About Andy Wooldridge

Born and raised in Doncaster, England. Andy graduated from Sheffield Hallam University and completed his undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing (2:1). A key aspect of his 4 year sandwich degree was to work at an internship at Hewlett Packard. During his time over the course of the year he learned an incredible amount, both professionally and personally. It truly was a formative time which would ultimately impact his future teaching career. 

"I knew that I needed to join a profession which allowed my creativity to flourish."

After he completed his first year in corporate business and marketing, it was evident that he needed to join a profession which allowed his creativity to flourish, with a sense of accomplishment and to feel the impact from the work he did. So, from that moment he knew he would no longer pursue a career in the corporate world. But, instead look for a career which would allow him to enjoy what he did, and to learn new skills and develop professionally and socially.

"The children were challenging, the parents were challenging, but I found a great sense of community in the two schools I trained and I found that the teachers there were on another level."

Although his PGCE was one of the most challenging things he had ever had to do at that point in his life, it was more than worth it! Mostly due to the schools in which he trained, they were schools located in low socioeconomic areas of Sheffield. The children were challenging, the parents were challenging, but there was a great sense of community. The teachers were on another level. They were also so giving. 

It didn't take long to understand that this was the profession he would flourish in. After working in Sheffield, it was time to experience different cultures and languages. As It turns out, international teaching was very much on the horizon.

The rest they say... is history!