A mother and her daughter are beginning a new educational journey together this week by starting a new course at the same college at the same time.
Emma Day, 52, from Hadleigh and her 16-year-old daughter Libby Powell from Ipswich have signed up to study two different programmes at Suffolk New College.
Emma, a language teacher, is gearing up for the greenhouses as she joins classmates on a level two horticulture course at the Suffolk Rural campus.
Whilst Libby is hoping to get a flying start on a health and social care programme (at the Suffolk New College Ipswich campus) as she aims to complete this programme before following a dream of joining the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Emma said: “I’ve recently gone down to three days a week (as a teacher). I’ve enrolled with the idea of eventually building up the gardening (as a future career). I like the outdoors – it’s my happy place. I’m really excited (to be starting the course).
I’ve got my plant list and my daughter has been testing me on the Latin names (of plants) – and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve heard good things about the college.”
In terms of going to college with Libby at the same time, Emma said: “I’m delighted. We will be at different campuses. But we will definitely help each other. There will be some friendly competition and I’m sure she is a little bit proud.”
Libby said: “I chose the course as I wanted to do something medical. I’m looking forward to having more independence and getting the skills I need to start my dream career with the RAF. Starting at the same college with my mum seems weird – but we will of course support each other.”
Head of marketing, Craig Shimmon, said: “Only last month, we had a mother and daughter who passed their GCSE in English at the same time. And now we are delighted to welcome Emma and Libby to Suffolk New College. They will join over 3000 students who will be beginning courses with us in what has been one of our busiest enrolment years of all time.”