We’re delighted to introduce Tracy, our new Product Director, who brings 20+ years of experience in safeguarding, education, and wellbeing. Her incredible journey spans working with SEN students, transforming educational processes, and driving innovations in education technology. Let’s get to know Tracy, her story, and her vision for the future in her own words!
Tracy’s journey began with her deep-rooted passion for supporting individuals with learning disabilities, inspired by her mother’s pioneering work in SEND education. Over the years, Tracy has worked across diverse roles: from Support Worker to Vice Principal, Safeguarding Lead, and later, Product Director at Smoothwall, combining her love for education, wellbeing, and technology. Tracy now joins us at youHQ, where she’ll continue making a difference for students and educators worldwide.
Where does your passion for safeguarding, wellbeing, and education stem from?
My mum worked with children with SEND throughout her career. She was a SENDCO at a local primary school and later became a Program Director and Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and SEND, and to write books on the subject. So I was always around and involved with children with SEND as I was growing up, which was definitely a contributing factor for me starting work with adults with learning disabilities as a support worker when I left school. I later gained my degree and teaching qualification and worked in a number of different settings including a PRU, a secure psychiatric hospital in the academic unit, and a specialist residential FE college. At Fortune College I was the Vice Principal and Head of Safeguarding but also had responsibility for moving the college from paper based processes to the adoption of helpful digital tools.
Underpinning all of this kind of work is of course, safeguarding and the wellbeing of the people we are supporting.
Looking for a change in career, I moved on to join Smoothwall (part of Qoria) who were the provider of the college’s filtering and monitoring solutions, as a Product Manager. This was my introduction to building education technology and I loved it! I was able to use my 20 years experience in care and education, safeguarding and wellbeing, and my love of problem solving, technology and design, to have a positive impact on millions of students and staff across the globe!
During my time at Smoothwall I progressed to the role of Product Director for a number of global products. It was during this time that I came into contact with Jon and Jez, and youHQ.
What attracted you to youHQ when we first met?
The genuine drive and determination to improve the lives of students and the staff who support and educate them. Providing tools and features to allow students to set their own goals, access relevant resources and take ownership of their own wellbeing journey, as well as a way to reach out for help and provide staff with access to wellbeing data for individuals, groups and the whole school.
If you could wave a magic wand, what would it do linked to wellbeing and safeguarding?
Provide schools with the funding they need, to remove budget as a deciding factor when considering which tools they believe would make a difference to their students. So that whatever is beneficial, can be provided. This would not only benefit students, but also the staff who currently have to make these impossible decisions.
Can you give one random fact that most people done know about you?
I’m a black belt in 3 different martial arts: karate, iaido (sword) and aikido.
Favourite film
Ah, now that’s an almost impossible question to answer. My top favourite film is probably The Fifth Element, but I am a big film fan and have so many favourites. From The Goonies and NeverEnding Story as a child, to Die Hard (yes, it is a Christmas Film), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Matrix, and many more.
Favourite song
Another impossible question! I listen to all sorts of music, as long as it has a good melody and I can sing along. I have so many artists and songs I love that I couldn’t pick just one.
Favourite thing to do in your spare time
Either artwork, gaming (PS5 and PC) or riding my motorbike when the weather is nice enough.
We couldn’t be more excited to have Tracy join us at youHQ! With her wealth of experience, genuine passion, and innovative mindset, she’s a perfect fit for our team. Tracy’s unique perspective will help us further empower students and staff, ensuring wellbeing and safeguarding remain at the heart of what we do.
Her leadership and background in adopting technology to solve real-world challenges make her an invaluable addition as we work toward making education better, safer, and more inclusive.
Please join us in giving Tracy a warm welcome! We can’t wait to see the positive impact she’ll bring to the team, our partners, and schools across the globe.
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