For the last eight years, I have had (and continue to have) the good fortune of acting as an External Examiner for a number of innovative and meticulously run English, Media and Writing FDs and BAs across the country. This has given me extensive and detailed experience of programme and module design, codes of practice, quality systems and regulations connected with all aspects of undergraduate and post-graduate pogramme standards. It has also given me a national overview of the learner experience and the different levels required and expected from academic, creative and professional perspectives.

I can offer support to your programme, either new or established, as an External Examiner, Course Consultant or Academic Contact where you may not have a departmental specialist or require a third party to evaluate and comment on potential course design or changes - a common occurrence when validating courses outside the portfolio of an awarding body. I can advise on all aspects of Programme Learning Outcome development, Module Learning Outcomes and module structure, assessment criteria, assessment delivery strategies, assignment briefs and the devising of appropriate course materials and delivery methods over a wide range of subject specialisms.

I am also able to assess the strength of programmes in relation to QAA Subject Benchmarks, whether they adhere to the Framehwork for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) or the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Due to my Senior Fellowship of the HEA, I can also contextualise the effectiveness of courses and their staff in relation to current UKPSF descriptors - something that might be of value for Continuing Professional Development of new and current staff.

My current Externalling duties are for Manchester Metropolitan University's Single and Combined Honours BA in Creative Writing at the Cheshire Campus, and two programmes validated by Lancaster University at Blackpool and The Fylde College - the Foundation Degree and single Level 6 BA top-up for Media Writing with Production and English: Communication at Work. Previous EE tenures include the Open University, where I examined a portfolio of short writing and comprehension units, and the University of East London where I spent four enjoyable and rewarding years supporting the excellent staff delivering the BA Professional and Creative Writing course.