Testimonials

You can leave a review here.


General feedback

"Ann is an outstanding practitioner who has worked across a wide range of educational providers to gain a thorough understanding of quality assurance; in particular teaching, learning and assessment. I continue to use Ann's resources for my own delivery and I highly recommend her books." Sharron Carlill - Assistant Principal (Quality and Compliance) at The White Rose Beauty Colleges


Website and materials

"I used your website and a lot of your materials to learn and develop. Which in turn allowed me to then write my own centre policies, procedures and practices! I am very grateful for all the material you have produced, as it's put in such as simple manner that it can be digested and understood! So many resources are in educational/legal speak, which turns you off from the word go and is a nightmare to digest!" Ben Saville, Managing Director at Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance Services Limited


CPD Event at NICVA in Belfast

"Members of OCN NI’s compliance and audit and qualifications teams attended a training workshop on 'Improving teaching, learning and assessment' led by Hilary Read and Ann Gravells, leading authors in vocational and work based education.

The workshop reviewed best practice touching on important aspects of planning, delivery, assessment and quality assurance with a focus on content from the authors’ new publication The Best Vocational Trainer’s guide. This was an opportunity to examine aspects of good practice across a key qualification field relevant to several sectors in Northern Ireland."

Lisa McAllister, Compliance & Audit Officer, OCN NI


Teaching and Learning Conference at The Manchester College

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of The Manchester College for such an informative and thought-provoking CPD session delivered at the College’s annual teaching and learning conference. Feedback from teachers has been very positive indeed and they have asked me to pass on their appreciation to you. 

Your research, depth of understanding and ability to present in such an engaging way produced one of our most memorable CPD events and gave a great boost to our teaching staff." Helen Whelan, Quality Manager, The Manchester College 

 

"I just want to express my thanks for the session you delivered at The Manchester College's teaching and learning conference. It was great to meet the person whose books helped a new person to the educational environment years ago.

I left my job in construction to embark on a new career in teaching and was struggling to make sense of everything, and was thinking of leaving. One of my workmates gave me your book and it helped me enormously. This not only gave me an insight to what to do in everyday sessions but also gave me a greater appetite to learn and teach.

I passed my level 4 teaching qualification and have since completed my Certificate in Education, assessor units, verifier units and my Degree in Education, not bad for a lad from a building site who was ready to give up his dream of teaching." Paul Pritchard, Client Operations Manager, The Manchester College


 

Consultancy day for LAPD

"I was fortunate enough to spend a day with Ann recently to chat through a couple of qualifications I wish to deliver. I had a list of things I wanted to run past her and a heap of questions to ask too. What happened was that I gained FAR more than I expected from the day and I had a great time.

I learned a lot about the courses for which Ann had already designed resources for, and had available for download. I bought some books and was given a lot of very useful documentation and links, superb! I am planning to have these qualifications designed, checked and up and running in a couple of months." Mac Macdonald LAPD


Consultancy day for ATR Ltd

"Thank you for your recent one to one advice and guidance.  Your understanding of education and training subject matter in the adult sector, including other relevant subjects was exceptional, and has saved our business hours of fact finding work which will ultimately save us time and money. We look forward to working closely with you in the future." John E Phillips, Business Director, Advanced Tactical Resources Ltd

ATRJPG



 

Seminar - teaching, learning and assessment at Leicester College
“The team and learners found the session very good and I know many of them want to go and explore the links you provided.  It was also a pleasure to speak to you and, despite the uncertainty surrounding the sector, you still managed to motivate and inspire me further. As I said on the night, hopefully I can follow in your footsteps and impact the sector in some way in the not too distant future.” Anthony Aylmer


Annual Teacher Training Conference organised by New Bubbles 

"I wanted to express my thanks for your contribution and insights at the teacher training conference. The event produced a good set of issues, argument and debate amongst the delegates and was expertly handled by our speaker team. Most importantly, I am so pleased you agreed to take part, and have the chance to meet you and work alongside you." Paul Tulley, New Bubbles


SMART NEJPG 

Refresher training for staff at SMARTT North East 

"Ann’s blend of innovation and professionalism was exactly what we needed on our PTLLS/TAQA refresher training day.  At SMARTT North East we have strong opinions on our projects and Ann was able to take on board our ideas and steer us towards outcomes of such high quality. We highly recommend Ann, and her resources are second to none." Barry Joyce and Chrissie Garbutt, SMARTT North East Ltd


Staff training day - Improving teaching, learning and assessment at Aylesbury College 

Feedback from attendees:

“There were several examples of exercises that I could apply to my teaching to make my lessons more enjoyable for me and my learners.”

“This session has given me ideas on how to open workshops with different activities. Also, how to include assessments and evaluate what has been learnt.”

“Liked sharing best practice and hearing new fresh ideas.”

"I learnt some new ideas to make workshop learning more fun and interesting.”

“I will use this training to try new ideas and refresh old ideas and activities. A good opportunity to share best practice.”

“I can take the different learning and assessment activities and apply them in my own teaching.”

“Gave me new ideas relating to improving the learning of my students.”

“Greater range of teaching and learning (particularly) assessment methods to create different activities, opportunity to try new methods in the classroom.”

 

Equality and Diversity Seminar at North Lincolnshire Council

“The feedback from staff has had an overwhelming consistency. Staff felt that Ann had a wealth of experience that came over very easily. The delivery was very well planned and all staff were comfortable with the engagement/quiz - it was non-threatening and made them think. Comments included that the presentation was interesting throughout and informative. One or two said that sometimes speakers can be a little boring . . . but Ann was not, it was really interesting and the time went too fast.”  Chriss Tomlinson, Operations Manager North Lincolnshire County Council

 

Graduation Ceremony Speech at Joan Patterson Associates 

"We were able to discuss with Ann prior to the event what we would like and Ann accommodated our requests. Our learners very much enjoyed meeting the person behind the book. Ann was very personable and very proactive in making her contribution to the event by going round and speaking to all the graduates. Everyone commented very positively on this." Karen Carroll, Centre Manager 


External report for courses taught by Ann at Bishop Burton College

“The course evaluations for all cohorts and the learners I interviewed indicated the benefits of the tutorial system and the effectiveness of the additional support provided by the course leader before and after the sessions. An additional strength is that as the course leader is a practising teacher and freelance consultant and is able to give 'tips and hints' from her own extensive practice which learners who were new to teaching found particularly helpful. The learners spoke very highly of the model of best practice provided by Ann to which they could aspire. All evaluations have been very positive in relation to every cohort.”  Dr Susan Mullins, External Verifier, City & Guilds


Feedback from some of Ann's past learners:        

  • "Really good help from Ann, a brilliant teacher that has taught me so much in 12 weeks".

  • "Ann delivered the course in an exceptional way. I found all aspects of the course both challenging and rewarding. I felt very supported and well prepared for every assessment, including the micro teach."

  • "Thank you for a brilliant course, I know you put so much effort in to it and it showed! It was really in depth and I found that everyone was of the same opinion as myself - we were all really pleased with it." 

  • "Not only has this course given me a greater understanding of the methods of teaching, it has also given me the tools to help me reach my future goals. I really enjoyed the entire course. Ann proved to be a fantastic teacher and I'm so glad I chose to take this course with her."

  • “Ann made the course enjoyable and I now feel more confident to teach. She is authoritative and knowledgeable and gave me lots of constructive feedback and ideas to teach my subject.” 

  • “The course was worthwhile and enjoyable. Ann is extremely competent and made complex topics easily understandable.” “Ann gave us lots of helpful tips and I now feel much more confident.” 

  • “My enthusiasm for teaching has now increased – along with my confidence.” 

  • “The course has allowed me to introduce and understand the theory side of teaching, and to challenge myself to undertake new tasks. It has explained the learning cycle and learning styles in a very easy yet in depth way, which I believe is greatly a credit to Ann’s relaxed but professional teaching style.” 

  • “I was apprehensive at first at taking the PTLLS course but I need not have worried. Ann made me very welcome and never made me feel awkward when I asked questions.” 

  • “Ann encouraged and supported me throughout the course. I hadn’t realised just how much I had learnt until I looked back.” 

  • “I learnt not only from what we covered on the course, but by watching the way Ann taught and responded to us all.” “Ann is a great role model to learn from!” 

  • “The delivery methods and styles were excellent. Ann made sure everybody was included and catered for all our needs.” 

  • “Ann is very experienced and professional; she explained everything in a way that made it easier for me to understand. Her feedback on my assignments was really helpful and I have gained a lot to help me with my teaching career.”  



Home     About     Ann's books     Information     Online courses & CPD     Resources     Videos     Cart/checkout     Contact