Be Ready Team members

Sam Wenman: Outreach Manager

I have been at the University of Bath since 2013 and before that was a History Teacher & Deputy Head of Sixth form at Chancellor’s School in Hertfordshire. I have many years of experience both in school and at the University supporting students, teachers, and parents in regard to university applications and higher education in general. I currently lead the Be Ready Team and have an overview of all their operations and reporting. Please contact me if you have questions regarding any aspect of our work and programme.

Graham Waton: Outreach Manager

I have worked at the University of Bath since 2008. Initially I worked in the University’s International Office, then moved to outreach roles with the UK and International Undergraduate Student Recruitment Teams. I joined the Be Ready Team in February 2020. Please contact me with any questions about London schools and multi-academy trusts.

Michael Walsh: Outreach Officer

I completed my undergraduate degree in Bath studying human nutrition, and there I found a love for education. My degree, coupled with working for summer schools in Bath, lead me to completing a PGCE in secondary science teaching. Shortly after I went back to university working in outreach for 2 years before returning to teaching, this time in primary education. Now, as a member of the Be Ready Team, my broad experience of education gives me a good overview of the challenges and barriers faced by our young adults and their teachers. If you would like to discuss all things university and what we can offer you or your students then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Jake Chatfield: Outreach Officer

I am an experienced Outreach Officer having previously worked at the University of Essex, University of Law and in the charity sector. I have particular experience working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing information and guidance to increase aspirations to Higher Education. My specific areas of interest are Student Finance, UCAS, and alternative pathways to Higher Education. As the newest member of the Be Ready Team, I am looking forward to begin working with schools and supporting students on their HE journeys.

Gillian O’Carroll: Widening Participation Project Coordinator

I began working for the University of Bath in 2004 in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences as a programme administrator to a range of post-graduate courses. I joined the Be Ready Team in 2016 as the teams administrative officer. I manage the events calendar and booking requests, student ambassador bookings, and delivery of prospectuses to schools/colleges along with a range of other administrative processes. I can answer general questions you may have.

Samantha Jones: Outreach Officer (currently on maternity leave)

I am a qualified primary teacher with 10 years of experience working in schools including in Bristol, Spain and North Somerset. I have worked at the University of Bath for the past two years alongside my teaching roles. At Bath, I plan and deliver a programme of activities and resources for teachers to help their students progress to high tariff universities. Another part of my role is in creating Key Stage 3 and 4 sessions and workshops to be delivered in schools.

Sue Dimond: Outreach Officer (maternity cover for Samantha Jones)

I am a qualified secondary science teacher with over 20 years teaching experience in schools and FE colleges in the Bath area. I have a personal understanding of the issues that students face trying to find out about university and decide whether it is right for them, of teachers trying to support their students in applying for university given the other pressures of the job, and of parents navigating the system and understanding what their young person is going through. I have been at the University of Bath since 2016.