middlesbrough College by clicking here.
