Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Professional Development
Timeline
BusinessDevelopmentManager

Abigail Thompson

Burstall,Suffolk

Summary

Experienced strategic leader with a demonstrated history in working in both Further and Higher Education. Dynamic professional with a robust skill set in relationship-building, strategic thinking and creativity.

Proficient in quality assurance, enhancing the learner experience, effective communication and stakeholder engagement, with a strategic visioning approach to project management and sustained improvement. Committed to staff development and research initiatives, driving policy development through critical-thinking and resourcefulness. Aspires to leverage expertise in strategic consultancy to enhance organisational growth and innovation.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Director of Quality, Teacher Development and Student Progress

Suffolk New College
Ipswich, Suffolk
10.2024 - 02.2025
  • Member of the Senior Leadership Team (Strategic lead).
  • Responsible for all aspects of quality across Further and Higher Education.
  • Lead for the Teacher Development team and Initial Teacher Training programmes (ITE).
  • Responsible for the coordination and strategic management of the personal development (PD) curriculum across College, currently rated as Outstanding.
  • Operational oversight of Higher Education (HE) provision, including validation and revalidation of programmes and the development of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ’s).


Curriculum Design Consultancy (Further Education)

Ravensbourne University
London
09.2024 - 02.2025
  • Conducted research to assess current curriculum offer in comparison to competitors, identifying gaps for growth.
  • Leveraged strategic networking to create new business opportunities.
  • Mentored new manager to develop a proposal for a new curriculum offer.
  • Provided information and guidance in terms of funding options.

Director of Creative Arts, Enterprise and Digital Industries

Suffolk New College
Ipswich, Suffolk
08.2021 - 10.2024
  • Worked as part of SMT to achieve a 'Good' Ofsted rating for the College.
  • Maintained a focus on learners being placed at the heart of decision making.
  • Spearheaded strategic planning initiatives, aligning organisational objectives with long-term goals.
  • Optimised resource allocation to ensure learners had access to the latest technology.
  • Established and monitored key performance indicators, driving organisational success.
  • Fostered a positive work environment, increased employee morale.
  • Built key stakeholder relationships to facilitate growth. Launched the National Saturday Club to increase access to opportunities in the area.
  • Supervised staff training programmes with focus on skill enhancement.

Programme Partnership Manager (UAL), Faculty of Higher Education

South Essex College
Southend on sea, Essex
08.2018 - 08.2021
  • Responsible for contributing to the strategic direction, development, quality and operational management of the creative suite of HE programmes validated by UAL, UoE and Pearson.
  • Maintained alignment of the UAL related portfolio to the HE Strategy 2020-25, OfS Conditions of registration (in particular enhanced monitoring associated with Condition B3 (student outcomes) and the Revised UK Quality Code for Higher Education.
  • Maintained curriculum relevance and currency.
  • Managed UAL validation and revalidation of courses.
  • Engaged with aspects of the Access and Participation Plans at a curriculum and strategic level, liaising accordingly with other colleagues in the Faculty of HE.
  • Contributed to, and oversight of, UAL portfolio specific student recruitment activities.
  • Ensured effective resourcing of the portfolio, aligned to the course viability model (including monitoring of the allocation of the budget).
  • Supported learners through covid, as part of the BA (Hons) Fine Art teaching team.

Head of Art & Design

South Essex College
Southend on sea, Essex
09.2016 - 08.2018
  • Successfully managed both FE and HE creative programmes (E3 - L6 (undergraduate degrees)
  • Responsible for the successful revalidation of 3 Media degrees with UAL and managed the transition from UoE to UAL
  • Contributed to the QAA HER reviews (SED and during the visit)
  • Member of the BA (Hons) Fine Art teaching team
  • Established successful integrated Arts and English L4 programmes at Chengdu Textile College, China
  • Worked as part of a successful management team to attain a Grade 2 Ofsted outcome for the College (Good) HYPERLINK "https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2717451"

Head of Business & ICT

South Essex College
Southend on sea, Essex
11.2014 - 09.2016
  • Led a large team (80 staff) to significantly improve standards in teaching, learning and assessment across the department.
  • Translated senior management directives into actionable front-line policies and implemented changes with staff.
  • Facilitated training programmes, enhancing staff performance levels significantly.
  • Drove operational efficiency with strong leadership and strategic planning.
  • Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, driving workforce excellence.
  • Boosted team morale by implementing innovative employee engagement strategies.
  • Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
  • Improved quality of provision imprfrom a Grade 3 (Requires Improvement) to a Grade 2 (Good) rating HYPERLINK "https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2487811"

Deputy Head of Art & Design

South Essex College
Southend on sea, Essex
05.2012 - 11.2014
  • Supported the Head of Department to manage FE and HE creative programmes (L1 - L6).
  • Responsible for coordinating GCSE/FS English and Maths across department.
  • Maintained quality of teaching practice as part of the BA (Hons) Fine Art teaching team.
  • Monitored and evaluated student progress, identifying and addressing any potential learning difficulties or barriers.
  • Conducted regular observations of teachers and provided constructive feedback to enhance teaching practices.
  • Supported teachers in developing and implementing innovative teaching methods and curriculum enrichment activities.
  • Played key role in developing and implementing department's improvement plan, driving continuous improvement in teaching and learning outcomes.
  • Delegated responsibilities amongst faculty effectively, optimising individual strengths and abilities.

Lecturer in Art & Design

South Essex College
Southend on sea, Essex
11.2003 - 05.2012
  • Worked across a range of levels (L2 - L6) supporting learners with varying abilities, to excel on their chosen Art and Design programme. *Programme leader for BA (Hons) Fine Art (UOE) 2007-2012
  • Provided feedback on learner work, improved academic performance.
  • Led seminars and workshops for enhanced learner participation.
  • Offered academic and pastoral support to learners requiring additional help.
  • Collaborated with lecturers to enhance teaching procedures.
  • Reviewed and revised curriculum regularly, maintained course relevance in an evolving society.
  • Fostered a stimulating learning environment through open discussions.
  • Followed safeguarding principles to maximise learner health and wellbeing.

Lecturer/Technician in Art & Design

City of Westminster College
Westminster, London
08.2000 - 11.2003


  • Undertook and completed PGCE
  • Contributed to department and faculty meetings to continuously assess and improve internal practices.
  • Supported teachers to deliver high quality lessons.
  • Led skill focused workshops in printmaking.
  • Conducted equipment inspections and safety checks to verify proper functionality.
  • Conducted comprehensive risk assessments prior to every task; promoted safer work practices in the organisation.
  • Coordinated closely with wider team members for successful completion of tasks within deadlines.
  • Managed a budget.

Education

MA - Education Management

Kings College
London
09.2020 - 12.2022

TKT CLIL - Content and Language Integrated Learning

Cambridge
07.2012 - 08.2013

PGCE (Post Compulsory) - Contemporary Art and Artists in Education

Institute of Education
London
09.2001 - 11.2003

BA (Hons) - Fine Art

Surrey Institute of Art And Design
Farnham, Surrey
10.1997 - 06.2000

BTEC Foundation Diploma - Art & Design

South East Essex College
Southend on sea, Essex
09.1996 - 06.1997

A level - Art, Psychology and Geography

Belfairs High School
Leigh on sea, Essex
09.1994 - 06.1996

10 x GCSE’s - A*- C including English and Maths

Belfairs High School
Leigh on sea, Essex
09.1988 - 07.1994

Skills

  • Creativity
  • Relationship-building
  • Resourcefulness
  • Strategic thinking
  • Critical-thinking
  • Resilience under pressure
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Industry partnership development
  • Communication proficiency
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Strategic visioning
  • Project Management
  • Strategic consultancy
  • Staff development
  • Research and Development
  • Policy development
  • Initiative taking
  • Emotional intelligence

Affiliations

  • University of Suffolk (UoS) Partnership committee (PCAC)
  • University of Suffolk (UoS) Partnership Management Group (PMG)
  • ESF Co designed New Anglia Technical Curriculum Project
  • LSIP Digital (Norfolk and Suffolk)
  • Suffolk New College Senior Management Team (SMT)
  • Suffolk New College Quality Strategy Group (CQSG)
  • Suffolk New College Management Group (CMG)
  • Suffolk New College Operational Health & Safety Team
  • Suffolk New College Events Team

Professional Development

  • TES mandatory training (updated), 12/01/25
  • RESO (supporting learner resilience) training, 06/01/25
  • Stress and Wellbeing manager training, facilitated by Therapy for you, 03/01/21
  • HE Resilience Training, 09/01/20
  • Graduate Employability Conference, 10/29/19
  • UAL Teaching and Learning Exchange, 09/01/18
  • Effectively Handling Student Complaints Exchange, 11/01/18
  • UEA HE Research Ethics, 02/01/18

Timeline

Director of Quality, Teacher Development and Student Progress

Suffolk New College
10.2024 - 02.2025

Curriculum Design Consultancy (Further Education)

Ravensbourne University
09.2024 - 02.2025

Director of Creative Arts, Enterprise and Digital Industries

Suffolk New College
08.2021 - 10.2024

MA - Education Management

Kings College
09.2020 - 12.2022

Programme Partnership Manager (UAL), Faculty of Higher Education

South Essex College
08.2018 - 08.2021

Head of Art & Design

South Essex College
09.2016 - 08.2018

Head of Business & ICT

South Essex College
11.2014 - 09.2016

TKT CLIL - Content and Language Integrated Learning

Cambridge
07.2012 - 08.2013

Deputy Head of Art & Design

South Essex College
05.2012 - 11.2014

Lecturer in Art & Design

South Essex College
11.2003 - 05.2012

PGCE (Post Compulsory) - Contemporary Art and Artists in Education

Institute of Education
09.2001 - 11.2003

Lecturer/Technician in Art & Design

City of Westminster College
08.2000 - 11.2003

BA (Hons) - Fine Art

Surrey Institute of Art And Design
10.1997 - 06.2000

BTEC Foundation Diploma - Art & Design

South East Essex College
09.1996 - 06.1997

A level - Art, Psychology and Geography

Belfairs High School
09.1994 - 06.1996

10 x GCSE’s - A*- C including English and Maths

Belfairs High School
09.1988 - 07.1994

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Abigail Thompson