An active lifestyle has fuelled my passion for Physical Education (PE). Physical activity has played a large part in my life from dancing to competitive swimming I have always enjoyed taking part in sport and the feeling of well-being it brings.

Since starting high school it's been my ambition to become a PE Teacher. I enjoy working with people, encouraging them to participate in physical activity helping to promote a sense of confidence, well-being and achievement. To help achieve my ambition I have sought to learn as much as I can about sports coaching both academically and practically; taking a Higher in PE and taking part in activities to help to build leadership, life and technical skills. I volunteered at my local YMCA from age 13 to 16. As a Youth Worker I ran the gym for young people (aged 12 to 18) providing inductions, demonstrations and developing personal fitness plans. I've run drop-in sessions providing counselling and support helping young people with some of the issues they faced in their day-to-day lives. For my work I was awarded the Saltire Award from John Swinney MSP for 500 hours volunteering. I coach Netball for 1st to 5th Year after school as well a running the Basketball club during lunchtime, whilst this is done in my own time it is very rewarding. I am also an Active Schools Young Sport Ambassador for my school, specialising in Basketball. The Young Ambassadors programme has led to me attaining qualifications in First Aid, Disability Inclusion Training, Young Sports Leaders and Child Protection. I have been trained to handle the day to day situations I may find myself in when I am working in schools as a coach. I have experience in promoting sports and awareness as part of community charity work. I organised a netball match between pupils and teachers for the benefit of St. Andrews Hospice (one of our school charities I am an ambassador for). This was a great event promoting awareness of netball, our school team; whilst raising funds for a very worthwhile cause.

This year I have had the opportunity to take 1st and 2nd Year PE classes each week. This has allowed me to put into action the skills and experiences I have in the environment I want to work in - a high school sports department, planning and delivering lessons. I have also worked with local primary schools as an Active Schools Co-ordinator to organise sports coaching sessions for the pupils. These experiences were quite different and have provided great insight and learning experiences. They have reinforced the passion I have to work with young people. I am a school Prefect taking a lead in school activities, acting as a role model for the other pupils in the school. This role brings a lot of responsibility and allows me to provide and demonstrate leadership in a variety of situations.

Outside of school my hobbies are physical fitness and music - playing both the guitar and bagpipes. I have had the privilege of being part of the North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band and playing at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow and taking part in the World Pipe Band Championship (achieving a first place for our grade). I also work part-time for Greggs. Working in a fast paced retail environment over the past year has helped me to develop good organisational skills, work with others to achieve goals and develop my customer service skills (I have won several mystery shopper awards for my work).

In conclusion I am confident and hard-working individual. I have worked hard to amass the academic, technical and life skills to achieve my ambition to attend University and get the opportunity to pursue my ambition to teach PE. I believe I have both the attitude and aptitude to thrive in a vibrant university environment.