Sophie Shepard

An Early Years Teacher and Business Owner of a Montessori Nursery School in Marlborough, UK. Achieved an ILM Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management and completed a post graduate level course in Early Years Education. Has a BA degree in English Literature from Southampton University and a previous experience in roles including Marketing, Public Relations and Media Relations in sail training and magazine publishing. Holds a diploma in Graphic Design.

Director - College Fields Montessori Nursery School - Marlborough

(2010-09)

• Communicating with Parents, Social Services, Health Professionals and Council to provide an excellent level of early years care and education for 2 – 5 year olds.
• Keeping up to date with the latest legislation to secure our funding and ensure our safeguarding measures are the best in the area.
• Online research and resourcing to produce a creative and imaginative curriculum to suit different stages of development and to keep up to date with latest theories and modern pedagogy in the early years sector.
• Managing a team of Practitioners, promoting best practice and managing CPD and DBS checks for staff and Safer Recruitment legislation, HR and payroll.
• Carrying out child assessments and evaluations in accordance with EYFS/Development Matters and Ofsted requirements
• Promoting and marketing the nursery: writing content for our website, direct mail and social media advertisements and e newsletters to parents.
• Managing the funding applications and administration for bookings and events throughout the year.

Family care and studies - Self-employed

(2006-06 - 2010-09)

Looked after my family of 2 at home and studied and achieved Early Years Professional Status (EYPS level 6) through Open University and NDNA. Completed the Chapterhouse Copy Editing course.

Marketing Assistant - Merricks Media Magazines

(2004-11 - 2006-06)

• Led our team attendance at national exhibitions
• Reported on subscriptions, book sales and ROI each month
• Managed direct mail campaigns; writing copy and designing flyers and website graphics
• Researched online for new routes to market and for product promotion
• Designed in-house adverts and wrote book and product reviews for fillers

Personal Assistant to Dean of Academic Development - Bath Spa University College

(2004-09 - 2004-11)

A temporary role which required good communication with the Dean to collate and prioritise her work on Student Achievement records and create and share survey and assessments with the whole Department.

Au-Pair and Traveller - Self-employed - Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Los Angeles USA

(2003-09 - 2004-09)

Travelled round the world: Singapore - Australia - NZ - Fiji – LA, USA. Lived and worked as an Au-Pair in Sydney for 4 months for a Japanese family.

Media Relations Manager - Sail Training International

(2003-06 - 2003-09)

A freelance position, working with the Sail Training International Race Committee during the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race 2003.

• Liaised with media centres, ships' crews and host city committees to collate and communicate STI Race committee requirements and build media attention.
• Communication with Race Committee including managing and presenting updates from Race Director for media.
• Produced press releases and articles for media at international/national/local level.
• Edited the website with race updates, photographs and media news

Marketing & Public Relations Manager - Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST)

(2000-07 - 2003-05)

A national charity that aims to promote integration between able-bodied and physically disabled people through the challenge of tall ship sailing experiences.

• Editor of bi-annual Journal and website
• Project managed the staff attendance at national exhibitions.
• Produced feature articles and press releases for national and regional media and relevant consumer and trade magazines.
• Forged good working relationships with design agencies, media and volunteers.
• Dealt with a nation-wide network of volunteers to maintain localised media coverage and promote branch fundraising efforts.

Early Years Professional Status - NDNA and Open University (2010)

Diploma in Leadership and Management - Institute of Leadership and Management (2010)

Diploma in Graphic Design - Shaw Academy (2020)

BA Hons - English Literature - University of Southampton (1997 - 2000)

A levels - English Literature and Art - Dorchester Thomas Hardye 6th Form & Secondary (1992 - 1997)

GCSEs - Dorchester Thomas Hardye 6th Form & Secondary (1992 - 1997)