Who's who
Jane Cavanagh - Strand 1 Manager
Jane Cavanagh wears 2 hats, managing Strand 1 of the Peninsula Programme alongside coordinating Widening Participation for the faculties of the University of Plymouth. Jane grew up and went to school in the Taunton area, started work in Falmouth, has studied at Marjon, Plymouth and Exeter Universities and thereby has a close affinity with the Peninsula Programme area. Jane's doctorate in rural geography focused on the disempowered, hence it was a natural progression to use the theory to enhance practices designed to widen participation in Higher Education. Based at Bath Spa University College, Jane originally worked with the Western Partnership but transferred to the Peninsula in 2000. Initially Jane managed the Community Outreach Programme and designed HE campus tasters and summer schools for 14 schools and the 5 HEIs involved in the project.
Following the expansion to the Peninsula Programme she now manages a satellite team of 5 Programme Officers and an outstanding administrator servicing all of the Programme's schools (plus the In-Care project) the team participated in innumerable PSME session in schools, taster days, summer schools, parents evenings, theatre productions and HEAT ensuring that the work of Strand 1 is in staffrooms, homes and communities across the region.
Contact details: j.c.cavanagh@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 587961
Amanda Polley - Peninsula Programme Officer
Amanda Polley, our Peninsula Programme Officer (PPO) for East Devon and West Somerset, joined the Programme in June 2003. Based at Somerset College of Arts and Technology she is responsible for working directly with ten schools in the region, she regularly flies around the area and has built up an excellent working relationship with each one. Amanda has a natural affinity for PR & Marketing and has become our unofficial press officer and is always pushed to the forefront whenever there are cameras around or voice-overs to do.
Amanda had a successful career in banking before choosing to go to University. She began a course in Sport Science at SCAT and "topped up" to a degree with a final year of study at Marjon. Amanda loves all water-based activities; she is an experienced swimming coach and dives all around the world.
Target Schools
- Bishop Fox's School
- Ladymead Community School
- Axe Valley School & Community College
- Honiton Community College
- ISCA College of Media Arts
- Teignmouth Community College
- St Luke's Science & Sports College
- West Exe Tech College
- Cullompton Community College
- St Augustine's of Canterbury School
Contact details: amanda.polley@plymouth.ac.uk 07793 840432
Dan Brown - Peninsula Programme Officer
Dan Brown has been working as a Peninsula Programme Officer (PPO) on Aimhigher since 2003 and is based at Petroc (formerly North Devon College). Dan works closely with 10 schools spread across North Devon, North Somerset and North Cornwall raising aspirations and awareness for HE with school pupils in Years 7 – 11.
Before working on Aimhigher, Dan worked in the International Office at the University of Plymouth, immigration, visa renewals, pastoral care with the students and arranging activities. Dan loves surfing and football and enjoys playing tennis.
Target Schools
- Budehaven Community School
- Bideford College
- Holsworthy Community College
- Ilfracombe College
- Okehampton College
- Park Community School
- Pilton Community College
- St James High School
- West Somerset Community School
- Tiverton High School
Contact details: D3brown@plymouth.ac.uk 07793 840430
Luke Denner - Peninsula Programme Officer
Luke Denner works directly with 9 target schools in the Plymouth region and is based at Plymouth College of Arts. Luke has a great deal of widening participation experience behind him as he previously worked with Aimhigher nationally where he was heavily involved in visiting schools on the Aimhigher tour bus.
In his personal life, Luke is the guitarist in a punk band but his passion for music is second only to his passion for football and, more precisely, Liverpool football club.
Target Schools
- Bodmin College
- Estover Comunity College
- John Kitto Community College
- Launceston College
- Lipson Community College
- Sir James Smith Community School
- Sir John Hunt Community Sports College
- Stoke Damerel Community College
- Tamarside Community College
- Also Looked after Children
Contact details: luke.denner@plymouth.ac.uk 07793 840431
Mark White - Peninsula Programme Officer
Mark has been supply teaching for 5 years before joining the programme, teaching secondary PE from September till May, then working as a Groundsman at Newton Abbot Race Course from May till September, when the teaching work runs out for the summer
He studied Sport and Human Movement studies at University of Wales; Institute Cardiff for his degree then did a PGCE in Secondary PE at Greenwich University where he qualified as a teacher.
He is a keen follower of Rugby Union especially Wasps and the England team, although he no longer plays. He enjoys swimming and DIY in his free time.
He works in 6 Schools in the Torbay area and 4 in Cornwall.
Target Schools
- Brixham Community College
- Paignton Community College
- Westlands School
- Torquay Community College
- St. Cuthbert Mayne School
- Penrice School
- Dartmouth Community College
- Brannel School
- Poltair Community School and Sports College
- Fowey Community College
Contact details: mark.white@plymouth.ac.uk 07793 840429
Cherry Hingston - Peninsula Programme Officer
Cherry graduated in 2007 finishing a Masters in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Kent. In her final year she specialised in Performance Applications and she has continued to develop her skills as a drama facilitator.
Since then she has worked in a secondary school in North Devon as a Maths Technician, as she has a love for Mathematics. She enjoys salsa dancing, going to the theatre, watching Sc-fi movies, and she is learning to play the drums (slowly). Cherry loves going to see live concerts, and will be attempting to go to as many festivals as she can.
Working for the Peninsula Programme is a new exciting chapter in Cherry's life, and she is looking forward to exploring 'beautiful Cornwall'.
Target Schools
- Hayle Community School
- Helston Community College
- Humphry Davy School
- Mounts Bay School
- Penryn College
- Treviglas Community College
- Camborne Science and Community College
- Pool School and Community College
- Redruth School and Technology College
Contact Details: cherry.hingston@plymouth.ac.uk 07793840433
Nadine Johns - Strand 1 Administrator
Nadine Johns has been working within the University of Plymouth since 1996, originally in Academic Partnerships. Since November 2004 Nadine has worked on the Aimhigher Peninsula Programme as the Strand 1 administrator. Alongside her passion for finance and preparing budgets Nadine enjoys music and is an avid party goer/organiser for her two children, and when there is time likes to watch one her favourite films - Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing. Nadine is the lynchpin for Strand 1, ensuring effective communication for our satellite workers.
Contact details: nadine.johns@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 587961
