Meet Tracey, Assessment Standards Manager
Life at Cambridge
After 23 years of teaching English, I decided to pursue a new challenge. While I loved education, I was working 60-plus hours a week as a Head of Department, and the next step in schools meant even more hours. I wanted to continue making a positive impact but with a better work-life balance.
In 2022, a friend shared a job advert for OCR, Cambridge’s UK exam board, and I decided to apply. I was drawn to the opportunity to use my teaching skills in a new way. I’d never worked in assessment before, but with my background in education, I felt ready for a fresh start.
Since joining Cambridge as an Assessment Standards Manager, the shift in workload has been incredible. Unlike teaching, I now have the flexibility to structure my day around family needs, and I no longer spend most weekends working (but, when we do, there is time off in lieu). I often tell my teacher friends that every Sunday feels like an extra holiday!
One of the most rewarding parts of this role is the collaboration. At Cambridge, teamwork is prioritised and I’m able to spend time problem-solving and working on projects from start to finish. I still feel connected to education, but now I ensure exam papers are accessible, marking is fair, and grade boundaries are set accurately.
Looking back, I wish I had explored this path earlier. Teachers often think they can’t find fulfilling roles outside of the classroom, but the skills we develop are highly transferable. If you’re ready for a change but still want to make a meaningful impact in education, I’d recommend exploring opportunities like this one at Cambridge.
