My journey

Eli Heathfield tracks his education journey from a foundational course for students with learning difficulties to degree-level study at the University of Gloucestershire.

Eli has global developmental delay and autism
In 2010 he started a two-year course in Life Skills to help him live independently
Took further courses at Gloucestershire College in Work Skills, Employability and Volunteering
In 2015 studied for a NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Business
Studied for Levels 3, 4 and 5 qualifications and achieved a Higher National Diploma in 2021
Currently studying Level 6 Business Management and Strategy at the University of Gloucestershire to complete his degree
Eli’s learning needs are supported to ensure he can achieve his potential

My journey at Gloucestershire College began in 2010 when I enrolled in the School of Foundation Studies, the department for students with learning disabilities.

I studied Life Skills for two years to help me to learn to live independently. My second year, Life Skills Foundation, helped enhance the skills required to live independently and looked at travel in particular.

Taking study further

In 2012 I studied Introduction to Work Skills. This looked at how best to market myself for a job and how to write a CV. The following year I did a Foundation course called Introduction to Volunteering. This gave me some great opportunities, and I managed to learn a lot. It was also the beginning of my political journey.

I studied Adult Employability, my final course in Foundation Studies, in 2015. This helped me develop employability skills and looked at all aspects of the workplace. Throughout this time, I was part of a small class with a personal tutor and teaching assistant.

Juggling study and social life

In addition to my study, I was a Student Union Officer in my third year, working 15 hours (paid) a week. I was also a member of the G15 Student Steering Group. I also attended the Maisemore Group Riding for the Disabled classes at Hartpury. None of these activities impacted my course.

When my time in Foundation Studies came to an end, I decided I wanted to go further with my education.

Student of the Year

I applied for a course in the Business School. There wasn’t a Level 1 course, so I went straight in at Level 2. I studied the NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Business and achieved a Merit for the year. I was very proud to be one of the Level 2 Students of the Year! In 2016, I enrolled on the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma for two years. I was Student of the Year and achieved Distinctions in all my modules.

This level helped me develop organisational and public speaking skills. It helped me socially too, as I interacted with mainstream students from a range of backgrounds.

At this time, I had just been elected as a Town Councillor in my hometown of Newent, Gloucestershire. I was sitting on various working groups and, as assignments needed to be worked on at home, I learned to balance this challenge and always made sure to get ahead of the assignment schedule. I gained a Merit and also passed my GCSEs in English and maths at grade C .

Progressing to a Higher National Diploma

By 2018, I decided I may have perhaps reached my peak, but was strongly encouraged (based on my results) to progress to higher education. I chose to stay at Gloucestershire College to study the Level 4/5 Business Higher National Diploma Programme. The course was broken down into a Higher National Certificate (HNC) which looked at the operational aspects of business management. This was studied part time for two years to ensure I gave myself the maximum time to achieve the programme.

In 2020, I enrolled on the Higher National Diploma (HND). I was part of a small class with very supportive tutors and achieved a Merit.

Starting a degree

I have now enrolled at The University of Gloucestershire to top up my HND to a full degree by studying Level 6 Business Management and Strategy. I am one of a group of students that came over together from college which was good as moving up to uni was initially quite daunting.

We have a very supportive and knowledgeable tutor and I have been offered extensions if required for extra support. This is a step up for me and I will continue to aim higher.