1. Could you tell us your name and your job title?
Penny Garner, Outreach and Partnerships Manager
2. Could you tell us about your background (i.e., past education / jobs)?
I have worked in education for A LOT of years! I have a BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Criminology, a Primary Education PGCE and an MEd in Primary Education. I worked as a primary school teacher and then moved into HE, setting up a Foundation Degree in Young People's Learning and Development with Leeds Beckett University when FDs were a new way of studying. I then moved into further education, working in various roles in an FE college, including teaching on the childcare programmes. I became quality manager and then Head of School at the FE college. I have always been interested in widening participation in education so I was very happy to join Inspiring Choices in 2017, delivering activities to groups of students across North Yorkshire.
3. What is your favourite part of your job?
I love working as part of a team and I also love talking with anyone, and particularly young people, about opportunities through FE/HE courses and apprenticeships. Everyone should have access to good quality information and guidance about their future education and I love being part of a team that provides that in North Yorkshire.
4. What one piece of advice would you give to someone looking at their future education?
My advice would be to think about what subject you enjoy the most and will eStay positive - there is always a solution, or a course, or a person who can give you positive support, information and guidance and you will get to where you want to be.
Also just because you chose one route, doesn't mean that other options are closed to you in the future.
5. What is your favourite film or book?
Little Women by Louisa M Alcott and The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher and my favourite film is Up!
6. If you were an animal, what type of animal do you think you’d be?
Migratory bird like a swift or swallow that flies to Africa for winter and back to UK for summer. They fly extraordinary distances over land and sea and come back to the exact same place every year - amazing! I would love to have a bird's eye view of everything.
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