EDUCATION

2004 – 2005                Masters in Environmental Law and Policy University of Kent (Merit) – areas of law covered were Conservation and Natural Resources, Land Development, Environmental Quality, International Trade Law and the Environment, World Trade Organisation Law and Practice and EC Environmental Law and Policy. The degree focuses on social and legal analyses of national and international law. Two of the six essays I covered included an analyses and familiarisation of the IPPC Directive and the argument for and against the premise that the WTO is the most preferable organisation to tackle the complex relationship between trade and the environment. My dissertation looked at whether international law was adequately formulated to ensure that States were held responsible for transboundary environmental damage caused by activities under their jurisdiction and control. This included the Convention on EIA in a transboundary effect and the Protocol SEA attached to this Convention. 

2003 – 2004                Graduate Diploma in Law at Guildford College of Law (Commendation – equivalent to a 2.1) – Areas of law covered are Land, EU, Equity and Trust, Contract, Tort, Criminal and Constitutional law. My extra curricular subject was negotiating skills. Extended essay on Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

1997 – 1998                NVQ Level 3 in Owner Management – Business Plan – Darlington Business Venture, Co Durham – researched, designed and assimilated information needed to create a successful business, looking at all the marketing, economic and legal aspects of a sustainable business. 

1993 – 1994                Post Graduate Certificate in Education, University of East Anglia 

Jan to Mar ’91             Teaching English as a Foreign Language Diploma – International English Language Services – Sri Lanka – Grade A – Beginners to Advanced

1988 – 1990                Environmental Science BSc (Hons), University of East Anglia (2.2)– My degree course combined theoretical knowledge, laboratory experience and empirical research, that has provided me with a broad range of abilities required in environmental science and management. This course followed a highly integrated approach covering many different disciplines, providing me with a fully comprehensive understanding of the subject. Subjects; Energy Resources and Conservation, Aquatic Ecology, Soil Science, Epidemiology and Toxicology, Environmental Politics, Environmental Economics, Maths and Land & Water Resource Development. My dissertation was based on the environmental implications which arose when commercial expansion was allowed to take place in Sri Lanka relying on a Cost Benefit Analysis and omitting an Environmental Impact Assessment, which when done would have prevented the environmental issues and the resultant social and financial problems.  

1986 – 1987                Scandinavian Studies – University of East Anglia (Transferred to the Environmental science degree after returning from Sweden, where I studied Ecology - 1987 – 1988). Learnt to speak Swedish fluently. Designed and built a mini environmentally friendly home which included renewable energy and building resources which provided the most effective insulation. 

1984 & 1986               A-Levels Law, Maths, Statistics & Zoology, Guildford Technical College, Surrey 

1980 – 1982                O-Levels; Biology, Chemistry, Maths, English Literature, English Language, Weydon Comprehensive School, Farnham, Surrey

ICT Skills                     Competent on the computer in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, various data bases and Legal Internet research engines such as Lexis Nexis and Westlaw.

EMPLOYMENT 

2007 to date                 [snip] (Part time) – Mentoring newly qualified teachers and coordinating PE and Personal, Social and Health Education. I am training staff on the correlation between the use of positive language and improved behaviour. This includes modelling good teaching methods and techniques and providing staff training sessions. The job relies on my expertise and knowledge to act as a consultant to the school and teachers. 

2007 to date                 Relocation Company – I work as a relocation consultant researching areas and property for senior employees of companies such as [snip] etc to provide accommodation, schools and a general knowledge of the area. 

2007 to date                 [snip], Germany (Part-time)– Proof reading official documents and their Web page in order to extend their range of applicants to non-nationals. 

Summer 2004               Worked as a Temporary Legal Secretary at [snip] Solicitors and [snip] Solicitors          

2001 – 2003                Year 6 Teacher and Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator – [snip], High Wycombe

-         Always ensured that the lessons were meticulously planned, this inspires and motivates the students and creates an industrious and positive working environment. This was especially important within this particularly challenging school.

-         Trained colleagues to apply lateral thinking skills concentrating specifically on the gifted and talented students but simultaneously raising the educational standards for the school.

-         Organised risk assessments. In one year alone I arranged 13 trips. This required forward planning, as each application must pass through the hands of the Governors and the LEA. For the majority of the trips I raised money from available grants as the school was in a socio-economically deprived area.

-         Much of the time was spent thinking on your feet when dealing with potential problem situations to avoid both short and long term discontentment between the students. Each day bought with it unexpected changes which had to be embraced whilst maintaining a high standard of education and fairness. 

1998 – 2001                Partner and Practitioner in Holistic Therapies – [snip], Co Durham – part time

-     Marketed the business by designing brochures, giving public talks and radio interviews. I forged links with other businesses offering alternative services to provide a comprehensive information network for our clients.   

-         Purchased products, monitoring sales and identifying further products which had become fashionable within the industry, this increased our sales revenue.

-         Taught Holistic Therapies and business skills to other practitioners and beginners who were interested in setting up a business or developing their existing one.

-         Kept monthly accounts and provided our accountant with clear and organised end of year accounts.

-         Set up links with Darlington Business Venture entitling us to free advice on all areas of the business for two years and a grant to pay for half of our marketing expenses.

-         Worked with people both as a practitioner and in an advisory role to

help reduce stress and improve their overall health. 

1995 – 1998                Year 5 Teacher and Science Co-ordinator – [snip], Isle of Wight 

-         Co-ordinated science throughout the school revising its scheme of work, training staff in areas they felt weak in and offering new ideas to enhance motivation

-         Organised assessment and analysed data to highlight students’ strengths and weaknesses for governors reports  

1994 – 1995                Supply Teacher in [snip], Nottingham and Derby

-         Taught in some very challenging schools 

Mar ’91 – Sep ’93       Travelled around Australia and Sri Lanka working as a language teacher and an events organiser for Lotus Development. Worked on statistical analysis for Schlumberger and British Gas 

Oct ’82 –  May ’83      Insurance Bookkeeper  - [snip], Johannesburg, South Africa                                                           

INTERESTS & PERSONAL AIMS

Sailing - whilst living in Sri Lanka actively participated in dinghy racing, winning the Island’s Rear Commodore cup.

Fell Walking – Walked through most of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors, Cheviots, Peak District and other national parks of the UK. A desire to extend my hiking challenge has lead me to a seven day trek across an isolated area of Iceland and the difficult climb of Roraima in Venezuala

Adventure sports – Have been fortunate enough to try sports such as white water rafting on the Zambezi, canyoning in Norway, sky diving in Zimbabwe and learning to fly a helicopter in sunny High Wycombe.

Mountain Biking – Spent 10 days mountain biking through the difficult terrain of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco covering approximately 60 km each day

Plus I play golf, tennis, badminton and squash