Your tutor is your main point of contact for any course you are studying, guiding your studies and helping you plan and achieve your learning goals. You will be given their contact details just before you start the course.
Alan Brownlee (Tutor)
Alan has a degree in Biological Sciences and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Science with Physical Education). He has 12 years experience teaching Science up to GCSE and Biology/Physical Education up to A-Level; including modules on Exercise Physiology and Anatomy & Sport. As a former Head of KS4, he has experience of leading and co-ordinating teams of tutors and implementing mentoring programmes for students in a school setting.
Kirsty Budworth (Tutor)
Kirsty has a BA in Social Sciences and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. She has worked in education for the past 18 years, initially supporting adult learners with Disabilities to achieve and overcome barriers at University. She then worked as a Higher Level teaching assistant supporting students with social, Emotional and Behavioural difficulties in mainstream education. After completing her PGCE, Kirsty worked in various High Schools teaching her specialist subjects Health and Social Care, Psychology and Sociology at A level. She has also taught RE, Citizenship, Drama, Psychology and Psychology at GCSE level. Kirsty was Head of Health and Social Care and Psychology at a successful Cheshire Based 6th form college for over 8 years. She has also worked as an exam marker for AQA A level Psychology and Edexcel Health and Social Care GCSE. She has a keen interest in travel, music and is currently mastering 'Achy Breaky Heart' on the ukulele.
Jo Clark (Tutor)
Jo has a BSc (Hons) in Zoology, a Post Graduate Certificates in Education (PGCE) and a Masters Degree in Sustainable Education. Jo has taught a range of Science and Maths subjects for over 30 years in schools as well as working for a number of years teaching Access to HE in an FE college. She has also been an External Moderator for science with OCR, as well as examining and moderating for AQA. Jo also works for the Open University and Edge Hill University as an Associate tutor on the PGCE programmes.
Tracey Cole-Brownlee (Tutor)
Tracey has a B.A. Hons in Philosophy and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. She has 8 years experience of leading a very successful Psychology department and 11 years experience of teaching Psychology A Level. Tracey also works part-time as a private tutor and for a Pupil Referral Unit, supporting A-Level Psychology students studying from home.
Ruth Creasey (Tutor)
Ruth has a Bsc (Hons) in Genetics from Nottingham University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Manchester University. Since 2000 she has worked at both secondary schools and sixth form colleges in the North West teaching mainly A level Biology and BTEC Science. Ruth was also Head of Biology for many years. She was lured out of the classroom by the opportunity to run her own business for a few years until the pandemic struck and so has happily now returned to education.
Heather Crosby (Tutor)
Heather has a BSc (Hons) in Science with Qualified Teacher Status. She has worked in education for 11 years, initially supporting students with educational needs in mainstream education before going to university to qualify as a Science teacher. For the past 3 years, Heather has been teaching all the three main Science disciplines. She initially studied with the Open University for 4 years covering different aspects of Science before going to university full time to complete her Science degree.
Katherine Dobbin (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Katherine has a BSc (Hons) in Construction, Engineering and Management, NEBOSH General Certificate and NEBOSH Fire Certificate. She has worked extensively within the construction industry, holding various roles within the private and commercial sector and has previously taught a range of subjects within the Built Environment in Higher Education.
Jane Duxbury (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Jane has a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biochemistry, a Post Graduate Certificate in FE, HE and Adult Education and QTS in Secondary Education. She started off her graduate career in the Biochemistry and Microbiology departments of hospital Pathology. Jane has worked as a College Lecturer in Biology-related A level, Vocational and Access to HE courses. She has also worked as a Secondary Science Teacher covering Chemistry, Physics and Biology up to GCSE level.
Rachel East (Tutor)
Rachel has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Salford University and a PGCE teaching qualification (Level 7) in Post Compulsory Education and Training from Edge Hill University. Prior to joining DistanceLearningCentre.com she had been a personal tutor, lecturer and course leader at a college in the North West for 9 years developing their Access to HE, level 2 and Social Sciences provision from scratch. Whilst there, Rachel was mainly teaching Psychology, but has also taught other topics such as education, child development, research methods, IT and ethics and social issues in healthcare on courses ranging from level 2 up to level 5.
Vicky England (Tutor)
Vicky has a degree in Sociology, a Post graduate Diploma in Education and a PGCE in Social Science. She has 14 years experience teaching Social science subjects including psychology, sociology, criminology and health and social care up to foundation degree level. She has worked in secondary schools and sixth forms and is a former Head of Health and Social Care. Vicky has also been a mentor for trainee teachers and has taught other subjects too including English, Citizenship and Religious Education at KS3 and 4. She is a Sociology A level examiner for AQA and Cambridge International and a Health and Social Care standards verifier for Pearson. In her spare time, Vicky is a keen swimmer and enjoys jogging. She surfs with her family as much as she can (considering she lives in the North West!) and enjoys going off exploring in her campervan!
Lucy Lancashire (Tutor)
Lucy has a BA in Social Sciences and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, she has worked in education for the past 12 years. Lucy has taught Psychology from GCSE level to A-level, Criminology, Forensic Science and Access to HE courses. Lucy worked at a successful 6th form college for nine years, she has also worked as an exam marker for AQA A level Psychology.
Pam Leach (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Pam has a BSc (Hons) in Genetic and Cell Biology from the University of Manchester, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Loughborough University of Technology. She has decades of experience of teaching Science in secondary schools. Pam has also been an examiner for a great number of years for AQA GCSE in Physics and Biology and has been an external moderator of centre assessed GCSE Coursework. Pam has also taught photography to adults in evening classes.
Nicky Leeth (Tutor & Director)
Nicky has a Degree and Masters in Psychology also a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She has been a researcher at a University. She co-founded DistanceLearningCentre.com (as Distance Learning Centre) in 1993 with Karen Hayday. Prior to working for the DistanceLearningCentre.com full time she managed and taught within the Social Studies department of a highly successful FE College in NW England where she was responsible for over 1000 students and 15 staff. Her teaching experience includes degree courses as well as level 2 and 3, adults , 16-18 year old learners and trainee teachers. She has been an examiner for AQA A level Psychology. Nicky is also a Leader for National Trust working holidays with a special interest in woodland conservation. In her spare time she is a bee-keeper and is back in the classroom as a student taking bee-keeping examinations.
Yvonne Letson (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Yvonne has an M.Sc. in Psychology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology, a B.Sc (Hons) in Social Sciences and Psychology, and an HE Certificate in Education. Yvonne has been teaching since 1999, working with both adult and sixth form students on Access to HE courses, Apprenticeships and Degree programmes. She has taught a range of topics including Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Education and Childhood Studies. She has published a chapter on Playwork in Prisons in the book 'Further Perspectives on Researching Play from a Playwork Perspective'. Yvonne is also a qualified counsellor with experience of counselling both adults and children in schools, a local charity, and her own small private practice.
Helen Lynas (Tutor)
Helen has a first class BA (Combined Honours) in Literature and History from the University of Manchester, a PG Diploma in Education from Edgehill University, and a PGCE (Level 7) in Secondary and Further and Higher Education. She has worked in both secondary and further education since 2014, teaching both English Language and Literature to GCSE standard as well as Functional Skills English and Maths to Level 2. Helen is also an examiner for AQA English Language. She is a keen travel writer and was previously an Editor for the Travel Trade Gazette (Middle East and North Africa) and has published travel blogs to her credit.
Lara Mason (Tutor)
Lara has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire and a PGCE in Social Sciences from Keele University. She gained practical research and undergraduate teaching experience whilst working in the Psychology Department at UCLan for 3 years. Lara has taught A-level Psychology & 1st Year Undergraduate Psychology at a Further Education College for 5 years.
Carmen McKenzie (Tutor)
Carmen has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and has taught up to 'A' level Psychology in several FE colleges, Sixth Forms and Adult Education Centres in her region. She has a PGCE and a Level 4 PTLLS Award and is an experienced Examiner. Carmen has also taught Health & Social Care, Sociology & Critical Thinking 'A' levels, with experience of co-ordinating teams and designing course materials across most exam boards.
Fiona McNamee (Tutor)
Fiona has a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She has taught on Access to Higher Education courses, A level Biology, Foundation Degree, GCSE, as well as teaching 14 -19 year olds on BTEC Diplomas and acting as a personal tutor. Fiona has worked in customer service for many years, whilst studying, and is also a former Access to HE student herself.
Bradley Muirhead (Tutor & Technical Support)
Bradley has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a PGCE specialising in Post Compulsory Education. He has taught in colleges for over eight years across a range of subjects, in particular Psychology and Criminology.
Andy Neill (Tutor)
Andy has a degree in Humanities, a PGCE in Post-16 Education and a subject specialism in Numeracy. He has been teaching maths, English, ICT and other subjects in various FE and secondary settings for 15 years. He has experience of leading and co-ordinating teams of tutors. He also currently works part time in a Pupil Referral Unit.
Andy Northrop (Tutor)
Andy has a BSs (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. He has worked in education for the past 23 years. Andy has worked in High schools teaching Science - Chemistry & Biology upto A level and has held roles from HOY to HOD & Assistant Headteacher. He has worked as an Exam Marker for AQA (KS3 Sats) and OCR (GCSES) CAIE IGCSEs & I A Levels. Andy travelled abroad and continued working in education in Abu Dhabi and in Malaysia. In the UAE he taught IGCSE Sciences & I A level and was the Head of the Secondary School. In Malaysia he was Head of the Science Department. On returning to the UK Andy started working in a school teaching A levels and was recently teaching Chemistry & skills on an Undergraduate Foundation Program for Oncampus UK North based at UCLAN in Preston.
Jason O'Mahoney (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Jason has a BA (Hons) Degree in Sociology, Professional Diploma in Marketing Research and Information (CIM), Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Political Science. A very experienced teacher of Psychology, Sociology, Criminology and Health Studies, Jason has also been an Internal Verifier in Access to HE and an Examiner for the Open College of the North West. In addition, he has extensive experience of designing course materials across a range of subject specialisms and has also been Exams Officer and Head of Subject for Social Sciences with DistanceLearningCentre.com prior to his current role.
Dom Quaintrell (Tutor & Learning Support Officer)
Dom has a B.Sc (Hons) in Psychology, a M.Sc in Psychological Research Methods and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Dominic has worked in the FE sector for eleven years as both a tutor and manager. He has worked with both adults on Access to HE Diplomas and A-Level Psychology with the 16-18 age group. Dominic is also a qualified counsellor and has a small private practice.
Tejinder Rajput (Tutor)
Tejinder has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, a Postgraduate Certficate in Education (PGCE) and a Masters Degree in Global Development and Education. Tejinder has taught Psychology on a range of specifications from GCSE, A level, International Baccalaureate diploma and undergraduate courses for over 15 years in instituitions in UK and in Asia. She still works for International Baccalareuate as a Senior examiner and now and again is commissioned by OCR to write or contribute towards the development of Inferential Statistics modules. She has a keen interest in travel and music and is currently learning to play the piano and master a few soulful pieces with the dilruba (an ancient stringed instrument from Sikh heritage).
Zoë Reddin (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Zoë has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Hotel and Catering Management, Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, is qualified in Training and Development and possesses D32 & D33 assessor awards. She is a very experienced Trainer & Assessor delivering a variety of qualifications, including Key Skills in Application of Number and Communication.
Jo Rowe (Tutor)
Jo has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a PGCE (level 7) in Secondary, Further and Higher Education. Joanne has experience teaching Psychology, Sociology, study skills and literacy at various levels, to mature learners. She worked for some years in a North West FE college teaching GCSE and Access to HE Diploma. She has also taught AS/A2 Psychology at a North West Sixth Form College. As a mature learner and an ex-Access to HE student, Joanne has an understanding of the importance of teaching and learning. Her interest in education is evident as she has recently contributed to a book entitled 'Teaching Tomorrow' published by Gatehouse Media Limited which is about recognising learner differentiation and learning styles. In the near future Joanne is contemplating studying a Masters in Educational Psychology.
Emma Sconce (Tutor)
Emma has a BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science and has taught at several FE and sixth-form colleges across various BTEC and A Level programmes on mixture of units such as Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition and Biomechanics. Emma has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is currently completing a Masters in Strength and Conditioning focusing on Isokinetic testing of athletes as the final dissertation project. She is hoping to add more published journal reviews to her portfolio this year.
Keith Stansbie (Tutor)
Keith has a degree in Chemistry from the Unversity of Surrey and a PGCE in Secondary Science from Edge Hill along with a Science Additional Specialism Qualification in Physics from the University of Cumbria and has now taught for over 25 years. After graduating, he worked in chemistry labs for 10 years before deciding to train to teach. After training here in the UK, he taught Maths, IT and Science in Zimbabawe and Oman before returning to become Head of Physics at a large Academy and Sixth form for 12 years. He has written two GCSE Science books and is an examiner at GCSE, A Level and BTEC for AQA and Edexcel and moderated coursework at GCSE and A Level before that was discontinued.
Lisa Toole (Tutor & Curriculum Leader)
Lisa has a BA (Hons) in English Literary studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in FE. Lisa worked for many years in a FE college teaching GCSE, A/S A-level and Access to HE Diploma in English Language and Literature. Lisa also taught on a English Language/Literature and writing degree programme which was validated by Lancaster University. Lisa has lots of experience with adult learners as she was Senior Tutor Support and Guidance. Lisa is also a Reiki practitioner.
Vicky Wilson (Tutor)
After leaving college, Vicky took a gap year working as receptionist for various companies before deciding to get back into education and studying part time on a Foundation Course. She now has a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and has been teaching for almost 12 years. Vicky has taught on most Level 2 and 3 programmes as well as some level 4/5 adult courses in a college, focusing predominantly on Biology and Forensic based units but also some Chemistry and Physics as well.
