Support for the further education and training sector
Support for the further education and training sector
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KJCS and Associates are three consultants trading as KJ Consulting Solutions Limited. We have a wealth of skills and experience, working with government, national bodies, individual colleges and training organisations. Kathryn James, Dr Patricia Odell and Sue Southwood have a wide breadth of experience, leading on national, regional and local projects to support quality in further education. We work on initiatives to improve leadership, management, teaching and learning in the post 14 further education and training sector.
Passionate about inclusion and improving the learner experience so all learners fulfil their potential, we take on a variety of different contracts both large and small that contribute to improving our sector.
What we do
Carry out research, analyse findings and write reports
Design and deliver CPD (online, blended and face-to-face) for teachers and managers
Evaluate provision and make recommendations for improvements - including short 'health checks'
Design and run events
Mentor staff and staff teams
Support organisations to implement joint practice development (JPD) approaches
"Kathryn, Sue and Tricia have a wealth of experience of the further education and training sector having worked out there on the frontline directly with learners and so know the reality of creating a system that really works for the learners we aim to serve." Teresa Carroll, National Head for Inclusion, Education and Training Foundation
If you have a project that we can help with - individually or collectively - please get in touch at kj.consultinghi@outlook.com
If you have a project that we can help with - individually or collectively - please get in touch at kj.consultinghi@outlook.com
Experience and expertise
Experience and expertise
Kathryn James
Kathryn James
An effective project manager with extensive experience at senior leadership and qualified teacher and trainer status, I am committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, mental health and well-being for staff and learners. My substantial experience of working with government departments, national representative and memberships bodies, in organisational improvement and workforce development gives me a breadth of knowledge when undertaking new projects.
I hold an MA in Lifelong Education, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, Post-Graduate Diploma in Careers Guidance and BA (Hons) Historical Studies.
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2015 to present. KJ Consulting Solutions: Director
As a freelance education consultant my clients include, Achievement for All, the Education and Training Foundation, FE Associates, the Learning and Work Institute, Unionlearn and the Careers and Enterprise Company.
2015 to present KJ Consulting Solutions - Director
2013 to 2015 Education and Training Foundation (ETF). Programme Manager – Leadership, Management and Governance
2010 to 2013 Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). Programme Development Manager
2000 to 2010 National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). Programme Director - Learning and Health
2004 – 2009 Department of Health – National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP), Assistant Director – Learning and Skills (p/t secondment)
1998 – 2000 New College Nottingham. Student Services Manager
1993 – 1998 Mental Health Support Service Manager
Dr Patricia Odell
Dr Patricia Odell
I started my career in further education over 30 years ago, working as a literacy teacher and initial teacher educator in a range of FE settings. Over the past two decades, I have managed high profile government funded maths and English programmes . More recently at the Education and Training Foundation, I headed up the development of the professional standards. I also led on the reform Qualified Teacher Learning Status (QTLS) and on the development of Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) at the Education and Training Foundation.
As well as holding an EdD, I also have an MA in Equity & Change in the Public Services, a Certificate in Education (FE) and BA (Hons) Degree in French Studies.
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As a specialist in teacher professional learning, I am committed to supporting quality improvement and promoting teacher-owned professionalism. I have recently been awarded with an Education Doctorate with a thesis focusing on the benefits and challenges of implementing collaborative models of professional development - an approach known as joint practice development (JPD).
2019 to present: working as a freelance education consultant, my clients include the Education and Training Foundation, the Chartered College of Teaching and FE Associates. I am also collaborating with colleagues in the research community to disseminate findings of my doctoral research study and developing practical guides that will help middle and senior leaders implement a JPD approach to professional development in their institutions.
Sue Southwood
Sue Southwood
My experience is drawn from working in further education colleges, adult education centres, work-based learning providers and prisons. I am a creative, pragmatic project manager with significant experience at senior leadership level and a skilled teacher and trainer. I have worked at national level with a range of organisations including BIS, DfE, Ofsted, Ofqual, Awarding Organisations and national representative and membership bodies that drive education policy and quality improvement.
I hold a Masters in Education (Adult Literacy, Language and Numeracy), TDLB Award in Learning and Development and BA (Hons) 2:1 English, History and Education.
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March 2019 – present. Southwood Education Services Limited: Director. Recent clients include, the Learning and Work Institute, TUC Unionlearn, Unison, PCS, The Armed Forces and Sporting Heritage, United Colleges Group, CC Consultancy, Touch Consulting and the Learning and Enterprise College Bexley. Undertaking a variety of work, I have managed research and development projects to improve and evaluate maths, English and ESOL provision; mentored organisations to improve study programmes; developed resources and training; delivered CPD for English and maths teachers, and supported the ETF’s Outstanding Teaching, Learning and Assessment programmes (rounds 6&7).
Part-time and interim roles
Jan - June 2020 City of Westminster College. Supporting the quality of education in maths and English.
Sept - Dec 2019 College of North West London. Head of Faculty for English and Maths
March – Aug 2019 Learning and Enterprise College Bexley. Manager for English, Maths and Families
Jan 2018 – Feb 2019 Barking and Dagenham College of Further Education: Director of Developmental Skills and Innovation (secondment)
2015- 2017 Governor and member of Performance and Standards Committee (voluntary position)
Full-time positions
2014 – 2018 The Education and Training Foundation: National lead for English and Maths
2004 – 2014 NIACE (now The Learning and Work Institute): National lead for Basic Skills
2000 – 2004 City and Islington College: Established and managed The Learning Zone for staff at Transport for London
1995 – 2000 Ford Motor Company Limited: Basic Skills Manager
1987 - 1995 Basic Skills Co-ordinator, ESOL Teacher, Literacy and GCSE English Tutor, Open Learning Co-ordinator. London and Norwich.
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