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Glyn Jones. Assistant Principal: A Levels
What are your experiences before coming to teach at York College?
I studied Biology at Cardiff, specialising in Marine and Freshwater Biology. I then worked as a water biologist, followed by some time working in conservation. I then went self-employed doing aerial survey photography and professional skydiving - something I'd started while at university. After several years of this I did a Post-graduate Certificate in Education because I'd enjoyed the teaching aspect of my freefall work, and began teaching at Havering Sixth Form College in East London. I like teaching post-16 because I feel the subject is at its most exciting - real detail, but broad enough to give a ‘big picture' - and because the students are great. After a few years at Havering, I came up to work at York Sixth Form College, and have now been here for 14 years. I;ve been Head of Biology, Advanced Tutor, Head of Science and am now Assistant Principal for A Levels.
What are your qualifications and achievements both personal and professional?
Professionally, I've led the Science Division from Good to Outstanding and kept it there for 4 years. I was able to do this because of the work of a terrific team, and I really enjoyed working with them. Some of the high points include the designing of the new labs, the work we put into events like Science Week (especially the Big Bungee Experiment), the great partnerships we've developed and exciting guests we've had, and some of the wonderful fieldwork we've run - I particularly enjoyed the two trips to Morocco I was involved with. I'm also proud of a lot of the skydiving and photographic work I've done - for example filming competitions for TV - and some of the rock climbs I've led, especially the scary ones on big sea cliffs.
Why did you choose to teach your subject/course?
Because Biology is fascinating! It's understanding life and all living things, and how they interact with each other and their environment. There's so much being discovered each year that it's impossible to get bored with it, and it couldn't be more relevant to every one of us.
What are your interests outside of college?
Well, I don't go skydiving any more, and I do a lot less rock climbing now I have children. I'm still keen on photography, and enjoy walking and cycling. My main interest, though, is spending time with my wife and two young daughters.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
Professionally, to see York College become truly outstanding. Personally, to see my daughters grow up healthy and happy. And there are quite a few big bits of rock I'd still like to climb.
Who are your heroes? Who has inspired you?
I've met far too many inspirational people through my life to name just one, and most of their names wouldn't mean anything to you. I'm inspired whenever I see someone work hard to fulfil their dreams, which in this job is something you see quite a lot.Top of Page |  |
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Yannick Berland: Head of Division - Languages
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
I studied in France up to degree level, taking a BA in English with Spanish and French as a foreign language at a French University. I also have an HND in Business which I did alongside my degree.
Why did you choose to come and teach at a post-16 college?
I was really interested to teach my subject (French) to motivated and interested students. I feel my move to teach at York College was a good one as I have taught some exceptionally gifted and hard working students.
What are your qualifications and achievements both personal and professional?
I completed my military service in France for a year when it was still compulsory. I trained to be a sergeant. I also did a parachute jump, and for someone like me who is scared of heights, that was particularly difficult! I then went on to study up to degree level in France as previously mentioned.
What is the best thing about your job?
The students. I find it very interesting to see how they progress on the course. I enjoy getting to know them and their views. Most students I teach have great ideas about the country, our future, how things should be done... that is fantastic. I am always amazed at the maturity of our students. I also enjoy talking to staff and hopefully provide good advice. The variety of people to work with is amazing. It is very demanding, tiring, and extremely busy but so exciting. Talking to students and staff on a daily basis is what I like.Top of Page |  |
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Hayley McQueen.
Head of Studies 16-19 A Level
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
Before I came to York College I had taught in a variety of 11-18 schools. Working with A Level students had always been my favourite age range, so I jumped at the opportunity to work here.
What are your qualifications and achievements both personal and professional?
I have a joint honours degree in Economic and Social History and Politics 2:1 and a PGCE from the Institute of Education, London in Secondary Social Sciences. Several of my students have been in the top 5 in the country for
A Level and GCSE Sociology. A Level pass rate this year is 99.3 per cent and
attendance has improved.
Why did you choose to teach your subject/course?
I chose to study the degree I was most interested in and teach a range of humanities subjects although presently I am specialising in Sociology which is great because it is a vibrant and relevant subject.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
For our students to achieve the best results they can and go onto a happy and successful future.
What is the best thing about your job?
The people, staff and students, making a positive difference
in peoples' lives.Top of Page |  |
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Paul Britton. Head of Division: Humanities and Social Sciences (Philosophy, History and Critical Thinking)
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
My first job was teaching Philosophy at Exeter College. Following that I became Curriculum Manager for Critical Thinking and the Extended Project Qualification at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough.
What are your qualifications and achievements both personal and professional?
I have a Philosophy, Politics and Economics Degree from Exeter College, Oxford University and a PGCE from Exeter University.
Why did you choose to teach your subject/course?
I love teaching 16-19 year olds. Teaching Philosophy to people who are up for questioning the world is just brilliant. Very exciting and stimulating.
What are your interests outside of college?
I love hill walking, following sport - especially cricket, being with my baby boy and eating and drinking with friends.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
To do something great.
What is the best thing about your job?
Teaching - it's great fun. A lesson where everyone gets excited and leaves desperate to talk about the issues more.Top of Page |  |
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Richard Hind. Tutor: IT and Computing
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
I have a degree in Computer Science and hold the Microsoft Certified Professional qualification. I have run an IT Support Department (and network) for a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner in York and prior to that I was the Technical Director for a North Yorkshire based PC Supplier. I came into teaching after gaining some experience as a technical trainer. In my first job after graduating I was involved in a project to re-design (and build) a new control system for the Jorvik Viking Centre “Time Cars”, which in the end was not used when they completely rebuilt the place!
What are your qualifications and achievements both
personal and professional?
BSc Hons Computer Science, MCSE Windows NT, MCSE Windows 2000, ISEB Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management, Foundation Certificate in PRINCE2: 2009, NVQ Level 3 in British Sign Language and 17th Edition Electrical Wiring Regulations (plus Inspection and Testing). I am also an instructor member of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain and a member of the British Computer Society.
Why did you choose to teach your subject/course?
I have always had a keen interest in computers, ever since I taught myself to program aged 10. I enjoy teaching the vocational courses because they really focus on building skills that are directly useful to the industry. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with mature students on the Foundation Degree and Business Management Diploma because they bring in so much experience and so many new ideas back to the classroom. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students who share my interests going out into industry and getting good jobs as a result of their time at York College.
What are your interests outside of college?
I play bass guitar in a few rock bands around York, my claims to fame are: opening for Status Quo at a huge biker rally in Stratford and having another of my band's CD played on BBC 6 music. I still play gigs about once a month around Yorkshire. I practise and teach Tai Chi, and have studied with some world renowned practitioners since first taking it up in 1999 after attending a presentation at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I have also been the lighting and sound technician for a local amateur drama group since 1999, and am involved behind the scenes in their three annual productions (I've even been known to tread the boards now and again). More recently I have become involved with the Jim Austin Computer Collection, and I am currently attempting to restore an old transistorised, desktop calculator from the 1960s.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
My current goal is to achieve my Masters Degree, and in April 2011 I will return to the University of York to begin a research project on massively parallel computer architectures.
What is the best thing about your job?
Seeing our students genuinely enjoy the subject matter and then go on to have very successful careers in IT.Top of Page |  |
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Miggy Biller. Head of Division: Maths
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
I read Maths at Oxford University (Somerville College). I then started teaching Maths full time in 1971, at first in Oxford and then London and subsequently at St Peter's School, York until joining York Sixth Form College in 1988. Previously I taught predominantly A Level and Oxbridge (Oxford or Cambridge University) entrance and then chose to teach post-16 as I preferred teaching at this level. I was also an A Level examiner for about 12 years.
Why did you choose to teach your subject?
Basically because I enjoy doing Maths and conveying mathematical ideas to others
What are your interests outside college?
I don't have time for much…but…I'm interested in music (mainly classical), theatre and films as well as reading novels. I also enjoy foreign languages and would enjoy travelling if I had time.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
To have time for the above!
What is the best thing about your job?
Working with other people - relating to students who want to learn and (sometimes) keeping in touch for many years afterwards.
Why do you like working at York College?
I enjoy the challenges of helping students fulfil their aspirations.Top of Page |  |
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Hamilton Davies. Head of Division: English
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
I have always enjoyed reading and writing, and was involved with a school magazine and publishing poetry. My old school friend, Jake Arnott, has gone on to become a successful novelist.
I went on to take BA (Hons) English, MA Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Novel Ph.D : J.G.Farrell and Salman Rushdie. I then took an M.A. at the University of East Anglia working with novelists Malcolm Bradbury, Angela Carter and the critic and writer Lorna Sage. This was a very exciting literary environment and I was lucky enough to get some teaching with Professor Guido Almansi.
After the University of East Anglia I got a job as a Research Assistant to Professor Peter J. Conradi F.R.S.L, Iris Murdoch's biographer, and the author of a number of books and critical studies. I then taught undergraduates for three years in London. This was a fixed term contract and an opportunity to write a Ph.D.
I then completed a PGCE and got a permanent, full time job in the newly established Wyke Sixth Form College in Hull where I could use my language and literature skills to teach A Level . My skills and experiences were in the post 16 education sector. I taught here for four years.
Feeling a lack of experience with 11-16 students and the National Curriculum I moved from Hull to Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes where I worked for six years teaching English across the school but ending up back in the sixth form running English. When a post came up at York Sixth Form College I thought it was an opportunity to move back to Yorkshire and to practise the skills I'd developed. I enjoy working with independent young people and am committed to promoting literacy across 16-19 provision.
What are your interests outside of college?
Reading, writing, cycling and swimming.
What is the best thing about your job?
Working with people.Top of Page |  |
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Lisa Rowntree. Head of Division: Engineering
What are your experiences and qualifications before coming to teach at York College?
I studied A Levels in a Tertiary College in my home town of County Durham and then went on to study a HND in Computing at Hertfordshire University (Hatfield Poly), but my heart told me I really wanted to be a teacher in something creative/problem solving! I was awarded a university prize and offered a job with British Aerospace (BA) in their Engineering Structures Department. They had an excellent graduate training scheme and I was lucky enough to follow the Engineering programme so I moved around all the engineering disciplines and loved every second of it, as well as writing software and delivery IT training on the side!
After three years with BA, having experienced design engineering and training I knew it was time to re-train as a Design Technology teacher much to everyone's shock and horror! I trained for two years and absolutely loved every second of the course - from the workshops to the classroom … and loved teaching! there is something really special and invaluable about teaching and supporting our country's young designers and engineers!
Why did you choose to teach your subject?
It uses and develops almost every skill you can think of; researching, designing, analysing, evaluating, problem solving, time management, team working, hand skills, numeracy and literacy, scientific application, etc. and it's forever changing and always a challenge and such a reward when it all comes together.
What are you interests outside of College?
Outside of college I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, but I love singing, acting, cycling, swimming, cooking, movies, reading, and I'm always making something or doing DIY!
What are your dreams and inspirations?
To raise a positive profile of engineering and manufacturing with young people and society, to get engineering and manufacturing back on track in the UK and develop young people who will have the skills and confidence to solve the engineering problems of the future.
Who are your heroes or inspirations?
My parents … and anyone who lives their life for the benefit of others - whatever they do.
What is the best thing about your job?
Helping someone to believe in themselves and succeed.
Why do you like working at York College?
It's a community, almost like a family, with student support and success at the heart of it.Top of Page |  |
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