Meet the team
Philip Dent, SCiP Alliance Director
Phil is Director of the SCiP Alliance. He works with the Board to set the long-term direction and priorities for the Alliance and leads on the Alliance’s key strategic relationships, including with national governments and departments.
He worked in industry before two decades in education starting in schools as a teacher and leader of whole-school programmes. He led a multi-agency, multi-phase regional further and higher education partnership and as Chief Executive of The Progression Trust he led research, development and training on the theory and practice of whole person approaches to progression for children, young people and adults in the UK and in Australia.
As a consultant, researcher and advocate, he was an adviser to the Office for Fair Access on national and research policy and strategy, co-founded the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers and later oversaw its spin out as an independent charity. He has served as a member of, and adviser to, various Boards and has a Masters in Research.
philip.dent@winchester.ac.uk
Katherine Lawrence, SCiP Alliance Head of Operations
Kath is the SCiP Alliance Head of Operations. She manages the Alliance's programme of activity and leads the staff team, leading the growth in scale and quality of support for Service children’s educational progression.
She is a Clore Social Fellow and a Member of the Association of Project Management. With an education background, Kath has worked for the University of Winchester since 2013. She delivered a range of projects and activities in partnership with schools and colleges and developed the University of Winchester's outreach programme for Service children in Hampshire. Kath recently completed a Master of Research in Education, including a dissertation evaluating an educational programme.
Kath also teaches Japanese and Chinese, enjoys supporting her local Scout group and leads on education and evaluation as a trustee for the Rural Refugee Network.
katherine.lawrence@winchester.ac.uk
Rachel Lad, SCiP Alliance Projects Manager
Rachel is the SCiP Alliance Projects Manager. She supports the success of the Alliance’s core operations and financial management and oversees the lifecycle of a range of projects.
She has 12 years experience working in the higher education sector in widening access and outreach and has led a range of projects and events for targeted groups. Most recently, Rachel was the Network Coordinator for the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) before NNECL became an independent charity. Rachel is a governor at a local primary school which has a number of Service children and families.
rachel.lad@winchester.ac.uk
Victoria Fisher, SCiP Alliance Engagement Manager
Vicki is the SCiP Alliance Engagement Manager, working to increase the scale and depth of engagement of schools and other partners with the online Thriving Lives Toolkit and the wider community, helping them to develop and continually enhance their support for Service children. This role is kindly funded by the Veterans Foundation and Armed Forces Education Trust.
Vicki has over 11 years experience of teaching in a Creative Arts department within the Further Education sector. She was involved with the organisation of numerous events throughout the academic year to engage a diverse audience, whilst also supporting students to succeed and being involved with pastoral care. Vicki has also coordinated multiple successful fundraisers, raising money for children's cancer charities.
victoria.fisher@winchester.ac.uk
