Inspirational mature student and mother enrols on doctorate after discovering a passion for research

Tanya Sharples, 40, from Ellesmere Port, has experienced a seamless education journey at the University of Chester. She has enrolled on EdD (Doctor of Education) after successfully completing a BA in Primary Education Studies followed by an MA in Education, Society and Globalisation (now titled MA Education, Children and Social Justice), all at Chester’s School of Education and will start her course October 2026. 

Tanya said a newly discovered love of research found during her MA studies has fuelled her drive to take on an EdD. Tanya worked with academics Dr Paula Hamilton, Programme Leader for MA Social Justice and Globalisation in Education and Dr Luke Jones, Subject Leader for Physical Education from the University’s School of Education, on a research paper entitled ‘“Everyone’s watching.” Examining the reluctance shown by some children to participate in primary physical education and sports day’ which was published by Education 3–13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.   

On completion of her MA Tanya supported Paula to deliver a research session on data analysis and how to structure a dissertation with level 6 undergraduates. 

Tanya wishes to further research the impact of sports days and how to make them more inclusive in her doctorate studies.  

She said: “I just didn’t feel I was finished with my research and I wanted to carry on and explore more. My dissertation explored the feelings of primary school children and now I want to focus on that journey right the way through school. I want to find out how we can make sports day more inclusive.” 

Alongside her studies, Tanya looks after her eight-year-old son with help from friends who help her balance a busy job at a health club where she works as a Family Supervisor. 

Tanya said: “I approach the role by really considering the children and their thoughts and feelings as I have focused so much on PE and sport in my studies. We’ve been listening to the children and for those who don’t like sport we’ve been bringing in creative classes such as arts and crafts, so it isn’t all about sport. 

“It’s been hard juggling looking after my son and working, but I have a good group of friends who support me if lectures are late and he needs collecting from school. 

“The University has been so helpful when it came to arranging my placements and putting me in schools close to my son’s school. I couldn’t have it done it without the support of my lecturers.” 

Tanya had previously worked for the ambulance service but after COVID she decided to follow a life’s dream of returning to study, starting with an Access course at college all the way through to her degree.  

She added: “I would say to anyone who wants to return to studying to just do it! There’s loads of support out there and if you form good relationships with your tutors you’ll fly through it, especially if you find something you’re really interested in.” 

Dr Paula Hamilton said: “I am immensely proud of all that Tanya has accomplished.

“She is a shining example of how just much students can achieve, both personally and professionally, when they work hard and form close working relationships with tutors and peers; perhaps even exceeding their original goals.  

“I am really looking forward to seeing how Tanya’s research ideas progress as she moves to doctoral study in the School of Education.” 

To find out more about enrolling on the one-year MA Education, Children and Social Justice visit Education, Children and Social Justice MA | University of Chester