Meet Our Support Team

At OAS, we’re committed to supporting all our learners to fulfil their potential. As well as helping the next generation to gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours that they will need to be successful in their future careers, we also provide all kinds of extra assistance so that each and every learner is supported to overcome their particular challenges and to be the best that they can be.

Our fantastic support team is available to all learners throughout their learning journey with us – let’s meet the team!

Dave Lee – Quality Manager

Designated Safeguarding Lead, British Values and Prevent Lead and Quality Manager

Dave leads our team of Safeguarding Officers as well as our Prevent and British Values strategy to ensure that any vulnerable learners are protected from harm during their apprenticeship. He also oversees our quality processes, making sure that we’re continuously improving our programme and that any learner issues are resolved quickly and effectively.

When he’s not at work, Dave can either be found clocking up some more miles on his road bike, or getting stuck into a good box set on the telly. His claim to fame is once playing darts with the late Eric Bristow, and no surprise losing miserably!

Donna Pinches – OAS Programme Manager

Female Support and Learner Forum Lead

As a Female Support, Donna provides assistance to learners of any gender who would prefer to discuss their matter with a female member of the team. She also leads our Learner Forums, planning and chairing the sessions, and using learner feedback to shape our quality improvements.

As well as overseeing all of our learners’ journeys whilst they’re gaining their off-the-job engineering training in the OAS centre, Donna is a qualified dance teacher, and enjoys teaching ballet, modern acrobatics and tap to children in Oxfordshire.

Peter Hodges – Apprentice Coordinator

Safeguarding Officer, Male Support, ED&I Officer and Wellbeing Champion

As a Safeguarding Officer, Peter is available for the confidential and rapid escalation of any safeguarding concerns, and he’s also on hand as our Male Support for learners of any gender who would prefer to discuss any issues with a male member of the team. In his ED&I role, he provides support to any learners facing welfare issues, helping to ensure any extra needs are identified and fulfilled, and signposting helpful Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG). Like all of our Wellbeing Champions, Peter is a trained Mental Health First Aider, offering confidential conversations, support and access to additional guidance and resources for both learners and colleagues.

Peter’s hobbies are traveling, all sports and going on long walks with his two dogs.

Lenka Edwards – Apprentice Trainer

English support

Lenka offers support for learners who need assistance with their written English, assessing literacy competency as well as helping people to develop new skills through practical exercises.

In her spare time, Lenka is an advocate for women who are afraid to speak out on personal issues and current affairs. She’s also in the process of setting up a blog that will serve as an open platform for women to come together to talk about any personal affairs without the fear of being judged, share ideas and get advice and information from monthly guest speakers.

Kristina Robinson – Curriculum Leader

Maths support

Kristina assists learners who need extra support with their Maths, assessing numeracy competency as well as encouraging the development of new numeracy skills through practical exercises.

Before she became a maths teacher, Kristina was a colour specialist hair dresser in London. She still enjoys experimenting with colourful hair creations on her daughter, who is always a willing victim for Kristina’s new crazy combinations.