Carolyn Porter

Carolyn Porter is the Programme Director for Work-Based Route Programmes at St Mary's University, overseeing initiatives such as the FdA Primary Education, FdA Early Years Education, and BA Primary Education Work-Based Route with QTS. She joined the university in 2015 as a Placement Lecturer in the Centre for Workplace Learning and transitioned to her current leadership role in 2019. Her work focuses on creating accessible pathways for teaching assistants to pursue formal qualifications while working.

Carolyn holds a BEd (Hons) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from Leeds Beckett University, specializing in English and Music. With over 25 years of teaching experience in Scotland and London, she has held roles spanning Key Stage 1 and 2 education, including senior management positions. She has also collaborated with a local Literacy Advisor, leading English-focused initiatives and supporting schools in her borough.

Her research interests emphasize equitable access to the teaching profession, particularly for working classroom teaching assistants, and the integration of work-based learning into higher education. Carolyn advocates for inclusive education, with a focus on SEND and PE specialisms within her programmes.