Wendy has over 20 years’ experience of working in higher education, including 15 years supporting care-experienced students at the University of Sunderland. Wendy has been an active member of the National Strategy Group since 2016 and was North East Regional Representative for NNECL between 2016 – 2023.
In her current role, Wendy is the institutional contact for care-experienced students which also involves providing advice and guidance for prospective students, applicants, supporters, local authorities, virtual schools and designated teachers. She works closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders to provide an effective support network for all care-experienced and estranged students.
Wendy works closely with a number of local authorities and virtual schools in the north-east region. She is an active member of a number of collaborative partnerships; Wendy is Chair of the Board of Governors for Sunderland Virtual School and Chair of the NERAP Regional Steering Group for Care Experienced Students. Wendy is committed to ensuring that the ‘student voice’ is at the heart of her practice, working closely with students so that those with lived experience influence priorities, targets, and improvements.
As part of her wider role at the University of Sunderland, Wendy leads the Widening Access and Participation Team which includes pre-16 educational outreach and scholarships and bursaries. She is also the institutional contact for estranged students and Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman and Boater (GTRSB) students.