Who’s Who
We have a fantastic team at Reading's Adult Community College
Meet the team at New Directions College, Reading
Andrea Wood
Principal and Adult Learning & Skills Manager for Reading Borough Council
Andrea has been the Principal at New Directions College since August 2020. A qualified and practiced leader and teacher in Further Education and a member of the Society of Education and Training, Andrea has worked in further and adult education for the past 23 years. Andrea has gained her senior leadership skills through her work in the further education sector and within roles for two large local authorities. Andrea is the HOLEX Policy Lead for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Green skills and LSIPs outside of London. Email:andrea.wood@reading.gov.uk
Lisa Welch
Deputy Principal
Lisa has been the Deputy Principal since September 2019. Lisa has been working in the Adult and Community Learning Sector for the past 13 years in Senior Business Support roles. Lisa has experience of working both within a local authority and for an independent College both within the Adult learning sector. Lisa is passionate about transforming the lives of adults through education and the role support services play in enabling learners to learn. Lisa was born and raised in Reading. Lisa is a keen gardener and when not supporting her family with caring duties spends her spare time studying on line for an RHS qualification in horticulture. Email: lisa.welch@reading.gov.uk or Phone: 07966189883
Aliea Rashid
MIS & Performance Manager
Aliea has worked at New Directions since September 2007 where she started as a math’s Tutor. Aliea spent the majority of her time as the Curriculum Manager for Skills for Life before moving on to Quality Assurance. In May 2022 Aliea became the MIS and Performance Manager. A qualified and practiced Teacher in Further Education and a member of the Society of Education and Training, Aliea has worked in further and adult education for the past 16 years. She has previously worked at Natwest Bank and O2. Aliea’s passion for education comes from her volunteering experiences and her love for math’s. Aliea thrives on helping local people back in to education and achieving their goals. Aliea is also a Governor at a local secondary school in her spare time, and enjoys her time bringing up her four children. Email: aliea.rashid@reading.gov.uk
Leanne Henderson
Quality and Compliance Manager
Besmir Baxha
Apprenticeships and Vocational Curriculum Manager
Bes joined New Directions College in June 2020. Bes has worked in training, apprenticeships and further and adult education for the past 9 years, working for one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the country. With significant experience within the work-based education sector, Bes enjoys helping, developing and supporting people to enhance their skills to progress with their career. Outside of work, Bes enjoys traveling, outdoor activities such as walking/hiking, mountain biking and swimming. Email:besmir.baxha@reading.gov.uk
Ivana Tasker
Skills for Life Curriculum Manager
Ivana has been the Skills for Life Curriculum Manager at New Directions College since April 2020. A qualified teacher in Further Education and a Member of the Society of Education and Training, Ivana has a wealth of experience in teaching and managing English, Maths and ESOL courses at all levels, from Pre-entry to GCSE level. Ivana has worked in Further and Adult Education for the past 17 years. She has worked as a teacher and curriculum manager at three large Further Education Colleges in London and Surrey. Ivana is passionate about supporting learners of all ages to develop new skills and progress in their work and life. In her spare time Ivana enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and cycling along the quiet country lanes. Email: ivana.tasker@reading.gov.uk
Laura Jordan
Employment and Skills Curriculum Manager
Laura joined New Directions College in August 2021 after having worked for the local colleges for the past 8 years, focusing on Adult Education and Employability programmes. Laura enjoys helping people gain and develop new skills and grow in confidence. Outside work Laura enjoys travelling abroad, exploring new countries and loves walking and swimming.
Email: laura.jordan@reading.gov.uk
Rossella Kench
Marketing and Publicity Officer
Rossella joined New Directions College in November 2021, and brings with her eighteen years experience in business development, customer retention, consultative selling, account management, events, new product development, website management, market research, product life cycle management, project management, CRM systems and international business. For all Marketing and publicity enquiries please email rossella.kench@reading.gov.uk or contact me on 07929 853 707
Zillah Puri
Art, Leisure and Wellbeing Learning Manager
zillah.puri@reading.gov.uk
Marta Johansen
Senior Business Support Officer
marta.johansen@reading.gov.uk
Natalie Ercilla
Lead Tutor - ESOL
natalie.ercilla@reading.gov.uk
Holly Bowden
Lead Tutor for Early Years and IQA for Leadership & Management
holly.bowden@reading.gov.uk
Dawn Townsend
Lead Tutor Mathematics
dawn.townsend@reading.gov.uk
Julie Anderson
Lead Tutor English
julie.anderson@reading.gov.uk
Cathy Lamsdale
Lead Tutor
Education & Training and Supporting Teaching and Learning
Education & Training and Supporting Teaching and Learning
cathy.lamsdale@reading.gov.uk
Bridget Parslow
Lead Tutor Foundation Digital Skills
bridget.parslow@reading.gov.uk
David Wall
Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance Officer
david.wall@reading.gov.uk
John Holland
Leadership & Management Lead (LSIP)
John joined New Directions College in 2017 following a 25-year career working in management and consultancy roles for utilities and energy sector organisations. After gaining a Level 6 teaching qualification, he has designed and delivered award-winning teaching and assessment for level 3 & level 5 diplomas & apprenticeships in Leadership and Management, enabling leaders and managers in Berkshire to realise their potential. In his spare time, John is a Scout leader and enjoys organising camps, and he also experiments with making cider. Email: john.holland@reading.gov.uk or Phone: 07816 110555
Paul Ducker
Education for Sustainable Development Lead
Cheryl Ives
Learning Support & Inclusion Officer
cheryl.ives@reading.gov.uk
Helen Spence
Quality and Curriculum Support Officer
helen.spence@reading.gov.uk
Colin Oatway
Business Support Officer
colin.oatway@reading.gov.uk
Rainbow Chan
Business Support Officer
rainbow.chan@reading.gov.uk
Sarah MacSwan
MIS & Performance Officer
sarah.macswan@reading.gov.uk
Yuen Fan Leung
Project Support Officer
Business Support Officer Vacancy
Amanda Haggis
MIS & Performance Officer
Kadri Bratt
MIS & Performance Officer
English Tutors
Julie Anderson, Angela Gonzalez, Caroline Bennett, Yasmeena Hanief
ESOL Tutors
Natalie Ercilla, Shelha Minhas, Preeti Singla, Judith Hansford, Anubha Shah, Nicki Ellis, Caroline Bennett, Caroline Stallwood, Marta Nugent, Fatima Djaafri
Maths Tutors
Dawn Townsend, Dhanita Tiwari, Sheila Thompsett, Shelha Minhas
Early Years Tutors
Holly Bowden, Nikki Hodgson, Mharulnisa Ejaz and Cathy Lamsdale
Digital Skills Tutors
Bridget Parslow, Moniza Shafi, John Holland, Simon Cullimore
Business Management Tutors
John Holland, Leanne Henderson
Employment Support Tutors
Moniza Shafi, Ruby Mehjabeen, Simon Cullimore
Supporting Teaching and Learning Tutors
Bridget Parslow, Cathy Lamsdale, Amanda King
Creative Arts & Crafts Tutors and Instructors
Zillah Puri, Jeanette Cole, Anthony Piercey, Debbie Page, Joanne Kennedy, Emma O'Donovan, John Murdoch, Shelley Montague, Caroline Streatfield, Areej Abdi, Lyndsey Clark
Learning Support Workers
Janette Bushnell, Genna Hale, Caroline Stallwood, Amanda Baker, Andrea McAvoy
Exam Invigilators
Andrea McAvoy, Saima Asif, Alice Hale, Kim Chan, Taeko Yoshino