Somerset College

Some of the best tutors in the country are to be found at Somerset College. They come with a host of excellent industry experience – bringing with them the knowledge, understanding and contacts that are of vital benefit to their students.

They take the time to find out about their students, find out what they want to achieve, and work closely with them to make sure they succeed. In such an encouraging atmosphere it's easy to find out who you really are - and achieve your full potential.

"The lecturers are good. They know and understand the industry because they've been in it"
Student Mark Alexander, Foundation Degree (FdSc) Automotive Engineering.

"The tutors and lecturers are really good, if you have problems they support you and you can always ask for help"
Former student Sarah Hutton, National Diploma in Public Services

Eileen Rosamond, HE Lecturer in Fine Art and Visual Culture

I have been lecturing at the College for 11 years and have taught on Foundation, Spatial Design, Visual Culture and HE Fine Art. Before moving to Somerset I lived in New Zealand and lectured in Fine Art at Wellington University in the North Island.

I greatly value the importance of Fine Art in education and the way it develops not only a practical artistic skill base but also the understanding and creative thinking essential to students' development. The resources are extensive and all students have their own space. Every year new students embark on this degree and it's exciting to see the great leap forward they make in artistic practice, critical thinking and reflection, and professional knowledge. These attributes and transferable skills enable students to find meaningful, fulfilling and useful working careers.

A Fine Art degree provides students with a multifaceted education that enables self reflection, lateral thinking and good problem solving abilities. It encourages a broad range of artistic skills and processes that can be used in a variety of employment such as individual and collaborative exhibitions, curatorial work, teaching, art projects, environmental placements, film and video production to mention just a few!

We believe in giving students good contact with teachers like myself and encourage them to use us as a resource to develop themselves and their work.

Qualifications:

BA (Hons)
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)
Currently studying for IMP (International Masters Programme)
HELPCETL Research Award from Plymouth University to look at embedding sustainability in HE Art and Design.

Keith Holman, Uniformed Public Services Lecturer for HNC and HND in Public Services

I have worked in the Public Services since leaving school at sixteen. I served for seven years as an aircraft technician in the Royal Air Force, and then for almost 26 years as a Police Officer in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. During this time I worked, both in inner city Bristol and in rural communities. I finished my career in Taunton working as a Community Safety Officer.

I find teaching Public Services equally as rewarding as being an operational Police Officer. Being able to assist in the students' development in so many ways, and helping them to become more mature and more attractive to employers makes my job very gratifying. I feel that due to my lifetime experiences in the Public Services I am able to advise and encourage the students in so many positive aspects of their chosen careers.

I am no longer a full-time police officer, teaching is now my profession. I remain active and make the most of opportunities to join in with any activities with students. My interests include fishing, scuba-diving, water-skiing and hill walking.

Qualifications:

PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)
Home Office Architectural Liaison Officer
Home Office Crime Prevention Officer
ONC in Engineering (Aircraft) (Ordinary National Certificate)

Clare Cavill, Curriculum Area Manager for Sport and Public Services

I'm passionate about my work at the College and I really enjoy seeing the change in our students as they develop into strong, confident young leaders. My role means I'm regularly involved with the students in a pro-active way.

I manage the HNC and HND programmes. The staff are highly motivated, very positive with both strong vocational and teaching experience. We have really listened to employers and students in developing the curriculum and creating exciting courses.

I've been at the College for 12 years now, previously as a sports lecturer and sports development manager. Before that I have managed various sport and leisure centres in and around Bristol. On a personal level I enjoy all sports - from running marathons to walking and skiing plus I enjoy watching rugby and regularly head up to Twickenham to watch England!

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Sport and Leisure Management, Cardiff University
PBCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education), Plymouth University
BTEC National Diploma in Sport, Somerset College
Various sports coaching and instructor awards

Neil Musson, Lecturer BA (Hons) Interior Textiles and BA (Hons) Surface Design

This degree is about who you are as a designer and how you want to change the world. It's about reinventing the man made environment and the spaces we live in. I'm a regular visiting lecturer on the Royal College of Art MA textile programmes and am confident that many of our students are capable of challenging the best designers that are out there.

I've been at Somerset College for the last five years and also run my own surface design company. Our emphasis is always on connecting students with the real world, it's essential their work is relevant in the contemporary market and so we visit trade shows, run work placements and have a high profile in national competitions. Graduates leave here with more of a professional design studio experience than a student one.

I find working with the students very rewarding - seeing them innovate and create ideas which have the potential to change contemporary design. It's very exciting.

Qualifications:

MA Royal College of Art Mixed Media
BA (Hons) 1st Class, Woven Textiles

Paul Cheetham, Lecturer in Engineering: Design and Manufacture, Electronic Systems, Automotive

I've been a lecturer for 14 years now; I was previously in the military where I trained and worked as an aircraft engineer. I teach mathematics and mechanical engineering science. I am responsible for teaching learners from 14-16 year-olds on the Diploma courses right up to those doing Foundation Degrees in Engineering Design. I also work for a major awarding body and I hold the position of Senior Sector Verifier for the Engineering sector for the UK for Edexcel.

Education is not a test, it's a journey, and I enjoy seeing the learners at the College develop and achieve a nationally recognised qualification. The application of mathematics and mechanical sciences is invaluable to the engineer in the workplace. Our courses are designed to allow learners to develop in so many different areas - to join a company on an advanced apprenticeship scheme or, after the foundation degree, in a management position; or practise their higher level skills within the many engineering disciplines.

Qualifications:

LCGI (Licentiateship of City & Guilds Institute)
Cert Ed (Certificate of Education)
PGCE ((Post Graduate Certificate of Education)
MIET (Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology)
MIfL (Member of the Institute for Learning)

Richard Harper, Environmental Technologies Manager at The Genesis Centre, Somerset College

My job here is all about developing courses in environmental technologies and energy advice; putting together the materials and running and teaching them too. They are for both College-based students and employed external learners, who need to get skills in installing environmental technologies.

Previously I used to advise clients ranging from householders to commercial organisations on reducing energy bills. I then moved into sustainable design advice for buildings, working with architects and engineers.

For me personally this is the direction I wanted to go in, the next step, using the knowledge and skills I’ve gained from working in the energy field in the last ten years, and passing it on to influence the direction that energy efficiency is taking.

Qualifications:

M Eng (Master in Environmental Engineering)
Affiliate of CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineering)
Low Carbon consultant and Energy Assessor

Terrie Chaplin, Lecturer and Tutor, Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Studies

I have a wealth of experience as a former practitioner in the Health and Social Care sector, having worked with many different groups from children to people with learning disabilities. It means I thoroughly understand the relevant professional values and how this translates into practice.

This course offers a variety of modules and is designed for students to go into the sector and work with any group. It gives students routes straight to employment in the Health and Social Care sector or to a full degree and post-graduate study beyond that.

Our students are diverse, aged from 14 upward and this diverse nature is fantastic, it brings so many experiences to the table and to discussions. Some are very experienced, others lack experience but have academic knowledge, and we find the students really help each other. I find I learn so much from all of them.

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Education
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)
Currently undertaking research with Plymouth University
Undertaking MA Education

Penny Whitehouse, Lecturer and Personal Tutor, Health and Social Care

I have a solid history in the area of health, having been qualified as a General Nurse in 1977 and since then achieved a first in BSc (Hons) in Education and Psychology.

I am passionate about inspiring my students with an understanding of the standards and quality of care that vulnerable people in care should be able to expect.  My practice as a tutor is to focus on my students' ambitions and help them be the best they can be, for the benefit of those they will care for and for themselves.

At Somerset College best practice is not only embedded in all areas of the curriculum, but is actively modelled by staff.   This makes for a positive working environment and a first class experience for the students.

Qualifications:

RGN (Registered General Nurse)
BSc (Hons) 1st Class
C&G Level 2 certificate for Adult Learner Support (City & Guilds)
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)

Tracy Morse, Curriculum Area Manager and Tutor of 14-19 FE Health and Social Care and Child Care

My Career background is in Health and Nursing. After training as a General Nurse and working within a variety of clinical hospital settings I qualified as a Sick Children's Nurse. This gave me the opportunity over a period of 20 years to work in all Paediatric and Neonatal areas within acute hospital settings including intensive care and high dependency units.  Qualifying as a nurse was really just the start of my professional development and I undertook relevant training and education including gaining Degrees in Education and Training and Child Health. While working as senior nurse I was involved in writing a Children's Nursing textbook.

Career development increasingly led me from a practical/managerial role into a lecturer practitioner role. Eventually, I was asked to extend the teaching/lecturing I undertook for the NHS and do partial work for the Institute of Health Studies at University of Plymouth. The role then developed in partnership with Somerset College.

My role allows me to draw upon my wide range of knowledge and experience and I believe I am a positive role model for my students. I am able to help health, social care and child care students make significant, positive differences in their chosen fields.

Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) Child Health, University of Manchester
BA (Hons) Education and Training, University of Plymouth
Certificate in Education, University of Plymouth
Registered General Nurse
Registered Sick Childrens Nurse