Meet the Rep: Sophie Dobbs
Subject Specialisms: Maths (GCSE), RS (GCSE/AL), Medical Science (L3 AAQ).
Eduqas Regional Representative Sophie shares her transition from teaching to supporting educators and her dedication to improving educational experiences:
I have 16 years of experience as a teacher, specialising in Chemistry, and I am deeply passionate about education. I began my career in the classroom and loved being a teacher, which led me to take on the role of Head of Department for Science. In this position, I grew the department into a faculty that included Engineering as a vocational offering, providing learners with diverse opportunities for their academic growth. I was an Associate Assistant Headteacher for 3 years, where I took responsibility for communication, events, and celebrating the achievements of the school community.
After my time as a classroom teacher, I transitioned to the role of Lead Digital Learning Officer. In this capacity, I collaborated with teachers and subject experts to create high quality digital resources that support the new Made for Wales qualifications. This role deepened my understanding of curriculum development and strengthened my ability to engage with stakeholders across education sectors, ensuring resources meet the needs of both teachers and learners.
I was attracted to the role of Regional Rep because I wanted to use my experiences in teaching, leadership, and resource development to support teachers, Heads of Department, and school leadership teams in achieving their goals. At this stage in my career, I felt driven to help educators navigate challenges and deliver high-quality learning experiences. Being part of Eduqas, a brand known for its commitment to supporting schools with high-quality qualifications, felt like the perfect next step.
The Regional Rep Team is a group of individuals responsible for promoting Eduqas qualifications and providing tailored support to centres across the country. My role as a Regional Rep involves advising and guiding centres on qualifications, assisting with curriculum delivery, and fostering relationships between Eduqas and educators. I also attend events, engage in ongoing communication with schools, and provide feedback on how we can best support centres in achieving their teaching and learning goals.
A typical day can vary depending on the needs of the centres, but it often includes a mix of activities like virtual meetings, responding to emails, providing advice on qualifications, and planning events. I might attend CPD sessions for teachers, meet with colleagues to discuss strategies for supporting centres, and conduct visits or webinars to provide guidance. Staying connected with schools and ensuring their needs are met is always a priority.
The most fulfilling part of my role is knowing that I’m contributing to the success of educators and students. Being able to provide practical guidance and support for teachers helps them feel confident in delivering the curriculum, and I get satisfaction from seeing the positive impact this has on students' learning experiences. Additionally, building relationships with schools and being part of their journey is incredibly rewarding.
What I like most about working for Eduqas is the strong commitment to quality and the collaborative spirit within the organisation. There is a real focus on supporting teachers and centres to ensure they have the resources and guidance they need to deliver high-quality education. Additionally, working within a team that values feedback and is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the education sector makes it an exciting and fulfilling place to work. I look forward to the future as I see how the organisation’s ambitions are aimed at developing qualifications to support learners as the landscape of education continues to evolve.