Progress to Postgrad: Hollie-Anne

Posted on: 20 August 2025 by Richard Finch in Class of 2024

After graduating with a BA English Literature from the University of Liverpool in 2024, Hollie-Anne Hartley is now training to teach through a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with Qualified Teacher Status.

How did you hear about your course?

I had always wanted to be a teacher and shape the learning journeys of young people. I applied to the University of Greater Manchester (previously the University of Bolton) shortly after submitting my dissertation in 2024.

Bolton was one of the closest universities to my hometown offering the PGCE I wished to study. I had received all three offers to interview from the University of Greater Manchester, the University of Manchester and the University of Cumbria. While Cumbria and Manchester held their interviews via zoom, I was invited to Bolton to interview in-person.

From the moment I met the course lead, Georgina, I knew that Bolton was the University for me. 

How did you get to where you are now?

On the day of my interview with the University of Greater Manchester, I took a tour of the campus and an IT proficiency test, before a formal interview. The interview comprised of a few general questions about my intentions in this career, a talk-through lesson plan and that all important safeguarding question. The process was very efficient, and I was offered my place then and there.

Beginning in September 2024, as one of eight aspiring English teachers through the University of Greater Manchester, I adapted well to the expectations of the PGCE course. This was largely due to the support of the staff and my fellow trainee teachers. I would not be where I am today without the support of our course leader, Georgina, and lecturer, Zaheen, who have been a constant source of motivation to us all. Nobody quite understands the challenges of the teacher training year like other trainee teachers; without whom, I would have lost the plot by now. In this career, no day is the same. In fact, no hour is the same. This job is full of highs and lows and the support that you have access can truly make or break your experience. I was extremely fortunate to find the most amazing support system in Charlotte, Holly and Leah - a group of fantastic women, who are going to make exceptional practitioners of English.

Reflecting on my academic journey, having completed my PGCE, I have so many people to thank. Firstly, my English teachers. Between the ages of 11 and 18, I was inspired by the love and passion for English shown by mentors, Mr Mitson, Mrs Salt, Mr Joseph and Mrs Doggart. Without these wonderful teachers, I would not have seen the incredible impact that this job can have on students, like me. I am who I am today, largely, due to their influence, excellence and the passion displayed in their efforts to educate in a subject that I hold so dearly.

Continuing my studies of English Literature at the University of Liverpool was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Liverpool was my UCAS insurance choice of universities; but I truly believe I was always meant to end up in Liverpool for those three years of Undergraduate study. I owe a debt of gratitude to my professors and lecturers at the University of Liverpool for contributing to my passion for English. The group of staff behind the Literature BA were some of the most inspiring people that I have ever had the pleasure of being taught by. Dr Melissa Raines, Professor Greg Lynall, Dr Matthew Bradley, Dr Esme Miskimmin and Dr Jon Roberts will forever hold a place in my journey to the career I have dreamed of.

I was fortunate enough to build the most incredible support system, while attending the University of Liverpool. Living in Kensington Fields with Samantha, Aimee and Hannah created an unbreakable bond, as we braved our final year in Liverpool together. Splitting off into completely different areas of the country was incredibly difficult, but we have remained a constant source of support to each other through the toughest of times. My Undergraduate journey would not have been complete without the most amazing team of people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing; the University of Liverpool Raptors. This team gave me a home, when I did not find one within my own sport, and stability when I hit some of my lowest points. I found a family in this team; people who became like brothers and sisters.

Over the course of my PGCE, this team has remained a constant, and have continued to be some of my biggest supporters. The PGCE year is widely known as the toughest year of the teaching career and I have been incredibly supported by my friends, as I have endured the trials and tribulations. The University of Liverpool had such a profound impact on my education and my journey to become the educator that I want to be. While, Liverpool may not be where I currently live or study, the city of Liverpool will always be home.

Your favourite thing about your current course?       

My favourite experience as a trainee teacher has to have been watching the progress of my first year 10 class. I fought to teach the bottom set of year 10 at my placement school. Wahen I first started, there was a student who refused to write in lessons, would not write anything down at all except the date. Their book was blank for all of September and most of October. They were very keen to participate verbally and would often engage in conversations about the content with me. I developed an excellent, professional student-teacher relationship with this student. By the end of my placement, this student had progressed wonderfully. Their book was full of writing and they had engaged so well with the content. Towards the end of my time at this school, this student said to me "Miss, when you leave, I will be a better person than I was when you started". That has to be my favourite experience as a student teacher. I was fortunate enough to watch the spark come back in this student's perception of English and that was the most rewarding moment of my career to date.               

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The greatest difficulty I have experienced since leaving Liverpool, in June 2024, has been the distance in friendships. When you are studying, it is so easy to take location for granted. It becomes natural to make spontaneous plans, as friends are 'only a bus ride into town' away. After graduation, friends who were mere minutes from your front door (or even down the hall from your bedroom) become spread across the country. That, for me, has been the hardest challenge.

Everyone's lives take a serious and chaotically busy turn. It becomes more difficult to schedule in time to travel up and down the country to visit friends. It felt like one moment we were laughing in the kitchen, making pancakes and dancing to Sugababes, and the next, we were all experiencing graduate life separately in Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Chester and Clitheroe. Now, some of my dearest friends live 5+ hours away from me and, with the busyness of graduate life, staying in touch can be the greatest challenge.

Could you share one tip you wish you knew before you started

For new Undergrads - Get out there! Sign up to everything in Fresher's week, go out for a sport! The friendships you will find in team sports are nothing short of miraculous - even in sports teams you don't belong to. Go and watch some of the teams play! Go along to socials, get involved & AU night is always a great time to find your crowd. The Scholar on Roscoe Street plays the NFL every Sunday. Once you know the right spots, you will find your people. It may take some time, but once you have them, you have them for life.

Forward planning is your best friend! You'd be surprised at how many friends jump at the chance to meet up back in Liverpool - just make sure you book in plans well in advance, when it suits everyone (for us new teachers, that's half term!).

It can become so busy, so quickly, but always take some time out for you. I try to book something in with my Uni friends at least once every two/three months or so, so I always have something to look forward to! It is tough to be away from the place you had so much comfort in!

It's perfectly normal to feel homesick from your second home! It takes a while to adjust to graduate life because you're not the person you were when you left home, and that's normal!

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