Health & Social Care Lecturer - Layla Haynes

Layla lectures at Merton College in Surrey and lives in London with her partner and son.

The Interview

Name Layla Haynes

Location London

Family Partner and 3 year old Son.

Job title: Lecturer, Program co–ordinator Health and Social care

How did you become a lecturer? What is your background

I have a nursing and public health background. I then did graduate and post graduate studies within the social sciences and topped it all off by training as a school teacher.

How did you choose your subject?

Interest in health, social class and race issues.

What training course did you do?

Numerous, degrees, diploma and PGCE with QTS

How many hours a week was it?

Training was full-time.

Roughly, how much did your training cost?

Bursary as a teacher and student loans

Did you do a placement?

Yes, at schools in Hackney.

How did you find your first lecturing job?

In the Times newspaper.

Where do you look for vacancies? Are there specialist websites?

The Times educational supplement www.tes.co.uk is the best place I've found - both online and offline editions.

How does the job fit round your family life?

It can be tough, although I work very child friendly hours and I teach locally which makes life easier. I also examine for two exam boards

What is the earning potential?

£30K plus with examining

How many hours do you work a week?

Currently I work full-time.

Is the job rewarding?

Yes, although it can be tiring!

Do you think it is a job that fits in well with being a Mum?

Yes, teaching is the way forward!

What is the best thing about being a lecturer?

The holidays!

Any advice for a Mum or Dad wanting to start training?

Go for it, your children will benefit. It hard work, really hard work. My son starts school in January so I have reduced my hours so that I can pick him up and drop him off, I'm lucky.