UCR Staff

Peter Greenall

Assistant Principal and Dean of Higher Education

Academic background/biography:

Peter joined Reaseheath College in September 2018, having previously worked at Blackpool and The Fylde College as the Head of Higher Education where he led and managed curriculum development, scholarship, research, quality assurance, enhancement, academic standards, regulation, student engagement and work based/placement learning. Peter also spent nearly 3 years as a staff governor on the corporation board of Blackpool and The Fylde College, and 4 years as a school governor.

Peter has a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from Lancaster University, MA Education (Leadership and Management) from The Open University, and PGCE (Post Compulsory Education) from Lancaster University.

Main duties/responsibilities:

As the Assistant Principal and Dean of Higher Education, Peter leads and manages the development, delivery and continuous enhancement of Higher Education at University Centre Reaseheath, and sits as a member of the Executive group of the College management team. Peter also plays a significant role in the College’s strategic partnership with the University of Chester, and sits on the University Senate and Deans Group as the Dean of Agriculture and Veterinary Science. Peter actively represents University Centre Reaseheath at the Association of Colleges Higher Education Policy Group and the Landex Higher Education Committee.

Sarah Hopkinson

Assistant Dean of Higher Education

Academic Background/Biography:

Sarah completed her BSc (Hons) Biology and Environmental Science at University of Leeds, MA Landscape Design at University of Sheffield, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further, Adult and Higher) at Manchester Metropolitan University and Postgraduate Certificate in Research for Social Science at Keele University. Sarah also completed CMI Level 7 Management and Leadership and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Association and Licentiate Member of the Landscape Institute.

Sarah has 22 years teaching experience in HE and FE and extensive experience of curriculum design, management and delivery, academic planning; strategic and operation management within an education setting. Sarah held External Examiner positions at Nottingham Trent University, Ulster University (CAFRE) and Writtle University College. Sarah is currently Chair of the Land and Estate Management and Biodiversity subgroup of the Reaseheath Sustainability Committee. Sarah has been a member of the Education Committee of the Landscape Institute and has judged the student category of the Landscape Institute Awards. Sarah was a contributory member of the Early Adopters panel for the Landscape Professional Apprenticeship framework and is a member of the Trailblazer group for the Horticulture Apprenticeship standards.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Sarah is a member of UCRs Senior Leadership Team and is primarily responsible for leading and managing the curriculum team.

Yvette Foulds-Davis

UCR Academic Registrar

Academic background/biography:

Following a career in youth work and environmental education, Yvette completed BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and an MPhil focused on bird management in zoos. Yvette has worked in zoo research, conservation education and field conservation at Blackpool Zoo and Chester Zoo, and has been part of the UCR leadership in various roles since 2017.

Main duties/responsibilities:

As Academic Registrar Yvette specialises in higher education quality and standards within the University Centre. Yvette manages the Registry and Academic Services team to ensure smooth day to running of the university centre including student admissions, academic quality and regulation and student support. Yvette also continues to lecture in conservation education.

Debra Swift

UCR Academic Development Manager

Academic background/Biography:

Deb has completed MA Advanced Pedagogy at University of Sunderland, MA Educational Research at University of Central Lancashire, Certificate in Education (Post Compulsory) at University of Central Lancashire, BA (Hons) (First) Education at Lancashire Polytechnic and City and Guilds Further and Adult Education Teaching Certificate. Deb has 33 years teaching experience across Further Education programmes specialising in Teacher Education and undergraduate programmes in HE. Deb began her career teaching English as a second language in Turkey and Italy, returning to the UK to take up a position leading teacher education programmes at Preston College. Responsible for Teacher Education and undergraduate Sociology and Psychology programmes, Deb taught at Preston College for 7 years. In 1996 Deb began teaching at Blackpool and the Fylde College, specialising in Teacher Education and undergraduate programmes in Educational Management and Education Studies. In 2008 Deb was seconded to UCLAN as the Lifelong Learning Network champion, working to secure progression to HE from those in underrepresented groups. In 2009 Deb began her role as Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Manager at Blackpool with responsibility for staff development, scholarship and research and curriculum development. Deb has managed the development of over 60 undergraduate degree programmes and is a passionate curriculum developer with a keen eye for a beautifully crafted learning outcome and perfectly aligned Programme and Module Specifications.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Deb has been Academic Development Manager at University Centre Reaseheath since March 2020, leading on the Access and Participation Plan, scholarship and research, teaching and learning and curriculum development.

Research Interests:

Curriculum Development
Scholarship in College Based Higher Education
Widening Participation and progression to HE
Inquiry pedagogies and student autonomy

Other Interests:

Deb is a qualified wine taster with an intermediate qualification awarded by the Wine and Spirts Education Trust. Deb also enjoys gardening and food production, cooking and her passion is to dance as often as possible.

Claire Davies

UCR Admissions and Data Manager

Academic Background/Biography:

Claire gained her BSc (Hons) in Animal Health from Harper Adams University. Claire has 12 years experience in HE working in Admissions, International Admissions, Student Records and Student Finance. Previous institutions Claire has worked at include Harper Adams University, Staffordshire University, University of Birmingham and University of Wolverhampton. Prior to HE Claire worked in the Animal Care sector including rescue kennels, boarding kennels, show kennels and running and managing a Dog Grooming salon.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Claire is responsible for managing admissions, enrolment, student data, and international student visa processes.

Interests:

Claire is an avid netball player and plays in two England Netball leagues.

Don Clarke

UCR Academic Services Officer

Academic background/biography:

Don has a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Oxford Brookes University, and a PGCE from Nottingham Trent University. Don came to Reaseheath College in 2018 as an LSA working with the Motor Vehicle, Maths, and English departments, and moved to University Centre Reaseheath the year after. Prior to that he taught various Business Studies and Economics courses at GCSE and A level in various schools in Leicestershire and Cheshire.

Main duties/responsibilities

Don’s responsibilities include organisation of the UCR assessment schedule and associated assessment boards, organisation of graduation ceremonies, facilitating student bursaries, and management of student applications for mitigating circumstances.

Hobbies/interests:

Outside College Don runs the Nantwich Boardgames Club, and enjoys writing music and designing board games.

Chris Buckle

UCR Access and Participation Coordinator

Academic background/biography:

Chris Graduated from Staffordshire University with a BSc (Hons) in Physical Geography. Chris began working in Secondary Education, then moved to Further Education as SEND Team Leader.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Chris’ current role is focused around UCR’s Access and Participation Plan, enabling UCR to reduce gaps at key stages of the student lifecycle, for a variety under-represented groups. Working at UCR allows Chris to combine his passion for the environment and land based sectors with a love of education. Some of Chris’ primary interests are: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Education, Social Mobility, Racial inequality in Higher Education, BAME representation in the Land-based sector.

Hobbies/interests:

Environment & Sustainability. Keen Angler, cricket watcher and amateur guitarist. Chris enjoys walking in the countryside.

Dr Sam Saunders

UCR Teaching and Learning Coach

Academic background/biography:

Sam completed a BA (Hons) in English & History at Bangor University, then gained his MRes and PhD in English Literature, and PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education at LJMU. Sam has taught at University level at LJMU and the University of Chester, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and has published two books and numerous peer-reviewed articles on Victorian popular fiction, crime fiction, and print culture.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Sam supports UCR staff with their academic and pedagogic development, manages internal staff teacher-training, and is currently Editor of UCRs Scholarship and Research Journal. Sam is also involved with the Public Lectures programme and runs a variety of other seminars and research support initiatives.

Hobbies/interests:

Sam is an avid baker, birdwatcher, and bass player.

Katy Fogg

PA to the Assistant Principal & Dean of HE

Main duties/responsibilities:

Katy supports the Senior Leadership Team at UCR. Katy manages the Deans diary and communications, and also administrates a variety of committees and boards.

Hobbies/Interests:

Katy is Mum to two young boys, and enjoys Cycling and Open Water Swimming.

Caz Sargeant

UCR Faculty Administrator

Academic background/biography:

Caz has a variety of business experience in environmental contracts, events and marketing. Caz holds a PgCert in Digital Marketing Management and HND in Multimedia.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Caz is responsible for supporting Curriculum development and the UCR Board of Studies, development of student eLearning resources such as Graduate Toolkit, and Staff resources on UCR Staff Hub. Caz is administrator for the UCR Ethics Committee and supports staff with purchasing for teaching and research. Caz also supports work based learning, marketing and events throughout the year.

Hobbies/interests:

Caz enjoys Sci-Fi, Music and Reading in her spare time, and is studying for her BSc with Open University.

Sarah Brock

UCR Administrator (Marketing and Events)

Academic background/biography:

Sarah completed BA (Hons) Photography at Staffordshire University.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Sarah is responsible for UCR Course Enquiries, Open Events, Marketing Support and Work Placement Administration.

Sam Morse

UCR Data and Quality Administrator

Academic Background/Biography:

Sam completed her BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sociology at University of Leicester, then Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling with Keele University.

Before joining UCR Sam worked at MMU Cheshire for 15 years, the last 10 as a Programmes Administrator.

Main duties/responsibilities:

Sam is responsible for processing course applications and making offers, student enrolment, maintaining student records, general student finance enquiries, administration support.

Hobbies/Interests:

Sam enjoys card making/paper crafting but likes to try all sorts of crafts (knitting, sewing, cross stitch, pottery), travel, reading Fantasy novels, music.