Matt Andrews - DTL Humanities
Matt, who is responsible for establishing and delivering A Level Geography at Callywith, is the Deputy Team Lead (DTL) for humanities at the College.
What is your background in education?
After completing secondary school in Penzance, I went on to study at Truro College to complete my A Levels. It was my time at Truro which helped me to discover my interest in everything Geography. I studied for a BSc in Geography at the University of Southampton and then following a couple of years of work and travel I went on to complete my teacher training in secondary Geography at the University of Bristol. I have since worked at both the Truro and Penwith sites, teaching A Levels in Geography, World Development and Environmental Science alongside teaching Geography on the International Baccalaureate.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
Geography helps to explain the past, present and future of our world, it helps us to identify humanity’s successes and failures and encourages us to learn from both and drive the planet forward responsibly - I can’t think of anything more important. Since working in education there is one clear factor which keeps me motivated, it’s the students that I see every day that keeps me inspired. I’ve been exceptionally lucky to teach such talented and enthusiastic young people from all over Cornwall and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them succeed and progress onto great things.
What does your role involve?
I am responsible for establishing and delivering our A Level Geography and A Level Environmental Science courses at Callywith. I continue to work closely with friends and colleagues from Truro and Penwith College to ensure the courses provided are of the same high quality, allowing students to achieve their best.
Why do you think Cornwall needs Callywith College?
I know first-hand what an impact post-16 education can have on your life direction. I joined Truro College feeling a little directionless from school. I quickly found an interest in my subjects and really appreciated the support and advice given to me by fantastic lecturers, some of whom I have the pleasure of working alongside today. I left Truro with a strong set of A Level results far exceeding my own expectations and have gone on to have a very rewarding career. I therefore feel strongly about the need for exceptional post-16 education to be offered to all students across Cornwall - Callywith certainly helps fill the gap for some students where distance to Truro is just such an incredible hurdle.
What about working with Callywith College do you enjoy the most?
I am very fortunate to have taught so many enthusiastic and eager students who have a strong passion for the planet and an eagerness to learn about our world. I am so proud of their fantastic achievements to date and I’m very happy with the amazing Geography course we’ve created. I have also enjoyed working with my Callywith colleagues in setting up our outstanding new College and the challenges that we have been able to take on together.
What one thing about you might surprise people?
I enjoyed Modern History much more than Geography at school, I hope the Historians don’t see this!
When you’re not working, what is your favourite thing to do?
Anything on, in or under the sea!
What advice would you give students considering applying for Geography Callywith College?
If you enjoy learning about the diversity of Earth’s environments, cultures and the geopolitical interactions that affect us on a daily basis and want to know more about the world that you will go on to explore, then you will not be disappointed if you choose Geography. The course gives a fantastic and up-to-date insight into the state of the world through studying a wide breadth of landscapes, issues and places