Let's meet another member of the White Rose Maths team...
Posted 14th April 2022
It's time to meet another member of our brilliant team.
We work hard to help millions of teachers, pupils and parents embrace maths. It takes all kinds of people across multiple departments to make the White Rose Maths magic happen, and we think it's time to celebrate the many different individuals who are all making a difference.
Meet: Penny Barnard-Shaw
But what exactly does Penny do at White Rose Maths to support our lovely customers around the world? Let's find out!
What is your job role at White Rose Maths?
I joined White Rose Maths just under a year ago as the new National Tutoring Programme Lead. With tutoring more critical than ever because of Covid, and our team selected as a programme provider, I was excited to transfer my fifteen years’ experience working in health and community care to the education sector.
What does a typical day at work look like?
My key responsibility is to ensure the delivery of a high-quality tutoring service in line with the national programme. This involves engaging with schools day to day, on-boarding new schools to the programme and making sure their pupils are happy. Our team of tutors are in high demand, and so we need to work efficiently to support as many pupils as we can. Every day brings a different but exciting challenge!
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
In all honesty, one of the highlights for me has to be receiving incredible feedback from our schools and students. It emphasises the impact White Rose Maths has on young people during their learning journey, and not just in maths. By helping them enjoy studying, they are also finding other aspects of their lives are improving. I have to say, I wouldn’t want to work for any other organisation, with the support and culture at White Rose Maths both phenomenal. What an incredible team they are!
Tell us what you love the most about the 1-Minute Maths App.
What’s NOT to like about 1-Minute Maths?! It’s so much fun to play! I really like the Subitising tasks; they challenge you to think on your feet instantly. The 60-second style of learning makes it very appealing to children (and adults like me, with a short attention span!). The fact you can challenge yourself and your peers on repeat is so engaging.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
That’s easy – I would love to learn to fly a plane! Aviation has always interested me, and I think it symbolises freedom. It would be amazing to just hop in a plane and fly yourself to a far-away destination at your will!
Finally (just for fun!), where would we find you if money was no object?
You might have guessed from my previous answer that I like to travel, so I would definitely take myself away to new pastures. I really like places with plenty of culture and exciting architecture, rather than just sitting on a beach. If I could travel more but still perform my current role from different places, that would be my dream. Imagine being able to work from somewhere new every week!
