Exeter Chiefs Hitz add to team

By Mike Smith

25/11/20

Exeter Hitz would like to welcome the newest member of staff to our team Callum Pope. We are excited to support Callum on his journey towards a career in education and helping us grow the Hitz program in Devon. Callum's work ethic, kindness and desire to be successful and help support our young team makes us incredibly proud to be supporting him on his journey, we look forward to sharing his progress as a member of staff.

"Back in April 2020, I was a student on the HITZ program during the first period of lockdown" said Callum. "I was enrolled on the Level 2 Employability course and made sure to attend the online lessons every day with Lewis and Gareth. I have always loved helping others and so I approached Lewis and expressed my interest and availability to help. To my surprise Lewis very kindly said that he would love to offer me a role on the program. Excited was the best way to describe how I felt and so as a result I accepted" he continued.

"Helping with lots of paperwork back in August is where I started and in September my first year of students arrived. I was a little nervous to begin with as I felt no one would take me seriously. I soon realised however that this was not the case and the students all showed me a great deal of respect. In my opinion, I feel I am progressing well in my role and have gained a lot of confidence regarding discipline and general conversation. It has been great watching students grow already and develop friendships with one another also. I have always wanted to work with young people who have come from similar scenarios to myself and the HITZ program offers me this opportunity. A personal highlight of my new role is when I took an English class for a lesson in which they started preparing for speaking and listening. I felt so accomplished after this lesson as the Students engaged well and made me feel that I was well respected and acknowledged. I am really enjoying my role and look forward to where it is going to go. In terms of progression, my plan is to complete my Level 3 Teaching assistant Apprenticeship and then follow it up with a Level 5 teaching qualification. From this, I want a long successful career in teaching. Ideally with SCL and the HITZ program. I love my job and everything about it."

Louie Griffiths SCL Hitz Tutor said of the appointment "Callum excelled as a student and showed all the qualities necessary to be a teaching assistant. He regularly helped other students and is a natural in the classroom. Due to the success of the program and the number of students enrolled a position was made available. Callum was put forward for the position and began his apprenticeship in September. His diligent approach to workloads and organisational skills have made a significant impact to the program, he is a valued member of the Exeter Chiefs Hitz program.