Mother and daughter in second joint graduation

A MOTHER and daughter are celebrating graduating together from the same university – for the second time.

Martha Abley-Mallett, 43, and Israel Gayton, 22, both collected degrees from the University of Exeter last year.

Now they have both been awarded postgraduate qualifications from the same institution and graduated together again.

Mrs Abley-Mallet, a mother of five, was home-schooled from the age of 11.

But, as her own children grew up, she became keen to experience higher education too.

After undertaking an access course, she completed her psychology degree last year, studying at the same time as Miss Gayton was completing her English undergraduate course.

Both went on to complete teacher training and were awarded their PGCEs at the university’s winter graduation last weekend.

Mrs Abley-Mallett, who lives on the outskirts of Exeter with husband Steve, said: “It’s been lovely for us to be able to support each other again, we were able to share experiences as we studied.

“It’s again been a challenge for both of us and, being different ages, we were able to share different advice with each other.

Mrs Abley-Mallett completed her PGCE through Exeter College and the University of Exeter, working and studying at the same time, and is now teaching psychology at Exeter College.

Miss Gayton studied for a PGCE in English and now works at Uffculme School in Devon.