Experience

The Literacy Hubs

• United Kingdom
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Operations Officer

  • Aug 2021 - Present

  The Literacy Hubs Portsmouth is working to develop a city of confident and ambitious young people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Find out more at www.theliteracyhubs.co.ukResponsibility for operational delivery of a growing local charity, acting as a strategic partner to the CEO in setting and driving organisational vision, operational strategy, and staffing policies. Management of the Programme Team, including recruitment, performance management and development of appraisals system, and ensuring ongoing use of data and clear metrics to drive continuous improvement on the performance and impact of our learning programmes. Leading the design of The Literacy Hubs’ programmes and hubs, including overseeing the opening of our second hub in Portsmouth, the Portsea Sailors, which launched in January 2021. Overseeing the safety of each hub, and for the development and implementation of the charity’s policies and processes. Working with colleagues to identify and develop strategic partnerships to support our core charitable purpose. Currently covering for CEO whilst she is on maternity leave, leading the charity with the support of the Chair of Trustees. Show less

• Captain (Programme Lead), Pompey Pirates

  • Aug 2020 - Jul 2021

  Developed and delivered an innovative learning programme for a start-up charity, focused on developing the literacy skills of children from some of the least advantaged communities in Portsmouth. Planned, resourced, and delivered a year-long programme for the 9 – 13 age range, including the completion of three published projects (a short story collection, adventure film screened at a local independent cinema, and radio shows aired on local radio) to showcase the children’s work. Adapted the programme to move to an online platform for the duration of the Covid-19 school closures, and managed the return to in-person sessions, including overseeing necessary health & safety measures. Despite disruption caused by the pandemic, students on average made progress 50% faster than the expected rate for a usual academic year, increasing their reading age by 14 months over the course of the 9 month programme. Regular reporting to schools and management of these relationships. Developed and implemented processes for recruitment, training and management of a team of 80 volunteers, including ensuring necessary safeguarding procedures. Show less



Weald & Downland Living Museum

• United Kingdom
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Volunteer Manager

  • Jul 2019 - Apr 2020

  Working for an independent charitable organisation to oversee the management of their volunteers, in addition to managing the ten-strong Warden staff team with responsibility for elements of Health & Safety and site security. The Museum has an active volunteer base of almost 400 people. Role included undertaking recruitment, induction and continued support of volunteers and ensuring regular and pertinent communications. Frequent liaising between staff, volunteers and outside organisations, requiring the use of strong communication and negotiation skills. Show less

• Interim Learning & Schools Manager

  • Jan 2019 - Jul 2019

  During this fixed term contract I took over management responsibility for several departments to provide one of the Senior Management Team with additional time. Role included managing the Adult Education provision, Schools Services, Family Activities and Outreach for an independent Open Air Museum set in a 40-acre site in the South Downs National Park. Budget responsibility for all areas, and line management of 6 staff. Ensuring the delivery and facilitation of over 80 courses and evening talks on a range of rural trades, crafts, skills and conservation techniques, in addition to visits from approximately 5,000 school children over the course of six months. Planning and delivering seasonal outdoor and indoor activities for families to help them engage with the site and collections. Overseeing the induction of two new staff members and liaising with various tutors, volunteers, colleagues and visitors. Regularly reporting in to the Director to provide information on budgets, planning and engagement from a variety of audiences. Show less

• Schools Services Officer

  • Jun 2016 - Jul 2018

  Managing and co-ordinating the schools offer for an independent charity focused on the conservation of traditional buildings. Job role includes leading a team of staff, free lance practitioners and volunteers to ensure the delivery of high quality educational visits to a variety of different school groups. Developing, resourcing and marketing new workshops in line with curriculum changes. Organisation and implementation of several event days and special programme weeks throughout the year; taking these from planning stage to completion and overseeing promotion, staffing, and funding. Managing department budgets for staffing and resourcing of workshops. Preparing regular reports on department activities, progress and statistics on visitor numbers and income generated as well as analysis of visitor data and feedback. Use of SAGE to raise invoices for visiting groups. Personally meeting and greeting every school group in order to act as an effective point of contact throughout the visit and manage group visits to the site to ensure a high level of customer service. Show less



Biddenham Upper School (Biddenham International School and Specialist Sports College)

• Head of History

  • Sep 2015 - May 2016

  Subject leader for History in a 11-18 age range comprehensive school. In addition to normal teaching responsibilities I managed a small team consisting of experienced teachers and trainees to deliver the history curriculum across the age range, ensuring good recruitment numbers at GCSE and A level. Left role due to relocation. Subject leader for History in a 11-18 age range comprehensive school. In addition to normal teaching responsibilities I managed a small team consisting of experienced teachers and trainees to deliver the history curriculum across the age range, ensuring good recruitment numbers at GCSE and A level. Left role due to relocation.



Sailing Holidays

• United Kingdom
• Leisure, Travel & Tourism
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Flotilla Hostess

  • Mar 2014 - Jul 2015

  Working as part of a team of three to manage and maintain a group of 12 boats for a flotilla holiday company based in the Greek Islands. Job role included providing 24 hour assistance to clients on holiday, daily face to face contact with clients, responsibility for resolving any issues or complaints that arose, in addition to planning and organising events and competitions. During the course of the season I took responsibility for preparing the yachts for the first client arrivals, supervising and completing the cleaning and equipping of all 12 boats, taking them from their winterised state to an exceptionally high standard appropriate for clients to stay aboard. Continued to successfully manage a team of cleaners for the duration of the season. Led daily briefings for large groups of clients to provide them with essential local knowledge of our destinations and answer any queries that they might have had. On a weekly basis organised and oversaw multiple successful events where it was necessary to cater, provide entertainment, and liaise with third parties. To this end successfully fostered and maintained links with local suppliers and business owners. Maintained an excellent customer service record. Responsibility and control over the finances for the flotilla, balancing accounts on a fortnightly basis. Maintained and regularly updated social media site for the flotilla to ensure continued interaction with clients after the holiday. Show less



St Peter's Catholic School

• United Kingdom
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Deputy Head of Year

  • Sep 2012 - Dec 2013

  Jointly responsible for managing a year group of 240 pupils, compiling and analysing data to track and improve their attainment and resolving any behavioural issues that arose. Facilitated communication between staff, pupils and parents. Led a team of tutors in delivering a pastoral programme to the year group. When necessary co-ordinated intervention from external agencies, such as police and child protection agencies. Planned and delivered weekly assemblies, as well as organising and maintaining regular rewards schemes and competitions for the year group. Fostered a good relationship with pupils to ensure that they were happy to approach me with any problems they were having. First point of contact for parents who had any concerns or issues that impacted on student wellbeing or progress. Show less

• Teacher of History and Politics

  • Sep 2009 - Dec 2013

  Planned and delivered lessons across the 11 – 18 age range in a voluntary aided comprehensive secondary school. Worked as part of a growing department to create and share resources. Successfully increased student uptake of the subject by 900% over the course of 4 years. Arranged and accompanied several off-site visits including trips to local museums, regular three day visits to the WW1 Battlefields of Belgium and France, and week long trips to Germany and Poland, in addition to organising successful in-school events and competitions. Responsible during residential trips for the safety and welfare of the students, including the preparation and implementation of relevant risk assessments. Successfully planned, resourced and implemented several new A-level schemes of work which were subsequently used by other members of the department. Collected and used student data to effectively track progress and intervene where necessary to ensure that pupils achieved or exceeded their target grades. Consistently achieved above 70% A* - C grades in GCSE classes over the course of 4 years. Also led several inset sessions for the staff body, presenting to around 80 colleagues. Show less



Sunseeker Sales Group

• France
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Brokerage Assistant and PA to Director

  • Oct 2007 - Aug 2008

  Provided admin support to one of the Directors of a large luxury motor yacht brokerage, in addition to working as part of the sales team. Duties included keeping the company database updated with current client and boat details, handling sales enquiries, and creating and managing displays in both the offices and at international sales expositions. Provided admin support to one of the Directors of a large luxury motor yacht brokerage, in addition to working as part of the sales team. Duties included keeping the company database updated with current client and boat details, handling sales enquiries, and creating and managing displays in both the offices and at international sales expositions.