Amazing Alumni - Jonathan Cliffe

Jonathan joined Warrington & Vale Royal College two years after leaving high school. Due to life events and circumstances, Jonathan left school with no GCSEs and took a couple of years out of education to gain valuable life lessons that prepared him to enter adult life. The former William Beaumont High School pupil chose to study Level 3 Health & Social Care at the college with hopes of becoming a paramedic, however, this soon changed and Jonathan decided he wanted to pursue a career in midwifery.

For anyone considering a career in the health and social care sector, Jonathan highly recommends Warrington & Vale Royal College as a starting point. He tells us that to succeed in the sector, you need a firm foundation of basic principles as well as thorough practical, theoretical and group learning; all of which Jonathan learnt during his time at college.

Since qualifying as a midwife in 2015, Jonathan has been working at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he has gained new experiences, knowledge and skills. Jonathan says no two days are the same in midwifery and therefore he is always learning. In his current role as a senior midwife, Jonathan leads a team of midwives who provide care for pregnant women with additional vulnerabilities.

Jonathan’s work in midwifery transcends his local work. Nationally, he is an editorial board member for midwifery journals, an ambassador for a charity that supports women with cancer in pregnancy, and gives his time to represent and promote the midwifery vocation to students at schools and colleges across the country. Jonathan is very happy and content working as a midwife, and when asked about his future he said: “I hear all the time about five-year plans, people asking what is next. If I have learnt anything following the global pandemic, it is to be thankful for the present.”

When asked if he had any tips for our current students looking to become successful in the health and social care sector, Jonathan said: “Believe what you can achieve, find your passion, and remember sometimes things don’t always go to plan. Determination to reach a goal is the driving force behind success. Truly listen to those around you - every individual you meet can provide you with a lesson, you just have to be ready to learn.”

Everyone at Warrington & Vale Royal College is incredibly proud of Jonathan for achieving his career goals and more. If Jonathan’s story has inspired you to change your career path or upskill within your current role, our Higher Education and Access to Higher Education courses are the perfect place to begin!