Who we are

I started work at the College in August 2002, at aged 16, working in the Apprenticeships department as an administrator. I had been diagnosed with Stargardts disease, when I was 13 years old.

After a couple of years I moved to work in the Learner Services department dealing with applications, enrolments and student finance. Access to Work have helped provide equipment and transport to enable me to get to and from work and to adapt the working environment to assist how I do my role.

I feel that I have been supported at the College to enable me to continue to contribute to the team.

I came to the College as a Learning Support Assistant and 7 years’ ago I was promoted to the role of Learning Support Co-ordinator.

My dyslexia was diagnosed within the last 5 years. Up until that time, I was unaware that I had a learning difference. I just knew that reading and writing text was really hard for me. When I had the results of my test, so many things suddenly made sense. I was then able to share my results with my line manager and HR. Using the College’s Occupational Health team, they were able to recommend the support that was needed which has helped me in my role. I have now come to understand that my learning difference is part of who I am – it does not and will not hold me back from succeeding in my chosen career.

I joined the College in 2004 in a Learning Support role. I have a visual impairment and neurological disability which affects my mobility. The College has provided support to enable me to not only fulfil my job role but also make every day less challenging.

I am privileged to support young people with disabilities and when I speak with the individual and when necessary their parents, they are able to see that I understand what challenges at times, disabilities can pose. I can provide a connection and empathy that allows me to put them at ease and ensure that they also feel supported. I feel that my role gives me the perfect opportunity to pay forward the experience that I have received.

I personally found school difficult and did not, for one minute, believe that I would seek a career in education. However, my life circumstances had changed, and I was looking for a role that fitted in with family commitments, which meant that I could only work within term time hours. I had been volunteering in a primary school and this experience led to me join the College as a Learning Support Assistant/Art Technician in September 2000.

Through a joint project with Aimhigher in 2004 I progressed to the role of mentor and was tasked to set up a pastoral mentoring service for students, and later became a Student Liaison Officer involved in national priorities. The mentoring service remains to this day where we have mentors supporting our students across all our campus sites. I am extremely proud of the work they do as they change lives and futures every day.

In 2010, I became a manager for the first time and over the years managed several teams including safeguarding & mentoring, learner experience, engagement, enrichment, careers, Learner Services HUBS/receptions, work experience, college catering facilities, mental health and personal development. Throughout this time, I was able to gain qualifications and attend training to support me on my journey.

More recently I became the College’s Deputy Safeguarding Lead, alongside being a member of the College Leadership Team and retaining oversight on the Learner Services department.

Through the ongoing support of the College, I was diagnosed officially with dyslexia later on in life, but it hasn’t stopped me being able to pursue a successful career, as dyslexic thinking can be a real asset to a team.

I love Further Education and the difference it makes to people’s lives. Often a person’s school experience can put them off education, but we are able to work with those students and show them they can have a fulfilling and rewarding career.

In 2018 I joined SSC as a in Motor Vehicle teacher as I wanted a fresh start, new opportunities and a different challenge. In 2020 I became a Teaching & Learning Coach which meant that I coached, supported and developed new and existing lecturers within the College.

I thoroughly enjoyed that role and in 2022 there became a vacancy for a Curriculum Manager – Motor Vehicle & Engineering. The team were approached about the vacancy and I decided to put myself forward seeing this as the next step in my career. I was fortunate enough that the College allowed me a “try before you buy” approach and I became interim CM from April 2022 to end September 2022. On 1 October I was appointed to the role permanently which I was delighted to accept. I am still developing in the role and are enjoying the challenge.