Meet the Programme Managers

There are many highly skilled and committed people working in support of the Critical Skills Programme. It is their dedication to this innovative approach to learning which is key to its success. Below are some details on the Programme Managers for Scotland, England and Wales. We are sure they will be delighted to meet you on our training courses or at other events.

Andrew Pearce

Andrew was born, bred (and buttered) in Cardiff. He spent his teaching career in various primary schools in South Wales. Before joining the Critical Skills Programme, he was a deputy headteacher in the Rhondda Valley. He enjoys playing the guitar, watching films and travelling. He loves learning but especially learning about learning! Being a Critical Skills Trainer and Programme Manager affords him the privilege of being able to immerse himself in his passion. Favourite quote ‘Seek first to understand, then be understood.'

Maggie Clark

Maggie started her teaching career as an English and History teacher in the 1970s in her hometown of Dundee. She moved into support work following completion of the DipSEN in 1990. She came across the Critical Skills Programme in 2000 and went to work in Oban High School in 2002 where Critical Skills was to be the vehicle for driving the L&T agenda forward. She took up the post of Assistant Programme Manager to Colin Weatherley in 2007 and is now CSP Programme Manager for Scotland. ‘Dares to dream' of the transformation of Scottish education into a world leader through CSP teacher training focussed on the Scottish govt's Curriculum for Excellence.

Maria Hybszer

Maria is Critical Skills Programme Coordinator for Scotland. She was a former primary school head teacher in West Lothian in Scotland with 35 years of primary teaching experience. Two of her strengths lie in curriculum and staff development and Maria was a development officer for the 5-14 programme in Scotland in the 1990s, working with primary and secondary teachers as well as business and industry to help integrate Science and Technology into the primary curriculum. She was on the steering group in West Lothian to help drive Curriculum for Excellence forward before she took early retirement in 2008.