What we learned watching our daughter transition from school to college

'AS PARENTS, SEEING BETHANY EVOLVE FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS ONCE QUITE ANXIOUS, INTO A YOUNG WOMAN THRIVING IN A MORE MATURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT MEANT EVERYTHING TO US'

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WATCHING your child take the next big step from school to college can feel both exciting and overwhelming.

We spoke with proud Killay parents, Helen and James Nicholas, whose daughter Bethany completed her A Levels at Gower College Swansea in 2024. Today, she’s thriving as a Medicine student at Cardiff University.

If your child is preparing to make that same transition this September, here’s what you can expect - from the early nerves to the lasting rewards.

In your opinion, what made Gower College Swansea stand out from other local colleges or sixth forms?

The open evening was a real turning point. Bethany was able to have in-depth conversations with staff about the courses and opportunities on offer. What really stood out was how personalised and ambitious the support was, it felt a step above what was available at local sixth forms.

It sparked even more enthusiasm in Bethany for the subjects she loved, and we could see she was already imagining her future there. The science facilities in particular were exceptional, especially the lab, which felt like the perfect environment for Bethany, who has always dreamed of studying Medicine at university. We left that evening feeling excited and reassured that Gower College Swansea was the right place for her.

How did you feel when Bethany first started at Gower College Swansea?