Yvonne Ashby
Head of Careers and Connolly Foundation Coordinator - Wootton Academy Trust
I undertook the PGDip Guidance at the University of Huddersfield in 2005, I then worked in a variety of roles as a Careers Adviser including in prisons, the probation service and in schools/colleges across Yorkshire. I moved into widening participation roles within universities, at first running a careers project across east London for City University, and then in outreach at the University of Leicester. I took up my current position in 2017, craving the opportunity to take on a leadership role with both strategic and operational elements, and wanting to work in an environment where I could have longer term relationships with young people and see their progression. In 2018 I completed Careers Leader training with the Career Development Institute. In January 2020, after a huge amount of work, both the school and college I work in met all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks and achieved the Quality in Careers Award. I am a registered professional with the Career Development Institute, and have built a careers team around me, allowing me to now wear multiple ‘hats’ on top of my Head of Careers role. This includes UCAS Coordinator, Early Entry Coordinator and Connolly Foundation Coordinator. In addition I am also a Project Leader for a local partnership of 15 Bedfordshire sixth forms, with the aim of raising aspirations across Bedfordshire. I am an active and supportive member of the career community and often meet with other careers professionals to share best practice so that all young people experience the power of quality careers education, information, advice and guidance.