Laura Twomey

BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice

Special Needs Assistant in a DEIS Secondary School

For many of our students, returning to study is a huge step in their personal and professional growth. This has been especially true for Laura Twomey, whose decision to pursue her honours degree reflects something she now hopes to show her own children: it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Laura is currently in the final year of her BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice at Portobello Institute, building on her experience as a special needs assistant (SNA) and working towards an academic goal she has held for many years.

Reconnecting with Education

Before starting her studies at Portobello, Laura worked in administration. She always felt drawn to working with children, and after having her third child, she decided it was time to see what that interest could become.

“I started with an SNA course and later completed a Therapeutic Play Skills module, which gave me a strong foundation and encouraged me to explore this area further,” explains Laura.

“Those courses helped me rebuild my confidence in learning and eased me back into studying after being away from education for some time.”

Moving into an SNA role was a clear turning point for Laura. She found a genuine sense of achievement in supporting students and saw how meaningful the work could be.

“The role helped me grow in areas like emotional support, communication, and inclusive practice,” she says. “The more experience I gained, the more motivated I became to keep learning and take on greater responsibility, which is what led me to pursue a level 8 degree.”

A Dream Within Reach

Some ambitions stay with you, even when life leads you down a different road for a while. For Laura, achieving a level 8 qualification was one of them.

“Now, as a mother of three, I want to show my children that it is never too late to follow your dreams – that the choices you make when you’re young do not define your whole future,” she says.

“Returning to education was something I did for myself: to grow, to challenge myself, and to build a career I really care about.”

The right degree – one that could fit around work and family life – made this possible.

Laura chose Portobello Institute because its BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice aligned with her goals and commitments. She wanted a programme that would strengthen her current role while keeping future options, like teaching or play therapy, open.

She recalls: “The flexibility of online learning was important as it allowed me to balance studying with work and family life.

“Portobello also offered a flexible payment option, which showed me the team understood the different needs of students and were making education more accessible.”

A Journey of Growth, Reassurance, and Rediscovery

From the initial fear of returning to education to gradually finding her feet and building confidence, Laura’s time at Portobello has evoked “a mix of emotions”.

“At the beginning, I worried about whether I could manage assignments, as doing a degree was a big step up from other modules I had completed,” she says.

“Still, over time, I developed a better understanding of how to approach tasks and what worked best for me as a learner.”

Portobello’s early years and inclusive education tutors helped with that, each bringing a different style of teaching and guidance. This, Laura adds, allowed her to figure out how she learns best and what helps her stay motivated.

“Looking back, my experience was a journey of growth, reassurance, and rediscovery,” she shares. “It reminded me that I’m capable of learning, adapting, and succeeding, even when life feels busy or challenging.”

Learning That Made a Difference at Work

As Laura became more confident in her studies, she also began to notice the impact of that learning in her day-to-day role as an SNA.

The programme gave her space to reflect on the experience she already had while developing new knowledge she could bring back into her work with students.

“The course has helped me a lot by giving me confidence, knowledge, and reflective skills to support the students I work with every day and to keep learning as I move forward,” she says.

“Studying inclusive education practice helped me build on the experience I already had and deepened my understanding of how to support students more effectively. It helped me grow in confidence, both as a learner and in my professional role.”

Flexibility and a Shared Experience

Laura’s programme is delivered through blended learning, with online lectures forming a key part of how she studies.

“The flexibility of the programme makes it ideal for anyone balancing study with work or family life, and the structure helps you build confidence gradually,” she says. “It gave me the chance to return to education in a way that felt manageable and realistic in my life.”

Despite studying remotely, she says there is still a strong sense of community within her peer group.

“One of the best parts of studying at Portobello was meeting new people who were in the same boat as me. We shared advice, supported each other, and helped one another through the tougher moments,” Laura shares.

Stepping outside her comfort zone also became an important part of the experience.

“Group projects and even creating podcasts were things I’d never imagined I’d be able to do,” she notes. “But with the guidance of tutors and the encouragement of great peers, those challenges became manageable and, in the end, genuinely achievable.”

Applying Theory to Real Situations as an SNA

As part of the BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice at Portobello, students undertake 100 hours of professional placement in an inclusive environment during each academic year.

Laura completed hers during her regular working hours as an SNA. This made the requirement easier to manage alongside her other commitments and gave her the opportunity to apply what she was learning in a setting she already knew well.

She points out: “This experience taught me to appreciate teamwork and communication in achieving shared goals. It also reminded me how rewarding it is to see students progress and succeed.

“Applying theory to real situations deepened my understanding of inclusive education and strengthened my belief that teaching is the right path for me.”

Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind Her Work

Laura’s passion for inclusive education is rooted in the everyday difference she can make for the students she works with.

She explains: “Working as an SNA showed me how powerful small moments of patience, understanding, and encouragement can be.

“Seeing a child relax, open up, or feel proud of themselves because someone took the time to support them made me realise this is the work I truly care about.

“I want every child to feel seen, valued, and capable, especially those who may need a little extra reassurance.”

Laura’s studies also gave her a new perspective on her role as an SNA and where she wants to take it next.

“This course became the stepping stone that helped me deepen my passion. It gave me a better understanding of the ‘why’ behind what I was already doing instinctively and offered me new approaches I could use straight away,” she says.

“More than anything, it reminded me that I’m capable of growing, learning, and building a future that reflects the kind of support I want to give to children every day.”

Laura’s Next Chapter

As Laura approaches the final stage of her degree, she is looking ahead to what could come next, with teaching one of the possibilities she is keen to explore.

“My goal is to use this qualification as a step towards teaching and begin the next phase of my journey – something I have really been working towards,” she says.

“Even though I’m still exploring what exact direction I’ll take next, the course has opened new possibilities and given me a solid foundation to build on.”

Reflecting on the experience, Laura adds: “For where I am in my life and career, it was the right step forward. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to develop and keep their future options open.”