Working at YCL

I am a graduate in German with International Studies. The company also funded me to undertake the Market Research Society (MRS) advanced certificate in Market and Social Research.I originally worked for a consultancy specialising in European funded initiatives and project evaluations. Since joining York Consulting my knowledge and interest of mainstream education and those marginalised from it; groups accessing non-traditional forms of learning; the widening participation agenda and Skills for Life policy arena has greatly increased.

I am currently working on a high profile evaluation for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) looking at the New Relationship with Schools, which has introduced a range of policy changes to reduce the bureaucracy on schools and improve school self-evaluation.I am also working on an evaluation of the Functional Skills Support Programme which aims to train practitioners across a range of schools and learning providers to develop functional skills provision as part of ICT, Maths and English.

My favourite assignment so far has been to research the prevalence of and reasons for Home Education in England, which brought me into contact with a wide range of people including the gypsy / traveller community. I have also enjoyed both evaluations connected to the Student Associates Scheme which have involved consultations with young people, school staff and Universities. The main challenges in my role can be juggling several projects at once for different clients. However this also means that each week is different and ensures that my knowledge of different policy areas in education is ever increasing.

I enjoy the way York Consulting encourages consultants to develop skills in all areas of research from proposal writing to client meetings to report presentations.Working in consultancy gives me an insight into how education policy works as well as research opportunities to help shape its future development.