Welcome to East Coast College
East Coast College sits at the heart of our local community and has a pivotal role to play in supporting students to develop skills that enable progression to employment and higher education.
We are committed to providing the best learning experience possible and whatever your age, background or qualifications, all of our staff are on hand to support you in achieving your goals. Our subject offer is wide and offers progression from entry level, through to Level 7.
At East Coast College we give you more than just a course. Our innovative 16 to 19-year-old study programmes include visits, guest speakers, training opportunities and work experience as standard. Our students progress on to employment, apprenticeships and the country’s top universities so your possibilities for the future are endless!
We hope you find an opportunity that excites and inspires you at East Coast College.
Senior Management Team
Paul Padda
Principal and CEO
Paul has worked at Great Yarmouth College, now East Coast College, since June 2013. He joined as the Programme Manager for mathematics and English with additional responsibilities for adult, community and learning support, before taking up the role of Deputy Principal for Curriculum, Quality and Learner Experience. Previously, Paul has worked in various curriculum management roles at further education establishments covering all aspects of delivery and commercial work.
He has consistently helped improve standards of teaching and learning and outcomes for learners within all these roles helping the college to achieve an Ofsted ‘Good’ grading in 2020.
Paul holds a first degree in Law and a MSc in Computer Science.
Urmila Rasan
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
In her 20s Urmila Rasan was on the verge of being appointed executive director at one of the largest blue-chip companies in Sri Lanka. Yet she gave it all up to move to the UK.
An EY trained chartered accountant, Urmila started again as a junior in a new culture and new industry, rebuilding her career to become deputy CEO of East Coast College.
Along the way, Governor at Stanmore College and CEO of Raytheon Corporate Jets, Peter Mckee, also became Urmila’s sponsor and a mentor figure, which helped her to shape and further her career while also managing her family responsibilities.
Julia Bates
Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Strategic Partnerships
Julia joined East Coast College in May 2022 as Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Strategic Partnerships having worked in the further education sector since 1990. Starting as a lecturer at the former Great Yarmouth College and then Lowestoft College, Julia spent the next 19 years at City College Norwich. During her time there, Julia held a number of roles including Programme Manager, Head of School, Assistant Principal and finally Vice Principal of FE Curriculum and Quality where she oversaw the further education and apprenticeship provision across all three sites.
Julia describes herself as a ‘product’ of further education, gaining an BA PCE Teaching and Learning and MA in Teaching and Learning while working in FE, having previously left school with modest qualification attainment. She is passionate about community matters and raising educational standards locally and regionally, working towards providing every person the opportunities to reach their full potential in life.
Rachel Bunn
Director of Commercial and Community Projects
Rachel has worked at Lowestoft College, now East Coast College, since 2002 and was previously Executive Director of Curriculum and Quality and drove curriculum intent and development opportunities.
Rachel has vast experience of curriculum quality enhancement, stakeholder engagement, partnership working and meeting regional skills needs. Since 2019, she las led the college commercial training company, a range of ESF projects and is the college STEM lead.
Rachel studies at degree and masters level in Environmental Science and in 2015 also completed a MSc in Educational Leadership.
Outside of the college, she volunteers as Chairperson and Trustee of Chedgrave Oxygen Therapy Centre and runs a charity event management company.
Kerry Payne
Lowestoft Sixth Form Principal and Assistant Principal for Higher Education and Access
Kerry joined Great Yarmouth College, now East Coast College, in 2005. She has years of experience in curriculum development in post-compulsory education and has excellent understanding and implementation of quality processes and report writing. She also has experience with direct management of curriculum areas with responsibility for detailed self-assessment and review procedures.
Kerry has a Masters Degree MSc Science (Molecules in Medicine), PGCE Post Compulsory Education, QTLS status and BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology and Genetics.
Holly Chase
Assistant Principal
Holly was born and educated in the United States where she completed her degree in Business Management with a minor in events and travel and tourism. She moved to the UK in 2000 and studied Education.
Holly has worked at Great Yarmouth College, now East Coast College, since 2010.
She has investigated a wide range of pedagogical approaches both in Europe and in the United States and is passionate about people of all ages having the opportunity to be in high quality education.
Tom Roberts
Assistant Principal
Tom started his teaching career as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at City College Norwich upon finishing his MSc in Strength and Conditioning, during which he worked as an intern for Watford Football Club as a Sport Scientist. Having taught across all levels of Further Education and Higher Education, Tom moved into his first management role as Planning and Performance Manager. This role lead onto becoming City College Norwich’s Director of Resourcing and Performance in which he was the College’s Quality Lead.
After 12 years, Tom made the move to East Coast College in September 2022, joining as Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Quality.
Paula Ottaway
Assistant Principal
Paula joined East Coast College in August 2022 as Assistant Principal for Student Services and SEND. Paula started her career in Further Education in 2000, working at the College of West Anglia in the Childcare department after completing her BSc in Health and Social Policy (Childhood and Youth studies), followed by a PGCE in Post 16 Education. She moved to City College Norwich in 2007 where she completed an MA in Teaching and Learning and held a number of different roles including, Programme Manager, Head of Area and Director.
Paula has managed a number of different areas during her career including Childcare, Health and Social Care and Land Based Industries. However, her passion, is working with learners with additional needs and learning difficulties ensuring they have the best possible opportunities to succeed as they progress to adult life.
Ann Wall
Director of People and Wellbeing
Ann has worked in HR for more than 15 years. Starting at Asda in their head office during the time they were voted Britain’s best large employer, Ann learnt much about HR best practice that has seen her through a variety of situations in a variety of sectors (retail, oil and gas and education).
Ann was Head of HR for a multi-academy trust in Yorkshire when she relocated to East Anglia in 2017. Ann joined the college to support the merger and enjoyed it so much she has never left!
Ann is a passionate advocate that our people truly are our best asset and is determined to ensure that East Coast College is recognised as a great place to work.
Ann holds a BA (hons) in English Language and is a member of the CIPD.
Wendy Stanger
Director of Governance
Wendy holds a BA (Hon) in Politics and Law, a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management and Associate Member of Charted Institute of Management Accountants.
Wendy was formerly Head of Governance at Great Yarmouth College before becoming Director of Governance at East Coast College. She acted as Clerk to the Shadow Board and East Coast College Designate Board and oversaw all the legal requirements for the establishment of East Coast College and the subsequent merger with Lowestoft Sixth Form.
Wendy was for five years a member of the Governing body of her local infant school, including being Chair of the Finance Committee then Chair of Governors.
Wendy has a deep held belief in the value of the public sector and has worked in local government, NHS and HM Customs and Excise. At North Norfolk District Council Housing she held various management roles including Housing Business Manager and finally Strategic Housing Manager and was responsible for areas such as the management of Homelessness, Housing Policy, Strategy and Business Planning and Area Housing Management. Wendy was Project Lead for the council’s successful stock transfer project. She was responsible for producing the council’s Stock Transfer Application and for managing the process, including overseeing the work of the external consultants and ensuring that the project plan was implemented through to the production of the tenant’s offer document. Prior to that Wendy was an Internal Auditor in the Health Service, a VAT control officer and had a year’s sabbatical as Vice President of the Student Union.
Throughout her career Wendy has demonstrated integrity, development of creative solutions to problem solving, delivery to timescales and commitment and belief in the organisation. Wendy has a hands-on, participant leadership style and believes that a happy and valued team achieves the best results.