MARIA Bani has become the first person to be offered a place on a teacher training course after taking part in a unique taster scheme for would-be teachers.

The 22-year-old, of Lovely Lane, Warrington, is studying for a degree in psychology at Edge Hill College, Ormskirk.

She will graduate in the summer and has been offered a place on a post graduate certificate in education course, with early years specialism.

Maria, a former pupil at Great Sankey High School, believes she could not have won the place without having completed a taster course for men and members of minority ethnic communities interested in entering teaching.

She said: "I was interested in primary teaching and had had some classroom experience, but it had never been structured.

"I went to Brook Acre Primary in Padgate, for the taster sessions and it was just a brilliant experience. I worked with a year one class and the teacher went through everything with me, from discipline to her relationship with the class.

"The experience not only reinforced my desire and motivation to teach but also gave me an insight into classroom management, the literacy and numeracy hours and effective teaching strategies."

Edge Hill is offering a number of taster courses, funded by the Teacher Training Agency, in early 2001.

John McManus, project officer, said: "Those who take part are not guaranteed a place on a teacher training course at Edge Hill but it will give them valuable experience and will help them decide if teaching is the career for them.

"It will give them an idea of the commitment required for a teacher training course and the opportunity to talk to newly qualified teachers and those who have been working in schools for some time."

For more information call 01695 584274.