Staffroom
Karen Hayday (Director of Studies) has a degree in Psychology and Sociology, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She has been a researcher at a University and has taught and managed courses in Further and Higher Education for 25 years. Karen has been an external examiner for the Royal College of Nursing and is also a qualified Occupational Tester. Karen founded the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) in 1993.
Nicky Leeth (Director) has a Degree and Masters in Psychology also a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She has been a researcher at a University. Nicky manages and still teaches within the Social Studies department of a highly successful FE college in NW England, she is responsible for 1090 learners and 15 staff. She has taught on degree courses as well as level 2 and 3, adults as well as 16-18 year old learners. She has been an examiner for AQA A level Psychology. She is a Leader for National Trust working holidays with a special interest in woodland conservation. In her spare time she is a beekeeper. Nicky co-founded the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) in 1993 with Karen Hayday.
Andrew Whitehead (Director of Finance, Technical and Administration) has an Honours Degree in Zoology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and taught and managed courses in Further and Higher Education for seven years across a wide range of subjects including: Science, Health, Information Technology and Environmental Studies. Andrew has been a Director of DLC since 2001 and has extensive experience of Business Management, previously running a Web Design Company and being employed as a Senior Manager in a nearby Local Authority Environmental Management Department.
Kim Cullen (Student Services Manager, Admissions & Tutor) has a Degree in Health and Social Care and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She has taught Health and Social Care with specialisms in areas such as "identity within third generation young British Asian women" , abortion and maternal deprivation.
Jan Conway (Head of Social Sciences) has an MA in Health Studies, BSc(Hons) Psychology, BA(Hons) Social Studies. RNurse, LeTToL and a PGCE. She has twenty years of experience in teaching Psychology in HE and FE, has worked as a moderator and examiner for OCN and AQA since 1989 and has been instrumental in the redesigning of courses for submission to examining bodies and also the structuring of courses relating to psychology including forensic psychology, GCSE Psychology online and access courses for a number of FE institutes.
Robin Greenwood (Head of Natural Sciences) has a BSc (Hons) in Zoology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a Masters Degree in Education. He also has an HND in Applied Biology and an HNC in Software Engineering and has taught for over six years across a range of subjects. These include Sciences (Biology and Physics) as well as ICT and Computing. Robin prevoiusly worked for a number of years as a network manager.
Rhiannon Hayday (Head of Key Skills) has an MA (Hons) in English Literature and Religious Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She has a particular interest in the changing face of British society, gender and ethics. Rhia has experience in designing learning materials for the DLC, international and British educational projects, and has worked in academic publishing.
Jason O'Mahoney (Tutor & Examinations Officer) has a BA (Hons) Degree in Sociology, Professional Diploma in Marketing Research and Information (CIM), Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Political Science. A very experienced teacher of Psychology, Sociology, Criminology and Health Studies, Jason has also been an Internal Verifier in Access to HE and an Examiner for the Open College of the North West. In addition, he has extensive experience of designing course materials across a range of subject specialisms.
Anne Bloom (Tutor) has a degree in Personnel Management, Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Assessor and Internal Verifier awards and has been a college lecturer and manager in FE on Business Administration, IT and Key Skills courses. She is an NLP Practitioner.
Tom Caruana (Tutor) has a BA (Hons) in Commercial Music and Post Graduate Certificate in Education (GTP). He has worked in Social Care and youth focused projects as well as Secondary and Further Education. Tom also has extensive experience in online business management.
Jane Dowd (Tutor) Has a BA (Hons) Degree in Theatre, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE FE), a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and a Diploma In The Theory and Practice of Counselling. Jane has taught, and curriculum managed, a broad range of subjects for the last 18 years in both the Secondary and Further Education Sectors.
Eamonn Farrell (Tutor) has an MSc in Project Management in Construction, BA (Hons) Geography and Media, a post-graduate professional qualification in Quantity Surveying and a Certificate in Education. He has worked extensively within the construction industry in both commercial management and project management roles and has taught across a broad range of subjects within the Built Environment in both FE and HE.
Fiona Johnston (Tutor) has a BA (Hons) in Applied Community Studies and worked for Social Services as a residential social worker before doing her Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), she then worked for a number of years teaching Access to HE and A levels in an FE college. Fiona then worked for the Open College Network North West Region (OCNNWR), which is an Access to HE Validating Agency/Awarding Body, as the lead for Access to HE programmes and worked with local and national colleagues, including FE and HE partners writing and developing Access to HE units of accreditation and learning programmes. Whilst working there full time, she also studied part-time, completing an MBA.
Zafar Khan (Tutor) has a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology, two Post Graduate Certificates in Education (PGCE) and a Masters Degree in History. He also possesses a Diploma in Higher Education in History and Politics. Zafar has taught a range of biological based subjects for over 14 years as well as managing science, and health courses in further education. He has also been an External Verifier for science with Edexcel.
Jon Knowles (Tutor) has a degree in Zoology, Diploma in Management Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education PGCE (PCET). He has taught a variety of subjects, including Human Physiology and Anatomy & Sport. In addition he is a former Casualty Carer (Paramedic) in Mountain Rescue, and has an interest in treating acute injuries. Jon has several years experience as a field scientist, specialising in fish health and population estimation working as a Fisheries Scientist for the National Rivers Authority. After this he worked in a warehouse, and soon became a staff trainer. This was followed by working training manager for an Environmental Charity.
Andy Neill (Tutor) has a degree in Humanities, a PGCE in Post-16 Education and a subject specialism in Numeracy. He has been teaching maths, English, ICT and other subjects in various FE and secondary settings for 15 years. He has experience of leading and co-ordinating teams of tutors. He also currently works part time in a Pupil Referral Unit.
Yvonne Otter (Tutor) has a Masters Degree in Education, a BSc (Hons) Degree in Mathematical Sciences, a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology and Philosophy and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (post compulsory education). She has delivered a wide variety of maths courses within the Care and Early years sector and currently also works at a Further Education College.
Wendy Price (Tutor) is also an Access tutor and course coordinator in a College, with 10 years experience of delivering, assessing and coordinating Access courses. Wendy is an ex-Access student herself, having returned to education following the birth of her twins (who are now almost 18!) and particularly notes that "it is always a joy to see my students achieve their own degrees". She achieved her degree in Biological Sciences when her girls were 6 and went on to study a PGCE in Secondary Science.
Zoë Reddin (Tutor) has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Hotel and Catering Management, Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, is qualified in Training and Development and possesses D32 & D33 assessor awards. She is a very experienced Trainer & Assessor delivering a variety of qualifications, including Key Skills in Application of Number and Communication.
Moira Spankeren (Tutor) has a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Computing Science, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (FAHE) in ICT and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Secondary) in Mathematics. She spent many years in the IT industry as a systems analyst/designer before becoming a Lecturer/Teacher in Mathematics and ICT in both the Secondary and FE sectors.
Julia Spencer (Tutor) has a BSc (Hons) degree in Nursing, MSc in Care of Elderly People, a tutoring qualification (LeTTOL) and is looking forward to starting a MEd degree in eLearning next year. She has eleven years clinical experience as a Staff Nurse and Sister in hospitals, care homes and General Practice. Julia has worked as a distance learning tutor and internal moderator in FE for seven years, delivering courses to healthcare staff and Access students. She has a particular interest in improving care through education and writes distance learning courses for Health and Social Care staff.
Ali Wilson (Tutor) has a BA (Hons) in Communication Studies, an MPhil, CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in Social Work) and a PGCE (Further, Higher and Adult Education). She worked in welfare rights then as a Hospital Social Worker before embarking on a research career in health and university settings. She has conducted research into primary care and community services as well as specialising in the field of drug misuse. Ali trained to teach in the post-compulsory sector and has taught ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) and English for Academic Purposes in FE and Adult education colleges.
Simon Young (Tutor) has studied as a mature student and attained his Advanced Counselling Qualifications, having been a practicing professional counsellor since 1998. In 2006 he achieved his Practice Teaching Certificate and in 2009 he gained his Social Work Honours Degree. Simon had worked in residential childcare for a local authority for well over a decade and, having started as a relief worker, ended up managing children's residential homes. He has also worked as a Field Social Worker on a Child Protection Team and has taught Health and Social Care in Further and Higher Education. Simon continues his enjoyment of life-long learning and is starting a PhD in 2013, planning to be a Dr of Education by 2017.
