Spotlight on...
Tell us about your role at UAL Awarding Body and what it involves.
My role at UAL Awarding Body is as Chief Examiner for Level 3 Art & Design and Short Courses. As a Chief Examiner, I am responsible for the quality assurance and standards setting for all UAL Level 3 Art & Design and Short Course provision delivered at our approved Centres. This quality assurance may come in many forms, from setting the expectations and standards of assessment and grading, to working directly with course teams and individuals to develop, support and share practice. At the heart of all of this work is the most important of UAL Awarding Body’s customers; the student. The core intention of all Chief Examiner work is to empower and equip Centres to offer the most expansive and positive learning experience to their students.
Alongside this academic standards work, Chief Examiners enjoy a multi finger/pie working life, collaborating closely with all UAL Awarding Body departments in activities including (but not limited to) new centre approval visits, events delivery and qualification development.
How long have you worked at UAL Awarding Body and what was your previous role?
I have been working for UAL Awarding Body for 20 months now. I have had many career incarnations before I answered my chiefly calling. My CV includes, green grocer, carpenter’s labourer, barman, tapas chef, t-shirt designer, printmaker and teacher. Most notably I was a Programme Leader at UAL Awarding Body approved centre Suffolk New College for 7 years. During this time, I managed areas including Art & Design, Performing Arts, Media, Games Design and Learning for Independence. Through this period, I learned a great deal about teaching, creative arts education, education in general, teenagers, parents, staff management, sausage rolls and trainers.
What is your proudest moment at UAL Awarding Body?
My proudest moment at UAL Awarding Body has been all of it; from getting the job of Chief Examiner to the parent email about UCAS points I sent yesterday. For me, achieving a role at UAL represents recognition for the years of hard work, skills development, grit and determination ploughing my trade as a creative educator. I see UAL as the flagship creative arts education institution in the world, and to have the opportunity to work in and amongst these great Universities brings me tremendous pride every single day.
What is your favourite thing about working for UAL Awarding Body?
My favourite things about working at UAL Awarding Body are:
- The opportunity to have a direct and meaningful impact on the creative education of thousands of budding artists and designers. I fundamentally believe in the transformative nature of creative arts education, and to have a say in the content and direction of Art & Design education means a great deal to me.
- The people I work with. I am a people person and I very much draw my enjoyment at work from the professional and social interactions I have with my colleagues. I find everyone at the Awarding Body to be a talented and inspiring personality in their own right and I genuinely look forward to my days in office to see them all.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
- A magic sandwich making machine as sandwiches are my favourite food group
- My son Beau, as there is never a dull moment when he is around
- A boxfresh pair of air max 1’s, as you don’t want to be caught repping a dodgy pair of palm leaf sandals when the rescuers turn up.
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
As a child, my dream jobs included; magician, actor, pilot, astronaut, truck driver, doctor, lawyer, footballer, artist. When I was about 6 I started designing my own versions of my favourite trainers, so for a day I would like to work with Tinker Hatfield designing my own signature Nike shoe. That would be a bit of a dream come true.
What would surprise people to know about you?
That I am a relatively accomplished juggler and I have performed in a contemporary dance performance three times to more than a thousand people.
What is your favourite place in the world?
My favourite place in the world is Christchurch Park in Ipswich. Ipswich is my home town and is a place with its highs and lows. In the middle of the town, there is a beautiful park which are the gardens of a Tudor mansion. This place has punctuated so many important and happy memories for me. I go there at least once a week every week, and still it brings me immense joy.
Tell us about your role at UAL Awarding Body and what it involves.
My role at UAL Awarding Body is as Chief Examiner for Level 3 Art & Design and Short Courses. As a Chief Examiner, I am responsible for the quality assurance and standards setting for all UAL Level 3 Art & Design and Short Course provision delivered at our approved Centres. This quality assurance may come in many forms, from setting the expectations and standards of assessment and grading, to working directly with course teams and individuals to develop, support and share practice. At the heart of all of this work is the most important of UAL Awarding Body’s customers; the student. The core intention of all Chief Examiner work is to empower and equip Centres to offer the most expansive and positive learning experience to their students.
Alongside this academic standards work, Chief Examiners enjoy a multi finger/pie working life, collaborating closely with all UAL Awarding Body departments in activities including (but not limited to) new centre approval visits, events delivery and qualification development.
How long have you worked at UAL Awarding Body and what was your previous role?
I have been working for UAL Awarding Body for 20 months now. I have had many career incarnations before I answered my chiefly calling. My CV includes, green grocer, carpenter’s labourer, barman, tapas chef, t-shirt designer, printmaker and teacher. Most notably I was a Programme Leader at UAL Awarding Body approved centre Suffolk New College for 7 years. During this time, I managed areas including Art & Design, Performing Arts, Media, Games Design and Learning for Independence. Through this period, I learned a great deal about teaching, creative arts education, education in general, teenagers, parents, staff management, sausage rolls and trainers.
What is your proudest moment at UAL Awarding Body?
My proudest moment at UAL Awarding Body has been all of it; from getting the job of Chief Examiner to the parent email about UCAS points I sent yesterday. For me, achieving a role at UAL represents recognition for the years of hard work, skills development, grit and determination ploughing my trade as a creative educator. I see UAL as the flagship creative arts education institution in the world, and to have the opportunity to work in and amongst these great Universities brings me tremendous pride every single day.
What is your favourite thing about working for UAL Awarding Body?
My favourite things about working at UAL Awarding Body are:
- The opportunity to have a direct and meaningful impact on the creative education of thousands of budding artists and designers. I fundamentally believe in the transformative nature of creative arts education, and to have a say in the content and direction of Art & Design education means a great deal to me.
- The people I work with. I am a people person and I very much draw my enjoyment at work from the professional and social interactions I have with my colleagues. I find everyone at the Awarding Body to be a talented and inspiring personality in their own right and I genuinely look forward to my days in office to see them all.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
- A magic sandwich making machine as sandwiches are my favourite food group
- My son Beau, as there is never a dull moment when he is around
- A boxfresh pair of air max 1’s, as you don’t want to be caught repping a dodgy pair of palm leaf sandals when the rescuers turn up.
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
As a child, my dream jobs included; magician, actor, pilot, astronaut, truck driver, doctor, lawyer, footballer, artist. When I was about 6 I started designing my own versions of my favourite trainers, so for a day I would like to work with Tinker Hatfield designing my own signature Nike shoe. That would be a bit of a dream come true.
What would surprise people to know about you?
That I am a relatively accomplished juggler and I have performed in a contemporary dance performance three times to more than a thousand people.
What is your favourite place in the world?
My favourite place in the world is Christchurch Park in Ipswich. Ipswich is my home town and is a place with its highs and lows. In the middle of the town, there is a beautiful park which are the gardens of a Tudor mansion. This place has punctuated so many important and happy memories for me. I go there at least once a week every week, and still it brings me immense joy.