Will is a former student who went to work in industry and is now back teaching Engineering.
We asked him some questions about his time at The Henley College.
Please tell us who you are, where you come from and what you are doing now.
My name is Will Gleave, I was originally working in industry as a 3D printer repair and service technician. Previous to this I was at University studying product design, and previous to that I was a student studying BTEC Engineering at The Henley College.
When did you come to The Henley College, what did you study here, and how did you get on?
I studied Level 3 BTEC Engineering, and I achieved D*D*D* grade.
What was your first impression of The Henley College?
The Henley College immediately appealed to me as it was very different to any other college I had visited. The open campus and attitude towards student independence and responsibility really resonated with me as someone who felt they needed a ‘step up’ and a change from secondary school.
Why did you choose to come here? What helped make up your mind?
The course was really appealing, the teachers were really friendly and again I really liked the look and feel of the campus and college environment.
What is your best memory of your time at The Henley College and why?
I think my best memories were in my engineering class, with a group of like-minded other students all having a good laugh with each other and my teacher. It is a completely different environment to school and you really feel that once you’ve settled in.
Did you always want to do what you are doing now?
I did, but was unsure if I was able to as I didn’t do my teaching qualification at uni. Thankfully I’m able to do my teacher training alongside teaching.
What has influenced your decisions about the subjects you have studied and the career path you have chosen?
I am very technically minded so have always gravitated towards design/engineering based subjects. I also very much enjoy teaching and helping others even when I was a student, so teaching felt a natural progression for me to be a teacher professionally.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I would love to move up the ranks in the college and become a course coordinator and eventually curriculum leader of engineering.
What do you think The Henley College did for you – aside from the qualifications you gained?
The Henley college gave me a whole new load of confidence that I never had before as it allowed me to be independent and manage a lot of my own free time. I enjoyed being responsible for my own work, and given the freedom to choose how I used my free periods and free time to complete work. I feel I gained a lot of confidence as well as personal responsibility which has stayed with me ever since.
If you had one piece of advice for a 15-16 year old thinking about their future, what would it be?
Never be afraid or shy away from trying something new, that is what life is all about. Go with what your heart feels is right rather than what you think you should do. Work hard and get qualifications you can be proud to have accomplished.
