Preparing to Deliver Maths and English GCSEs

	Mike Cox - Event Chair Operations Manager, Association of Employment and Learning Providers After 13 years in retail purchasing and supply, Mike became an assessor for apprenticeships with TBG Learning in 1999. He soon moved onto various development roles with learndirect, RNID and then LSN where he headed up the bidding and development team, helping design support programmes and research in areas including Train to Gain, Citizenship, Diplomas, Key Skills, Functional Skills and Foundation Learning. He joined AELP in February 2013. Mike is married with 2 children and lives in rural Kent.
	Julie Douglas Curriculum and Quality Manager, Nuneaton Training Centre Limited Having worked in FE Colleges for twenty four years, Julie moved into the Work-Based Learning Provider sector in November 2009, joining Nuneaton Training Centre initially as a consultant and then taking up a full time role to support preparation for Inspection and to lead on curriculum quality and development across the organisation. During her time at Nuneaton Training Centre, Julie has delivered a number of regional workshops as a Lead Provider on the LSIS QCF support programme for Independent Training Providers. As an experienced trainer specialising in Business and Management, Julie has successfully supported her organisation to enhance the quality of delivery and the learner experience.
	Tanya Lawes Senior Policy Advisor, BIS/DfE Apprenticeships Unit Tanya has worked on apprenticeship development, regulation and policy over the last 15 years. She now leads a number of workstreams within government’s Apprenticeships Unit including English and maths within apprenticeships. In her spare time Tanya is researching the transition from school to apprenticeship for a Doctorate in Education.
	Mike Cooper Freelance Trainer and Consultant Mike Cooper has worked in the post-16 sector for 30+ years, including 17 in successful providers across England, finishing as Curriculum Manager for English. He also taught Numeracy, Business Studies, Public Services, Catering, and Performing Arts. Earlier, he worked in a secondary school and the voluntary sector. Mike was LSDA’s Regional Director for the South East, 1999-2006. This post spanned work with the full range of the FE sector – locally, regionally and nationally. Freelance since 2006, Mike works for and with a wide range of sector bodies, providers, networks and other organisations. Topics cover teaching and learning, supporting English and Maths development, observation and quality improvement. He has experience in open and distance learning, and a significant track record in designing and facilitating events and training. He has led webinars for networks since mid-2012. American-born, Mike graduated in 1972 from Stuyvesant High School in New York City, and then came to the UK for his higher education. He has lived and worked here ever since.
	Mike Harwood Professional Standards and Workforce Development Advisor, The Education and Training Foundation Mike was involved in the establishment of The Education and Training Foundation. One of his roles is to lead on supporting the sector workforce in teaching maths & English. Mike also commissioned the provider intelligence reports which some AELP members contributed to.
	Shirley Woodcock General Manager, Capital Training Group Shirley has a successful background in Education and Training for over 20 years and has held a variety of Senior Roles within FE Colleges, Tribal, Work Based Learning and Welfare to Work. Joining Capital Training Group in September 2011 as Senior Business Development & Growth Manager, it was within the first two weeks of joining Capital that they underwent a disastrous Ofsted inspection and were graded ‘Inadequate’. With a background in quality improvement, Shirley was asked by the Chairman to take over the management of the SFA provision and to implement an organisational change to improve all aspects of the quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment, Performance Management including Sub-Contractor Management. English & maths including Functional Skills was deemed an area of weakness particularly in Construction and Shirley worked closely with an LSIS support advisor to significantly improve this area of learning. Having just undergone their third Ofsted inspection in less than three years, Shirley and the Capital team are eagerly awaiting the publication of the report due to be released on the 2nd July 2014.
	Alan Benvie Director of Study Programmes, Skills Solutions Alan is Director of Study Programmes within Skill Solutions, one of the largest providers of Apprenticeships in the North West. Skills Solutions is part of the Economic Solutions Group of not-for-profit economic development service delivery companies. Alan is responsible for Study Programmes (and Traineeships) delivered through 11 training centres and has previously managed 16-18 provision within the Learning Gateway, e2e and Foundation Learning. With a background in applied psychology, over the last twenty years he has worked in the field of training with roles including: management development, trainer training, special needs provision and managing the delivery of programmes for unemployed young people and adults. Prior to this he worked in counselling, commercial training, two government departments and collecting trolleys for ASDA.
	Ruth Bruckshaw Centre Manager and Lead on GCSE/FS English, Skills Solutions Ruth is Centre Manager of the Skills Solutions Training Centre in Salford. Skills Solutions is part of the Economic Solutions Group of not-for-profit economic development service delivery companies. Ruth joined SS 10 years ago as an e2e tutor focusing on Adult Literacy and Numeracy. Since then she has become a fully qualified teacher with an English specialism and now leads on English delivery across the Skills Solutions Training Centres. Ruth was promoted three years ago to Centre Manager. Prior to joining Skills Solutions Ruth worked for the Inland Revenue but, fortunately, found her true vocation in post 16 education. Ruth has always believed that young people should be encouraged to achieve all they can and has, for the last 20 years, been actively involved in Guiding UK and is currently Division Commissioner for Stretford & Old Trafford.
	Carolyn Brownsea BSc QTLS FInstLM Education Consultant, Warwick Education & Training Consultancy Carolyn Brownsea is a freelance education consultant specialising in quality assurance, self-assessment and development planning, leadership and management and observation of teaching and learning. Carolyn has completed a number of interim management assignments in FE colleges, establishing the employer responsive offer. Carolyn worked for Surrey Training and Enterprise Council for 8 years, a member of the senior management team, with responsibility for developing a range of Post-16 initiatives, and contract management and quality assurance of work based learning provision. She then went on to work for Ufi/learndirect for 4 years, initially as a regional Development Manager in the south east and latterly was responsible for the development of a strategy for delivering employer responsive learning. Carolyn has extensive experience of developing supply chain networks to meet ever changing business needs, revised targets and policies. Working with both the private and public sector to establish hub and spoke delivery partnerships. Identifying opportunities to tender and preparing tenders, where appropriate in partnership with relevant key stakeholders. Carolyn is a registered additional Ofsted Inspector, Member of the Institute for Learning and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management.