Community minded mum-of-six seizes second chance and shines at University

Amy Bradley’s resolve and results have made her a stand-out student on the BA Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) programme. Amy’s dissertation supervisor, Professor Hannah Bacon, has described her achievements as showing “what is possible with passion, ambition, self-determination, grit and a strong internal drive to succeed”.

Hannah has also congratulated Amy on her dissertation being the best piece of work she has marked, how the final year research paper tackled a challenging subject, and achieving first class grades at every level. Adding to the accolades, Amy has been awarded the University’s Hollybank Prize for Excellence in TRS.

Amy said that studying TRS at the University had been “the best decision” while finishing her degree and preparing to graduate felt “amazing” after juggling her studies with family life and serving as chair of a schools’ academy trust board.

The 47-year-old, from Rainhill in Merseyside, shared her motivation and feelings in returning to education: “It is something I have wanted for a long time. For the 20 years prior to starting my degree, I prioritised staying at home and raising my own children as well as being a foster carer for others. I loved that time, and wouldn’t change how I have prioritised my life, but returning to education was really nerve wracking because of the length of time that had passed.

“I went to university when I was 18 years old but circumstances at that time meant that I didn’t finish my course. Consequently, it was an unfinished chapter in my life, one that I knew I wanted to revisit and get closure on. I decided to go back to university because the timing worked well for where each of our six children were up to in their own lives, and I knew that if I put it off much longer, I would never do it.”   

She explained how she managed with all her commitments: “One of the hardest things about returning as a mature student with such a busy home life, has been learning how best to keep all the plates spinning without letting any smash. People often asked throughout the three years why I wasn't giving up my voluntary role as chair of the board of directors at The Three Saints Academy Trust. But I just couldn’t. I have been on the Board since its inception 11 years ago and chair for 10 of those years. It is such a rewarding role, making a difference to the standard of education for children across a number of schools, and the people I work with are some of the best professionals you will find in primary school education.

“So I learned across the three years to plan ahead, manage my time very carefully, and make every minute count. For example, when I would take my son to his Saturday morning football match, I would take some university reading with me and do it in the car during the half hour warm up session. I carried a book everywhere I went and used my 45-minute commutes to listen to podcasts - making voice notes as I went when I didn’t have access to my laptop.

“I also made sure that Sundays were given solely to my family. I never did any university work on that day so that they knew they had a day with uninterrupted time together.”

Amy took the same carefully planned approach with her dissertation, reading and starting research well in advance. Her dissertation looked at how feminist trauma theology engages with Christian ideas about the cross of Jesus, and rejects its significance for achieving redemption, particularly for those who are victims of violence and other forms of abuse.

“Because of my own first-hand experience of trauma, it was perhaps more challenging to address such a topic than it might otherwise have been, but it is precisely because of it that I felt compelled to push back against the normative feminist narrative and reclaim the cross as a site of salvation, especially for those who have had such adverse experiences,” she said.

Hannah added: “Amy presents a thoroughly creative and very powerful dissertation, covering this complex ground with care, maturity and a forensic eye for detail that moves far beyond what is expected for undergraduate level study. It has the potential to be incredibly useful for Christian survivors of abuse wrangling with issues around the cross.”

Amy said she was able to produce such work with “the excellence and expertise of the TRS staff who really helped me to believe in my own abilities”, adding: “Their unwavering support and dedication to not just me but all the students on the course has made all the difference.” She also outlined how she was extremely grateful to have a close knit and supportive cohort.

Amy now plans to study a Master's in TRS at the University of Chester. Hannah said: “We’re delighted that Amy has plans for further study. She has a phenomenal mind and I personally believe, much to contribute in the future to theological conversation on trauma, and more. Her achievements deserve to be celebrated.”