PROFILE

• Positive, proactive & dynamic proven achiever, serving Ayr College for almost 6 years as a Lecturer in Performing Arts and Media.

• Innovative, creative and lateral thinker with a pragmatic approach curriculum development.

• Fully committed to media, drama and performing arts education with a proven track record of course and unit development at both non advanced and advanced levels as well as  working within the wider community.

•  Good organizer, methodical and systematic.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• Has significantly progressed Learning and Teaching at Ayr College through Citizenship , Core Skills and use of Digital Technologies across a broad spectrum of activities developed and delivered within both the “Drama and Performing Arts” and “Visual Arts and Media” cognate areas including specifically targeting skills required for industry.

• Recently appointed as a specialist advisor in Drama to the Scottish Arts Council.

• Has developed effective learning materials for both HE and FE. Has implemented suitable programmes to meet the needs of the wider community, embrace social inclusion, and comply with Scottish Executive & Funding Council objectives, creating drama provision at : Ailsa Hospital - Ayr, Crosshouse Hospital - Kilmarnock, Riverside Adult Learning Facility – Cumnock, Kyle Adult Learning Centre - Ayr

• Assisted in the securement of practical articulation agreements with HE institutions including University of Paisley, Cumbria Institute of the Arts. Acts as Ayr College link contact for articulating students to Year 3 of degree programmes.

• Successful production of the following plays: “Strippers” – Peter Terson , “Once A Catholic” – Mary O’Malley, “ Brown Bread” – Roddy Doyle, “Blood Wedding” – F. Garcia Lorca, “Suburbia” – Erik Bogosian. Additional shows and devised student work.

• As Course Leader for both HNC and HND Acting and Performing Arts at Ayr College has undertaken development of new teaching materials compliant with the new HN Design Principles. Has successfully monitored and implemented College Quality Assurance systems and engaged in developmental workshops led by SFEU and SQA.  Has undertaken the role of guidance tutor.

• Negotiated and overseen Work Placements for HNC/HND students.

• Recently been invited to join ‘Aspiring Mangers Training Programme’ – in house  training at Ayr College

CAREER HISTORY

2007 – Present - Part-time Specialist Advisor in Drama for the Scottish Arts Council
2002 – Present - Lecturer in Drama and Performing Arts, Directorate of Creative Industries, Ayr College
2001 - 2002 – Work Experience – Television Presenting, Border Television
2001 – Work Experience – Production assistant/ Runner, Tinsel Town, Raindog Productions. Glasgow

QUALICATIONS, TRAINING AND C.P.D.

2007/08 Studying for MA Arts in Social Contexts at RSAMD

2007    Jisc Regional Support Centre E-Skills for E-learning

2007    SFEU Writing and Thinking Evaluatively, Managing the Learning Behaviour of Under 18s

2006    PDA Advanced Teaching Certificate – Ongoing

2006    University Of Paisley TV Presenting

2006    Royal Shakespeare Company, Theatre Of Peter Brook

2006    SFEU Child Protection, Literacies Training, Implementing New HN Design Principles.

2006    Paragon Productions - Rigging and changing lighting. Management of computerized lighting desk.

2005   University Of Paisley - Systems of Guidance for Students

2004   Apple Teacher Institute, Cheltenham College  - Learning and Teaching using Digital Filmaking Tools.

2003   Apple Teacher Institute, Cheltenham College - Embedding Digital technologies in a Creative Context.

2003   Ultralab (Anglia Ruskin University) - Developing the Creative Curriculum with New Digital Technologies”

1999 - 2002   Cumbria Institute of the Arts - Joint Honours Degree Visual and Performing Arts - 1st Class

RESEARCH

2004 – A paper investigating improved uptake on college places following a summer programme of “Filmschool” held at Ayr College for school pupils from South and East Ayrshire as well as The North Ayr Community Partnership. This activity was  a collaborative venture by Ayr College and Ultralab – the research wing of Anglia Ruskin University. My input was recruitment of suitable pupils, developing creative ideas, technical support, presentation, organizing the showcase of work at the University of Paisley and gathering information following the Filmschool to present to Ultralab and Ayr College on subsequent recruitment of students from this Summer-school cohort. The work was showcased at the Victoria and Albert Museum , London. Research published by Ultralab

2003 – A paper for Ayr College Monitoring progress in embedding Digital processes in Learning and Teaching within a creative Context. This report was passed to Ultralab – Anglia Ruskin University following their activity within Ayr College. Research published by Ultralab

2002 – Thesis: Exploring Boundaries between Performing and Visual Arts.

DIGITAL SKILLS.
Literate and competent in Windows and Mac OS platforms, Editing & Filming
           
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Driving Licence  Full
Specialist Advisor in Drama – Scottish Arts Council
Interests: Reading, Performance Arts, Travel, Cinema, Painting & New Digital Arts