Self -employed designer maker for Mae Kandoo. Inspired by vintage patterns, Mae Kandoo designs for bags, nursery accessories and homewares provide original alternatives to mass produced products. Mae Kandoo also offers creative workshop services and sew your own kits. Business focus: Bespoke service: personalisation Specific market niches: consumers looking for original designs which are handmade, eco-friendly and authentic vintage. Ethical values: handmade products using vintage, up-cycled and UK sourced materialsTargeting lifestyle choices: offering a core range of skills workshops in a range of mediums (including sewing, quilting, patchwork, knitting, embroidery, applique)Bespoke workshops: children's parties, hen parties, business team building/well being, community groupsRange of eco-friendly sew your own kits Collaboration with artists and other creatives for exhibitions and galleriesCommissions accepted

Short term, annual contracts: Employed as a Moderator (since 2003) and Examiner (2010 & 11) for GCE Drama and Theatre Studies. Recently re-appointed as a Team Leader for the forthcoming exam series (2013). Moderating coursework requires: attending standardisation meetings, being familiar with the relevant specification, standards, assessment guidance and centre guidance. Responsibilities include moderating allocated centres’ assessment of candidates’ work in accordance with the agreed assessment criteria and submitting marks and reports online. Due to the volume of coursework received for moderation, the role also demands an organised approach to administration. Working to deadlines is a priority. The Team leader role involves monitoring and reporting on team members to ensure they are applying the agreed standards as moderators.

Short term contract for annual event: the UK's largest drama festival! Workshop Hosting: liaising with theatre staff and checking that the space is ready to hold a workshop. Welcome teachers and school casts, introducing them to the workshop facilitators. Meet with teacher-directors and the theatre technicians to discuss their production, offer advice, establish their technical plans and elicit any other requirements. Meet with the marketing students to give a brief seminar of how to market their production. At Performance days:The Venue Manager acts as the point of contact for front of house theatre staff and makes sure that they are happy with SSF’s use of their venue. Venue Manager responsibilities include: creating a safe, organised and welcoming environment backstage. This involves ensuring schools have adequate dressing room space, knowing where to store personal items, props and costumes. Providing moral support to the teachers and casts, making sure that they have all the key information. The role also involves daily monitoring and reporting on box office and programme sales.

I have a broad range of transferable skills and experience which developed over ten years as a professional in mainstream Secondary education. In addition to teaching Drama at KS3,4,and 5 I was appointed for a range of Curriculum and Pastoral roles with additional responsibilites. These roles included: Head of Drama (with additional TLR)(Acting) Head of Sixth Form Assistant Head of Sixth Form(Acting) Second in Department / A Level Co-ordinatorAs a Manager of curriculum and pastoral teams, I developed expertise in managing relationships, encouraging collaboration to implement development plans and chairing meetings. Strategic thinking enabled me to develop the organizational skills and foresight to lead and manage staff effectively. As a creative thinker I embraced opportunities to explore different ideas and new influences which is evident in the broad range of training for professional development undertaken. Through experience of dealing with competing pressures, I developed strategic thinking skills and became an adept self-manager . Advanced problem-solving skills were essential in order to effectively monitor and evaluate staff performance, implement new courses, deliver In-Service Training and when coaching and mentoring both trainee and newly qualified teachers. Significant administrative and IT experience was gained due to preparing resources, record keeping and producing reports. From organizing residential trips, interview days and extra curriculur activities I gained experience of project management. To enhance teaching and learning I organized workshops with freelance practitioners and groups from the local community. Extensive experience of working with accrediatation frameworks was gained as I was responsible for the internal verification of vocational courses in the department and for assessment and standardisation of exam courses.