A Conversation With... Mrs Marcy Hanlon
We caught up with one of our newest members of staff in today's 'A Conversation With...' - Mrs Marcy Hanlon who quite possibly has the longest job title at the College! Mrs Hanlon is our new Head of Outdoor Education, Duke of Edinburgh Manager, and SSI of the CCF and in this feature, we learn more about her passion for outdoor education as well as some of her previous experiences in the field.
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I am the Head of Outdoor Education, Duke of Edinburgh Manager, and SSI of the CCF at the College. I have been here for three weeks.
What were you doing before working at Shiplake?
Previously, I was the Outdoor Education Coordinator at St Paul's Catholic School where I had the responsibility of planning, organising, and coordinating the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
My first big role in the field, however, was with the Royal Air Force for ten and a half years. I had a dual role as a Physical Training Instructor and Adventurous Training Instructor. As a Physical Training Instructor, my role involved designing and delivering physical fitness programs, conducting fitness assessments, ensuring the physical readiness of personnel, running sporting events, and liaising with HR about fitness test failures. As an Adventurous Training Instructor, I organised and lead outdoor activities and expeditions in the UK and overseas to develop team-building skills, resilience, and leadership among RAF personnel.
I have also had my own business in real estate where I was responsible for property sourcing, acquisition, management, and rental.
How have you been settling in at Shiplake?
It has been nonstop; however, everyone here at the College has been so helpful. If I have a question, they are quick to respond and eager to help. If it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t be able to settle in as quickly as I have.
You’ve got a lot of responsibilities in your title! What do they involve?
In Outdoor Education, I am responsible for developing and overseeing the outdoor education curriculum, including planning and coordinating outdoor activities, expeditions, and adventure trips. This also includes ensuring that all activities comply with safety regulations and risk assessments.
As Duke of Edinburgh Manager, I recruit and train staff, coordinate student participation, organise expeditions, communicate with parents, and liaise with the DofE Award organisation. I guide students through the various levels of the award, supporting them in their skills development, physical activities, volunteering, and expeditions.
As Combined Cadet Force Senior Service Instructor, I lead and manage the CCF programme at the college, organising training sessions, drills, camps, and exercises for cadets, as well as providing leadership and guidance in military and outdoor skills development. I also oversee the administrative aspects of the CCF, such as equipment maintenance and record-keeping.
Overall, my role is to provide leadership, direction, and support in promoting outdoor education, leadership development, and personal growth among the students at the College.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Outdoor Education?
Several factors inspired me to pursue a career in outdoor education. I was drawn to outdoor education because I have a deep love for nature and outdoor activities. I enjoy spending time in natural environments, and I want to share that passion with others as it provides opportunities to positively impact the lives of others, especially young people. I love helping others - instilling a sense of environmental stewardship, resilience, confidence, and teamwork in students just brings such joy.
Outdoor education emphasises experiential learning, where students learn through hands-on experiences in real-world settings. I value this approach and am motivated by the belief that outdoor experiences can be a powerful tool for personal and academic growth. I enjoy working with young people and facilitating their learning, and outdoor education offers a unique and dynamic environment for this.
I also appreciate the variety of the role and the range of activities involving those such as hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, and kayaking, which can be physically and mentally challenging. I thrive on giving the adventure opportunity to children, so they can seek personal growth through overcoming obstacles.
What is your vision for the future of Outdoor Education at Shiplake?
Let me get my head around what we currently have and deliver a good service. I’m sure by September I’ll have developments.
What do you do outside of work?
Most of the time, I am spending time with family and friends. I am also really interested in the performance of the body - from psychology to our gut microbiome - so I do a bit of self-study in the evenings.
What does the future hold for Mrs Hanlon?
How far are we talking? At the moment it’s just about me getting everything in order and delivering a good service. Once that’s done, we can think about developments and maybes.