Vanessa Temple – Director of Education

“Ask Our Alum your question…”

Class of 1991

B.Ed (hons) Education and Community Studies/English

Country: UK and international

Nationality: British

IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADAUTE STUDY?

Yes, somewhere else.

WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?

This represents my current role and is used on all work brochures etc.
As a female leader, it is important to ensure your image is approachable and friendly, but still has high value regarding professional standards as conveyed through that image.

WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YSJ TO SOMEONE?

Education is a doorway to another life.
By having a professional degree, one that has practical application and allows you to enter a profession which allows you to work both in the UK and internationally, the path of life which you may have for yourself can change dramatically. Take each opportunity and take the interesting jobs!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?

At the time it was The College of Ripon and York St. John and degrees were earned through the University of Leeds. The location was not too far from home, but far enough away, and of course the Ripon campus at that time was spectacularly beautiful and had a strong focus on student wellbeing though activities. As a transition away from home it was excellent for a young person.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?

I have retained an EY focus but this has led to leadership in this area and wider school leadership around the world. In 1995 I moved overseas with the FCO on a two-year contract and never moved back to the UK. I have been a teacher and senior leader (including Director of Education) for schools around the Gulf and Asia, working for larger education groups with oversight of multiple campus and thousands of students.
I have now transitioned to working with the only Premium British online school and support emerging digital pedagogy and teacher training alongside hybrid partner schools and university partners.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?

It was the best course for Early Years Education at the time. Very few colleges focused on EY, most had the focus on Secondary with some concession for Primary. My experience taking this longer, hons degree with both Education and English gave me a much more substantial understanding of what I was going to face going into schools. I researched this course and narrowed it down to two locations, but Ripon was by far the most outstanding course at that time.

WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?

The diversity of what you could choose with regards to English subjects was wonderful. The mandatory English to support the Education were also diverse and meaningful, many of the texts I still consider favourites even today. With regards to the Education courses, they focused on the knowledge but had a strong element of practical skills – I remember having to pass a course on Display, which was the most useful thing I did that semester!

HOW DID STUDYING AT YSJ HELP IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH/SUCCESS/CURRENT ROLE?

I left CRYSJ with an incredible sense of positivity and independence.
I felt prepared for the world of work, and I felt confident in my own abilities to be amazing in whatever I chose to do.
I don’t think the importance of feeling READY is acknowledged enough, but it allows to you move forwards down any pathway and take those risks, grab those opportunities, and really embrace life.

WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?

Closing the door to something that no longer serves you will allow another door to open with new opportunities.
Take every opportunity which presents itself to you.