OllieBray.com: About Ollie

Welcome to my space on the Internet.

If you’re looking for a conference biography you can find a long one here and a short one here. You can also find out more about some of the projects I’ve worked on and what some (nice) people say about me here.

You could also check out my LinkedIn profile for more information or to get connected.

"The views on this blog are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer."

So what about me…

I am a qualified headteacher currently seconded to work as National Adviser for Learning and Technology Futures at Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS). LTS is the government-funded agency in Scotland responsible for curriculum design and innovation. I work within the learning and technology directorate as part of the futures team. Other projects in our directorate include GLOW (the national intranet) and Scottish Schools’ ICT.

My substantive post is Depute Head Teacher (vice-principal) at Musselburgh Grammar School in East Lothian, Scotland. I’ve worked in Scotland for the last ten years and held a variety of roles including Classroom Teacher, Head of Department, Head of Faculty and Depute Head Teacher.

I’m committed to the education of young people in Scotland, the UK and further afield. I remain passionate about the role of ICT and outdoor learning to enhance learning and teaching. This commitment has resulted in a wide variety of exciting projects and consultancy work throughout the UK and further afield. I am also very lucky to have had the opportunity to speak to a range of audiences on a number of topics.

As well as working in schools and education authorities I regularly lead international youth expeditions to global locations. Previous expeditions have included ventures to Cascade Mountains, Alaska, Wyoming and various locations across Europe.

When I’m not working (which seems to be most of the time!) I try to get out on my mountain bike, paddle my sea kayak or explore the Scottish hills.

I live in East Lothian, Scotland, but grew up in Weymouth the sunny seaside town in the south of England. People who know me will testify to my love of proper coffee, real ale and single malt whisky.

Qualifications

Academic ones:

BSc (Hons) Geography, 1st Class, University of Plymouth
PGDE Geography (with ICT elective) University of Edinburgh
Full Registration from the Scottish GTC
Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH)
Postgraduate diploma in education leadership and management (University of Edinburgh)

Exciting ones:

UKMLTB Mountaineering Instructors Award (MIA)
SMLTB Winter Mountain Leader Award
BCU/SCA Level 4 Sea Kayak and Inland White Water Kayak Coach with A4 Assessor Status
HSE First Aid Trainer
25m bronze swimming certificate (without putting your feet down)

Other skills:

ICT literate
Excellent presentation skills and project management
Unparalleled enthusiasm (to the point of annoyance)

Awards and recognition:

2009 – First Place. Microsoft European Innovative Teachers Forum for ICT in the Community.
2009 – UK Microsoft Innovative Teachers Award for Computer Games Based learning.
2008 – Became Apple UK Distinguished Educator
2008 - Scottish Qualification for Headship academic course prize.
2006 – Microsoft/SQA Partners in Learning Award for Geography GEOCASTS project (some of the first on-line revision content using RSS on the web).
2005 – John Dickie Award to investigate the role of Interactive Voting Systems in the classroom.
2004 – Learning and Teaching Scotland ICT Enhancement Award from International Weather Station Project.
2003 – Learning and Teaching ICT Enhancement Award for Geography at Altitude Project.
2002 – Royal Geographical Society Award for Innovative Geography Teaching