The West Midlands Consortium attracts students with a wide range of qualifications and experiences. Sample profiles are shown to illustrate the variety.
Student 1:
Subject: English
Sex: Male
Age: 58
(British White)
Degree: BA (Hons) 2:1 English & Related Literature
Previous Experiences: Business Improvement Consultant – Inland Revenue
Student 2:
Subject: ICT
Sex: Male
Age: 39
(Asian/Indian)
Degree: BA Business Information Technology – Ordinary
Previous Experiences: Dissemination Officer for a City Council; promoting electronic government notifications between central and local government and private partner agencies. Implemented a video conferencing suite between the council and partner agencies.
Student 3:
Subject: Business Studies
Sex: Female
Age: 44
(British White)
Degree: BA (Hons) 2:1 History/Economy & Society
Previous Experiences: Project Administrator for a Care Company for adults with learning disabilities; providing admin support for service managers, attending meetings and recording the proceedings.
Careers Service – Pupil work experience clerk/placement visitor; providing support to the unit, making health and safety visits to work placements, liaised with schools, parents, LEAs and employers.
Student 4:
Subject: Geography
Sex: Male
Age: 32
(Ghanaian)
Degree: BA (Hons) 2:2 Social Sciences (Economics/Geography)
Previous Experiences: Supply teacher in a variety of UK schools; also taught in Ghana.
Student 5:
Subject: Dance (Performing Arts)
Sex: Female
Age: 28
(British White)
Degree: BA (Hons) 2:1 Performing Arts (Dance)
Previous Experiences: Dance teacher in UK schools; devising and delivering courses for KS3 students and building the profile of dance generally. Also taught GCSE dance.
Dance teacher for a theatre arts school’ providing training in singing, drama and dance for children 6 to 16. Modern Jazz dance taught creatively with emphasis placed on developing children’s’ confidence as well as technical and performance skills.
Student 6:
Subject: Modern Foreign Languages
Sex: Female
Age: 33
(British White)
Degree: BA (Hons) 2:2 Languages, Business & IT
Previous Experiences: Communications manager for an Assurance company; developing strategic and tactical campaigns to achieve company objectives, managing staff development.
Various bank and building societies; implementing branch campaigns, developing intranet, controlling sponsorship and advertising for 2 football clubs.
Student 7:
Subject: Maths
Sex: Male
Age: 42
(British White)
Degree: BSc (Hons) 2:2 Applicable Mathematics
Previous Experiences: Owner of Wheelie Bin Company after working in USA for several years as a computer consultant. Worked with multi national companies and smaller local companies on a variety of applications covering all aspects of the business spectrum from agricultural produce manufacturing through to fund management. Prior to working in USA worked as a consultant for a consultancy company where achievements were recognised by being awarded the Company President’s award.
Student 8:
Subject: Science
Sex: Female
Age: 23
(British White)
Degree: BSc (Hons) 2:1 Analytical & Environmental Chemistry
Previous Experiences: Skills and Personnel Development Officer in a learning development centre at a University; designed and delivered skills training for students and staff. Wrote skills materials for web site, liaised with University staff, students and external institutions/organisations, designed pilot scheme to introduce Personal Development Plans across University departments. Also held various positions in schools and universities; tutoring groups in extra curricular activities, organising events, course representative and mentor.
Student 9:
Subject: Physical Education
Sex: Female
Age: 24
(British White)
Degree: BA (Hons) 2:2 Sports Studies, P.E & Community Studies
Previous Experiences: Learning Support Practitioner/Mentor in a school; working with disaffected and under achieving pupils on a 1:1 and group basis, monitoring and improving behaviour, motivation, confidence, organisation and achievements by setting targets and liaising with parents and teachers. Also, a swimming instructor; running and general presentation of the pool, planning and recording and evaluating the teaching of swimming at KS2 and KS3; recognised the importance of differentiation in lessons.
Student 10:
Subject: Music
Sex: Male
Age: 24
(British White)
Degree: BA (Hons) 1:1 Performing Arts (Music)
Previous Experiences: Musical Director/Arranger/Performer for various musical productions, Big Band orchestras and various rock/pop ensembles, freelance tutor of Piano and Music theory, vocal coach, conductor of local choral societies. Led Youth Theatre workshops, organist for a crematorium, composed musical extracts for a school of Performing Arts.