Associate Head of School for Initial Teacher Training - Primary
I am the Associate Head of School for Initial Teacher Training in Primary Education within the Faculty of Education and Society. I am responsible for leading a team of dedicated academics who are passionate about education and the training of new teachers. I lead on the development of our primary provision which includes BA Primary Education, BA Primary Education with SEND, BA Education Studies (including Integrated Foundation Year) and our wide range of PGCE Primary programmes (including School Direct, Part-time Distance Learning and Apprentices).
My experience in higher education started in 2013 when I joined the University as a Lecturer for Primary Education Science. I led science across our primary provision, providing engaging sessions which developed the subject knowledge and pedagogical approaches of our trainees. My leadership role has developed over my time at the University and I have been Programme Leader for both the PGCE Primary and BA Primary Programmes. During my years leading these programmes we saw a huge rise in student numbers and student satisfaction.
Prior to joining the University, I had over 16 years of successful teaching experience throughout the primary school. During my time in school, I was History and Science subject coordinator before moving into Senior Leadership. My leadership role was that of Pastoral Support for pupils and staff, including mentoring student teachers and those new to the profession and undertaking their probation year. I was also a staff governor for over ten years.
Teaching and supervision
I currently lead the final module on BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS.
Negotiated Curriculum Study is my favourite module on the course. It allows trainees to choose an area of personal interest, identify an issue within this area and then create a resource which addresses the issue. The written analysis of this forms the assessment of the module and trainees are supported by a tutor from the primary team. It is a pleasure to work as a tutor on this module and see how trainees develop their ideas and often use this work as an example of their passion when they attend job interviews.
My previous teaching roles within the University have been linked to science provision on the primary courses.
I have supported trainees during their school placements, as well as leading placement modules on PGCE and BA courses.
As a Personal Academic Tutor, I have supported trainees on PGCE courses (including School Direct) and BA Primary. This role supports the academic development and pastoral care of students.
My experience has also allowed me to work within the International PGCE programme as a tutor and as an assessor of students undertaking the Assessment Only Route to Teaching.
Research
My MA dissertation: An analysis of an episode of The Big Bang Theory and a consideration for its potential impact on the science identity of girls.
My interest lies in engaging females with science and science-based careers and the potential influences on this, including science identity and science capital. I am interested in further considering the influence primary school teachers have on the identity and passion that pupils develop during these early years of their lives.
- Early Years and Primary Education
- Primary Science
- Early Mathematics
- Pastoral support to enable the development of staff
