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Learning from the best
At Rockley College, our dynamic and dedicated team represents a blend of industry expertise and teaching excellence. Our staff bring years of hands-on experience in sports, outdoor activities, and teaching. Beyond academics, they serve as mentors, safeguarding-trained professionals, and mental health first aiders - fostering an environment where every student thrives.
Clare Hicks
Head of Education
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As a former Head of Curriculum at a local sixth form college and also having worked for Pearson, our exam board, Clare brings a wealth of knowledge to the team and an overarching approach to quality. In other words, she’s super organised!
Having travelled the world as an Instructor and Ski Rep, Clare really knows and understands what the outdoor industry can bring to an individual. She lives and breathes what she preaches and describes herself as surfer, snowboarder, day dreamer, traveller, coffee lover, creative thinker and definitely one of life's positive thinkers!
Qualifications: RYA Dinghy Instructor, RYA Windsurf Instructor, PE Teacher, Hockey Coach!
At Rockley since: August 2018
Katie Pearce
Centre Administrator
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Before Rockley Katie was travelling around Australia and Southeast Asia. Having worked for a watersports company in Bondi, and being forced to cut her travels short due to Covid, she discovered working by the beach at Rockley Point was the next best thing! Katie looks after all the College administration and acts as a real confidant to the students.
The super power she would want to possess if she could - To breath under water!
At Rockley since: June 2021
Mark Ames
Education Programme Lead
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Mark has over 15 years experience of teaching from middle school, secondary, college and degree level. As a fully fledged sports enthusiast he has an interest in almost all sports and in his younger days would always be seen on the football or cricket pitch. Unfortunately age has taken his toll and these days you are more likely to see him on the golf course! What started as a leisure activity, is now a borderline addiction!
Qualifications: PE Teacher, various levels of NGB coaching in cricket, golf, football, dodgeball, athletics, disability football
At Rockley since: August 2018
John McMaster
Education Teacher
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John started as an instructor at Rockley spending all of his time on the water. Now he spends much of his time teaching in the classroom on our college courses. He may just get out on the water from time to time...
A keen sportsman, John loves running, cycling and windsurfing.
Qualifications: RYA Dinghy Scheme Trainer; RYA Powerboat Instructor; RYA Windsurf Instructor; RYA Yachtmaster
At Rockley since: March 2010
Amy Jackson
Education Teacher
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From a Rockley College student, to working in the outdoor industry, to a teaching degree at Birmingham University, to returning as a teacher! In a short amount of time, Amy has achieved a lot and is a very welcome addition to the Rockley College team!
After graduating with a triple distinction, Amy went on to work as an Activity Instructor in Devon before deciding on a teaching degree at Birmingham City University where she ‘worked her socks off’ for three years.
Despite having dyslexia, Amy has made sure that it does not act as a barrier to what she or anyone else with dyslexia wants to achieve in life.
"A vocational course allowed me to discover so many things about myself. I don’t think would have happened if I had continued on at school. I achieved the same UCAS points as some of my friends who stayed on to do A-levels – I just took a different, and for me, a better route."
Qualifications: PE Teacher
At Rockley since: September 2024
Amelia Clarke
Apprentice Learning & Skills Teacher
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Amelia was one of our stand out students when she joined our Level 3 Sport (Outdoor Adventure) course in 2018. A former student at Queen Elizabeth School, Amelia then went on to study Physical Education and Sports Coaching at the University of Chichester. Now in her final year and as part of her course, Amelia is back with the Rockley family, taking on the role of Apprentice Learning & Skills Teacher Sport & Outdoor Adventure Level 5.
She is hugely enthusiastic and has a great rapport with our current college students.
“I initially chose Rockley College way back in 2018 because I wanted to combine my passion for the outdoors with a full-time education and development programme whilst gaining qualifications. It's so great to be back!"
Qualifications: RYA Dinghy Instructor, RYA Windsurf Instructor
At Rockley since: July 2018
Matthew Higginbotham
Education Practical Lead
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After working in North Wales for a year, it was time for Matt to move onto another challenge. He joined the team in March 2017, taking on an Activity Instructor role and the rest as they say, is history! He is now the Education Practical Lead.
As well as being active on the water, Matt has always loved being in the water! He has spent many years scuba diving which has taken him to so many amazing places. His absolute passion however, is windsurfing. You will often find him blasting out on the water during his lunch break, after work and on the weekends with his fellow colleagues.
At Rockley since: 2017
Pete Smith
Education Practical Tutor
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After a year working at plas Menai, Pete joined the Rockley crew in March 2017 and has been here ever since! He's worked at many of Rockley's centres teaching a variety of courses and is now a Practical Tutor for Rockley College.
He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES windsurfing, especially freestyle and he will be out on the water at every opportunity, whatever the weather!
At Rockley since: March 2017
Finley Dickinson
Education Practical Tutor
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Finn graduated from Rockley's 2-year Diploma course, also gaining his RYA Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructor qualification. He then joined Rockley's Apprenticeship programme, keen to take the opportunity to work and learn at the same time.
“I love watersports – it’s my passion and if you want to succeed, you’ve just got to put yourself out there and work for it.”
Finn has now joined Rockley as a full time member of the Education Team and is the perfect person to lead our students as they pursue their career in the outdoors.
Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure), RYA Dinghy Instructor, RYA Windsurfing Instructor
At Rockley since: September 2022