Back to school

A year ago 20 women from across East Brighton agreed to train as classroom assistants. Now they have begun looking for jobs.

Debbie McCluskey has not worked for years. The mother-of-three has been a full-time housewife since the birth of her first child 11 years ago. But everything changed last year when she spotted a leaflet about the Urban Classroom Assistants Project at her local library.

The course was free. Even childcare, bus fares and stationery needed were re-imbursed. It required no previous qualifications and the lessons and prospective jobs fit around school hours. It was the opportunity she had been looking for.

Mrs McCluskey, of Picton Street, Brighton, said: "My youngest child had started school and I was looking to do something. I felt I wanted to do something for myself. I have looked after everyone else in the past and thought I would put myself first for a change.

"But I had to make sure whatever I did fitted in with the children. A classroom assistant's job would be ideal. The project, designed specifically for women, is funded by the European Social Fund and money from Brighton and Hove Council's Single Regeneration Budget.

It aims to help people from the Whitehawk, Kemp Town and Queen's Park areas who are on jobseekers' allowance or a means-tested benefit like income support, family credit or housing benefit to gain qualifications and also get invaluable work experience and practical help with job application skills.

Project co-ordinator Kate Honeyford said: "Joining the course is a big step for many of the women to have taken. Many of them have a lot of problems at home and have had to make a huge effort to move on in their lives. The course represents a huge commitment from them to getting into work."

The women, many of whom left school with no qualifications, were given a 60-hour induction designed at helping them get back into studying and at building their self-confidence before work began on City and Guilds qualifications.

At every step of the way a network of support from the Brighton Women's Centre was on offer. Advice on welfare rights, legal and health matters was available as well as personal counselling if needed. Mrs McCluskey was supported by her family but still found it hard to return to the classroom.

She said: "Starting the course was hard at first, especially meeting new people. It was also quite a commitment, but with time things got easier. Although there have been times when I just wanted to give it all up, as we all got to know each other we were able to help one another and the atmosphere has been very supportive. I am looking forward to getting a job."

The project supports the Education Action Zone in Brighton and is also linked to the Government's aim to increase the number of classroom assistants. Ms Honeyford said local primary school head teachers have welcomed the women into their schools and helped them.

She said: "Schools are always desperate for another pair of hands and we have found that, when they know they are contributing towards the training of qualified classroom assistants, they are very supportive."

In the classroom the women help children who need extra attention in small groups and help teachers with all the smaller tasks they do not find time to do. Single mum Maureen Langford, 52, is one of the older women on the course, held in the community room at the East Brighton College of Media Arts, Wilson Avenue.

She believes the lessons she has learned about dealing with children and how to improve her own self-confidence have helped her encourage her 15-year-old daughter to get more out of school.

She said: "The course has really brought me out of my shell and enabled me to speak out more about what I think and want. I have really enjoyed it which has helped me talk to my daughter when I had problems with her not wanting to go to school."

Mrs Langford, of Swanborough Road, said that the fact her expenses were re-imbursed was invaluable and without that she would not have been able to take part.

She also said first aid training and help with writing her CV had encouraged her to go out and find a job. "It has encouraged me to look in the paper each week for jobs because I know I am qualified," she said.

Three members of the original course have already found jobs and the others are hopeful they will be next to return to the job market. An awards ceremony is being held to mark their achievement on March 14. Eleven other women have already signed up for the next course.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.