Top marks for South West College Childcare Degree student Saoirse

South West College is proud to announce that Saoirse Mc Cauley from Irvinestown has been announced as this year’s recipient of The Kathleen McSherry prize, awarded to the highest achieving early childhood studies student on the degree programme (from Stranmillis University College, validated by Queens University Belfast) in an academic year as determined by the Degree Classification mark at the June Board of Examiners.

Saoirse began her journey at SWC's Omagh campus, starting with the foundation degree in Early Childhood studies before progressing to the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies at South West College in collaboration with Stranmillis, Queen's University Belfast. Balancing her studies part-time with work in a childcare setting, Saoirse was able to gain valuable experience in the field while earning a First Class Honours degree at the College.

Upon receiving the Kathleen McSherry prize, Saoirse expressed her gratitude for the support and guidance she received from her tutors at SWC. She highlighted the benefits of studying locally, stating that it allowed her to earn money, gain experience, and pursue her education simultaneously. Saoirse is now set to pursue her lifelong dream of obtaining a PGCE in Liverpool, a goal she says has been made possible by her success at SWC. She credits the College for providing the foundation and support needed to achieve her aspirations.

Anne Fox, Saoirse's Course Director, along with the Childcare team at the College, were delighted for Saoirse and praised her as a deserving winner. Anne said:

"Saoirse McCauley is one of the many students who has completed the BA(Hons) Degree in Early Childhood Studies at South West College in collaboration with Stranmillis, Queen's University Belfast. The programme has been running in the Omagh campus for over 2O years and is taught on a part-time basis over a 4-year period. Among the various career opportunities within the early years sector those interested in primary school teaching can undertake a 1-year PGCE at Stranmillis University College or University of Ulster(Coleraine.)

“The Early Years team and college management would like to extend a huge congratulations to Saoirse, who not only achieved a First-Class honours degree but was also the recipient of the prestigious Kathleen Mc Sherry award for highest performing student this academic year. We are delighted and proud of her accomplishment and wish her continued success in the future."

The high standards of the course were further acknowledged as South West College welcomed an External Examiner to the Omagh campus, who spoke highly of Saoirse's accomplishments and the overall course delivery at the College.

Philippa Thompson, Nottingham Trent University, commented: “It was truly a pleasure to meet staff and students so committed to the discipline of Early Childhood Studies. Everyone I met demonstrated high standards of academic and practice knowledge and students spoke really highly of the continuing support that they receive from their lecturers".

She was accompanied on her visit by Sheelagh Carville, Head of Early Childhood Studies from Stranmillis University College. Sheelagh was delighted to hear of the continuing strength of the BA programme in Omagh, which has formed part of a collaborative relationship between Stranmillis, Queen's University Belfast, and SWC since 1997.