Meet The Team
Director of Education
Michael Manley PCE QTLS
Director of Education and founder of Direction Learning I am a qualified teacher graduating from Greenwich University with QTLS Status and CAVA level 3 and a Level 4 in Leading Internal Quality Assurance. I am passionate about providing an excellent learning experience when studying any of our courses. I have worked in an SEN school for over 6 years and over 3 years as a teaching assistant and a cover supervisor. I have a lot of understanding when it comes to supporting students with additional needs and enjoy supporting people to continue being inspired in the sector. I also have a background in Drama and Dance and enjoy watching musicals and directing shows when I have time.
Also have two cats and a dog!
Assessor - Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Lara Johnson
I am a Qualified Assessor and a HLTA and have over 5 years experience working with students with SEN needs. I love travelling and spending my time immersed in other cultures. I have an active interest in cooking and food, as well as how different cultures view food.
Lead Assessor - Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
Debra Aitken
Debra has 12 years assessing following a career as a TA, Behaviour Support Worker and Family Support worker.
Primarily assess teaching assistants as well as Understanding Autism, Behaviour that Challenges, Safeguarding & Caring for Children and Young People. I have an interest in anything related to education, think being a TA is a fab job and I’m passionate about my learners all achieving their qualifications.
Married to Tim I have three grown up children and a crazy spaniel called Florence.
Education and Training Tutor.
Chris Hornby -
Info - coming soon
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Education and Training & Educational Studies Tutor & Assessor
Matt Griffin - CTeach, FCMI, FSET (ATS, QTLS)
PG Cert (ODE) (Open), BSc Hons (Leicester)
I have 18 years' experience in the education and training sector. I am a qualified teacher, assessor, IQA, and EPA specialising in business and digital skills. I have an honours degree in HR management from the University of Leicester and a postgraduate diploma in online and distance education from The Open University.
I am a fellow of the Society for Education and Training with Qualified Teacher (Learning and Skills) (QTLS) status and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS). I am also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
My professional interests relate to practice-based learning and digital learning. I'm interested specifically in online pedagogy, innovation and emerging technologies for learning, and the role of technology in assessment.
My personal interests include drinking tea, building Lego Technic, and playing bass guitar. I am currently learning web development and how to speak Welsh.