Joanne Donohoe
Saltcoats
Summary
Since May 2022 I have been the Curriculum Quality Leader for Childhood Practice at West College Scotland, having overall responsibility for all Childhood Practice courses and staffing at Greenock and Paisley campuses. Previous to this I had extensive lecturing experience, having held positions in James Watt, Cardonald and Kilmarnock / Ayrshire Colleges since 2004. Throughout the academic year 2012 - 13 I also took on the role of Acting Curriculum Leader for Care and Early Years. I have had a pivotal role in supporting staff cross campus over the years - giving them the benefit of my experience in teaching units at all levels.- mentoring new staff within the team and staff teaching courses they have not delivered before. I also mentored a TQFE student when she completed her placement within our Early Years team. In relation to curriculum development I have been involved in the development of various qualifications including adapting course delivery to incorporate the NPA Social Services Children and Young People qualification and integration of units and assessments for our delivery of the HNC Childhood Practice qualification. I also adapted the HNC Programme to deliver a FastTrack evening class for staff employed within the sector that required this qualification which extended my experience in curriculum development. I have also adapted our NC Childhood Practice to be within school hours to support students with caring responsibilities and am in the process of doing the same with our HNC Childhood Practice qualification. Over the years I have been actively involved in in quality assurance procedures - attending / chairing subject group meetings, internal verification and external verification visits - taking a lead role in External Verification preparation. I am also an External Marker and Event Verifier for SQA which has extended my experience even further in relation to quality assurance. I have demonstrated my commitment to CPD and developing my knowledge by attending Early Years Conferences to keep my knowledge of the sector up to date. I have also achieved my SVQ Assessor award and have been involved in development and delivery of SVQ units at HNC/D level I am also currently undertaking my SVQ Internal Verifier qualification.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Curriculum Quality Leader
West College Scotland
05.2022 - 11.2025
- JOB PURPOSE: To lead and coordinate the Childhood Practice department effectively and assist in the further development of the curriculum and quality of the student experience.
- DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Staff team leadership
- 1. To lead and coordinate the curriculum team and manage short term staff absence and arrange appropriate class cover.
- 2. To assist the Head of Sector in the recruitment of staff, in line with college policy and ensure effective induction, support and mentoring of staff.
- 3. To support the development of the staff team, in both the vocational area/s and learning and teaching and to work with the Head of Sector to identify staff training needs.
- Curriculum delivery and planning
- 4. To lead and report on the recruitment of students in line with identified targets.
- 5. To coordinate induction, first-line and on-going student guidance and effective referral to Student Services.
- 6. To implement the College Student Disciplinary Policy at the appropriate stage.
- 7. To contribute to the curriculum planning processes and work cooperatively with other Curriculum & Quality Leaders to develop the curriculum area/s. (including ensuring that the curriculum develops wider skills e.g. employability)
- 8. To liaise with external stakeholders as appropriate
- 9. To contribute to the achievement of commercial targets
- 10. To ensure the efficient and effective management of resources and manage a devolved budget (consumables, tools and equipment)
- 11. To ensure the effective timetabling of courses, staff and accommodation.
- 12. To ensure health and safety requirements are met for the curriculum area.
- Quality
- 13. To lead the team on monitoring, analysing and taking action on key student PIs.
- 14. To lead on team self-evaluation of courses and the effective monitoring, and support self-evaluation and the development of teaching and learning.
- 15. To ensure the approval of provision in line with external bodies and College policy and complete the required course design documentation for MIS.
- 16. To ensure the accurate recording of student attendance, results and the maintenance of student records, enrolments and withdrawals.
- 17. To lead internal verification and coordinate cross-college standardisation of an assigned curriculum area and maintain records which meet the needs of external bodies and College procedures.
- 18. To adhere to and implement college Quality Assurance procedures and contribute to appropriate groups/committees related to the subject area taught.
- 19. To contribute to the design and production of learning and assessment materials for the curriculum area.
- Teaching and student support (for the teaching remit)
- 20. To ensure that all lesson preparation, teaching and assessment is effectively carried out and is in accordance with the latest Unit specification/Descriptor/Syllabus.
- 21. To keep accurate and timeous records of attendance, work and progress of all students taught.
- 22. To provide appropriate academic induction, support and guidance for students and refer on for additional support as required.
- 23. To maintain academic and professional expertise to meet the needs of the students and the subject area taught and to undertake programmes of staff development as required.
- GENERIC
- 24. To participate in professional development planning (PDP/TAD/Career Review)
- 25. To work collaboratively with staff within the College.
- 26. To contribute effectively to development planning processes.
- 27. To adhere to all health and safety requirements and college policies.
Marker / Senior Marker
SQA
04.2015 - 11.2025
- Marking the Higher Childcare and Development Projects and Question Papers.
- I have also taken on the Senior Marker role in relation to quality assurance and providing feedback and support to other markers in the team.
Lecturer
Kilmarnock / Ayrshire Colleges
Kilmarnock
09.2006 - 05.2022
- Planning, teaching and assessing units across the Early Years Curriculum from SCQF levels 4-8.
- Involvement in all quality processes in relation to standardisation of qualifications and Internal and External Verification.
Acting Curriculum Leader
Ayrshire College
Kilmarnock
09.2012 - 06.2013
- Operational management duties for Care and Early Years department.
- Organising class cover.
- Management and dissemination of information from Head of Sector and other departments –Quality, MIS etc.
- Responsibility for various courses over the Careand Early Years curriculum area.
- Dealing with student issues/complaints
- Completion of CRS materials
- Chairing team meetings.
- Mentoring TQFE student
- New staff induction
Lecturer
Cardonald College
08.2005 - 06.2006
- Teaching and assessing units acrossthe Early Years curriculum from Intermediate 2 to HNC level. I was guidance tutor forIntermediate 2 level class and was Placement Visiting Tutor for HNC Early Educationand Childcare class.
Bank Lecturer - Early Years
James Watt College
Greenock
10.2004 - 06.2005
- Planning, teaching and assessing various Early Education and Childcare units at NC / HNC level as and when required
Nursery Practitioner / Room Supervisor
West Kilbride Village Nursery
08.2004 - 10.2004
- Responsibility for planning and implementing activities in accordance with curriculum guidelines for 2 year olds. Setting up environment and ordering resources to support children's development within this age range
Supply Teacher - Primary
North / East Ayrshire Councils
10.2003 - 06.2004
- Covering classes in all levels of Primary Education from Nursery – Primary Seven. Planning and implementing lessons according to curriculum guidelines
Primary Teacher - Probationary Year
North Ayrshire Council
08.2002 - 06.2003
- Responsibility for planning, teachingand assessing all aspects of the curriculum for primary six class.
Education
BEd ( Honours) -
Glasgow University
09.1998 - 06.2002
L andD9DI Assessors Award - undefined
Kilmarnock College
08.2012 - 06.2013
Timeline
Curriculum Quality Leader
West College Scotland
05.2022 - 11.2025
Marker / Senior Marker
SQA
04.2015 - 11.2025
Acting Curriculum Leader
Ayrshire College
09.2012 - 06.2013
L andD9DI Assessors Award - undefined
Kilmarnock College
08.2012 - 06.2013
Lecturer
Kilmarnock / Ayrshire Colleges
09.2006 - 05.2022
Lecturer
Cardonald College
08.2005 - 06.2006
Bank Lecturer - Early Years
James Watt College
10.2004 - 06.2005
Nursery Practitioner / Room Supervisor
West Kilbride Village Nursery
08.2004 - 10.2004
Supply Teacher - Primary
North / East Ayrshire Councils
10.2003 - 06.2004
Primary Teacher - Probationary Year
North Ayrshire Council
08.2002 - 06.2003
BEd ( Honours) -
Glasgow University
09.1998 - 06.2002