Staff Spotlight: Meet Catherine!

We were thrilled to welcome Catherine to the Villiers Park team just over a year ago as a Programme Coordinator. Having previously worked in an administration role within the education sector, Catherine got to work straight away on our brand-new digital learning platform, Launchpad.

Launchpad enables students to explore a wide range of courses on everything from study skills and post-16 pathways to well-being and stress management. Future Leaders can also win badges and certificates to document their achievements and showcase their progress to future employers and/or educational institutions.

Over the last year, Catherine has been developing our catalogue of online courses and leading the implementation of Launchpad, working closely with Future Leaders, our ed-tech consultant Satori and our Programmes team.

What does your role entail?

I coordinate a range of different projects. The biggest part of my role is working on our Learning Management System, Launchpad. I manage the system as well as designing creative content for courses and training people on how to use the system.

What is your biggest project at the moment and what is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?

My biggest project is the configuration, set up and content creation within Launchpad. I would say that developing content that is engaging and interactive is the most challenging, but vital to ensuring that it reaches our young people. Also, encouraging young people to use Launchpad. Young people have so many things going on in their lives that it can be a challenge to reach them. 

What is your favourite part about your job?

Aside from my colleagues, I really enjoy developing new and existing skills.

What is a book you will always recommend?

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Palm Cove Beach in Australia 

Who are your 2 dream dinner party guests?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and JK Rowling 

What would your perfect weekend look like?

A weekend on the beach with my family and our dog.