Search results
-
BGU celebrate women’s voting rights through Vote 100 events
The history of the campaign for votes for women is inspiring and compelling, and still has great political significance in the present. Through 2018 and since, staff and students at BGU and other Lincolnshire communities have been exploring this history and its contemporary resonance. This engagement has found special expression through the creation of a touring exhibition, exhibition ‘Vote100: A Lincolnshire View of Women’s Suffrage’, and we have captured some of the reflections on its production and importance. The exhibition, which is continuing to tour locally, was created collaboratively with other organisations and individuals, including Lincoln Central Library and the local Fawcett Society as lead partners. It has formed the showpiece for part of a series of events celebrating important dates in the history of women’s voting rights and the extension of the franchise by #Vote100BGU project at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and elsewhere in Lincolnshire through 2017-18 and into 2019. February 6 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which enabled all men and some women over the age of 30 to vote for the first time. July 2 2018 marked the 90th anniversary of the Equal Franchise Act, which gave women the same voting rights as men from the age of 21. December 14 2018 was the centenary of the first general election in which women could exercise their newly gained right to vote. BGU hosted a series of events in the lead up to the centenary on February 6 2018, and since. Lectures, debates, performances and more, including student-directed events, celebrated the important milestones. History and English Literature staff Dr Andrew Jackson and Dr Claudia Capancioni, and students, Elaine Johnson, Sian Hope-Johnson, Jasmine Mills along with team members from BGSU were particularly active in supporting the various events. BGU was founded in 1862 as the Lincoln Diocesan Training School for Mistresses, and through much of its history was a college specialising in preparing young women for the teaching profession. ‘Equal opportunities for women in professional life was at the heart of BGU’s original purpose. The history of the University over more than a century and a half make it a fitting setting to celebrate 100 years of progress in electoral and political opportunities for women.’ Dr Andrew Jackson, Head of Research, Bishop Grosseteste University. Upcoming dates: Our itinerant exhibition will contribute to the Wolds Women of Influence this summer. It will be at Spilsby Franklin Hall from 5th June to 26th July 2019. The exhibition will continue to tour throughout the year, please check back here for more information. Previous events: 2018, December 14. The Vote100 exhibition formed the backdrop to an event to mark the centenary of the 1918 General Election. The event also featured an extract from the play, 'The World At Her Feet', introduced by Dr Claudia Capancioni (BGU) and Stephen Gillard and Sam Miles (Lincoln Mystery Plays); an extract from the play, 'The Forgotten Suffragette', introduced by Phoebe Wall-Palmer (Lincoln Performing Arts Centre) and Rachel Baynton (Proto-type Theater); a talk by Prof. Krista Cowman (Lincoln University); and contemporary writings introduced by Dr Andrew Jackson, and read by Elaine Johnson, Sian Hope-Johnson and Jasmine Mills 2018, December 10 – 13. The Vote100 exhibition was placed on display in the historic Old Stonebow Guildhall on the invitation of the City of Lincoln Council, as part of the lead up to the centenary of the 1918 General Election 2018, November 17. The Lincoln Labour Club hosted the Vote100 exhibition for their event to recognise and celebrate women’s rights: ‘100 years of Women’s Suffrage: Learning from their Legacy’. The exhibition was opened by Karen Lee MP and Professor Krista Cowman from the University of Lincoln, who introduced the collection within its historical context and explored its ongoing significance. The event also featured readings from letters in the BGU archive of 1909, on the arguments for and against women’s suffrage. The readings were introduced by Dr Andrew Jackson, and presented by Elaine Johnson, Sian Hope-Johnson and Jasmine Mills. 2018, November 16. The Vote100 exhibition provided the stimulus and inspiration for a workshop with local schools for the Being Human Festival, led by Dr Claudia Capancioni and Sian Hope-Johnson. The Being Human Festival theme for 2018 was ‘Origins and Endings’. 2018, October 4 - November 13. The Vote 100 exhibition was on display as part of North Kesteven District Council’s Local Democracy Week, and tying in with European Local Democracy Week / UK Parliament Week. The portable exhibition was to be found in the Council Chamber, Sleaford Town Hall, and at Kesteven & Sleaford Girls High School in Sleaford, Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in North Hykeham, and in the Terry O’Toole Theatre, Nth Hykeham, over this period. 2018, September 27. BGU sponsored a Vote100-inspired evening event for the Lincoln Book Festival. The Festival’s theme for 2018 was ‘Revolution’, and under the banner of ‘Sisters of the Revolution, there were talks by authors Jane Robinson, Maggie Andrews and Janis Lomas, introduced by Prof. Krista Cowman of the University of Lincoln. 2018, June 4 – July 2. The exhibition ‘Vote100: A Lincolnshire View of Women’s Suffrage’, at Lincoln Central Library on Freeschool Lane, Lincoln. The exhibition was designed by History and English staff and students at BGU, Dr Andrew Jackson, Dr Claudia Capancioni, Elaine Johnson, Sian Hope-Johnson and Jasmine Mills; together with staff of Lincoln Central Library. The exhibition features Lincolnshire’s contribution, set in the context on the progress towards achieving the vote in 1918, and the equalising of the franchise in 1928. 2018, February 9. Women into politics event at BGU Students’ Union (BGSU). The evening included a debate on ‘who should sit on the iron throne’. Guest speakers included Lincoln MP Karen Lee, former BGSU President Becca Smith and BGSU Manager Abigail Rogers. 2018, February 6. Andrew Jackson and Sian Hope-Johnson, BGU SU Officer and Eng Lit student, featured on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, discussing the historical and contemporary significance of Vote100. Andrew and Sian appear a number of times through the first hour of a three-hour programme marking the event, available on BBC Catch-Up here. 2018, February 5. Parliamentary Reform in 1918: Continuity, Reform or Revolution? In this talk noted historian, Professor Martin Pugh, explored a number of important and relevant questions surrounding the Representation of the People Act 1918. 2017, November 27. BGU hosted the Lincolnshire heat of the Historical Association Great Debate 2017 on the topic of: ‘Was the 1918 extension of the franchise the most significant moment in British democratic history?’ The heat, organised by the City of Lincoln Historical Association was open to Lincolnshire schools and sixth form colleges. Further information is available from Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall at BGU. 2017, November 18 and 23. Part of BGU’s engagement with the national Being Human Festival on this year’s theme of ‘Lost and Found’. An event for two Lincoln-based schools on November 23 was organised in collaboration with the charities Slam Jam and First Story. The event on Saturday November 23 was open to the public and celebrated ‘Becoming teachers: women’s college life from 1862 to 1918’. This occasion considered the life and opportunities for young women in this period in history. Further information is available from Dr Claudia Capancioni at BGU. 2017, November 6. The first event relating to Vote 100, a lecture for the City of Lincoln Historical Association. Dr Andrew Jackson, Head of School of Humanities at BGU, presented ‘Life on the First World War Home Front: Distressing or a Blessing?’ Andrew was accompanied by Maureen Sutton, folklore historian and dialect poet. Maureen read some extracts of the work of the Lincolnshire home-front poet, Bernard Samuel Gilbert, whose writings considered the lives, experiences and opportunities for working women 100 years ago. Further information is available from Andrew or Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall at BGU. Articles: Dr Andrew Jackson: Celebrating votes for women one hundred years on, The Lincolnite. For further information: Dr Andrew Jackson, Head of Research, BGU andrew.jackson@bishopg.ac.uk Dr Claudia Capancioni, Programme Leader for English, claudia.capancioni@bishopg.ac.uk Staff from the Research Department at BGU are involved in the organisation of our Vote 100 events. Find out more about their work here. -
BGU staff and students raise charity funds at Christmas events
Staff and students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln raised money for charities at events over the festive period. The BGU Christmas Carol Service on 5 December, held in the magnificent surroundings of St Hugh's Choir in Lincoln Cathedral, took £355.33 during the collection for the staff and Students’ Union (BGSU) chosen charities. This year’s staff charity is The Book Bus. The Book Bus aims to improve child literacy rates in Africa, Asia and South America by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them. This year BGSU, through their annual Raise and Give campaign, have chosen St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice as their charity. St Barnabas’ mission is to ensure all individuals facing the end of their life in Lincolnshire receive dignified, compassionate care when they require it and where they ask for it. In addition, donations at BGU’s staff Christmas lunch and Winter Wine and Songs of the Season event in December raised a total of £266.45 for the BGU Foundation Fund. The BGU Foundation Fund was set up by the Alumni of BGU to support projects that enhance the student experience and help make a difference to other peoples’ lives. Wellingore WI for Community Music Provision also made a donation of £100 to the Foundation Fund. -
LiNCHigher inspires local young people to enter higher education with week of events
This week LiNCHigher is participating in events to help around 800 local young people and their influencers understand higher education options as part of a nationwide week of action. In Lincolnshire, young people are less likely to go into higher education than in other areas of the country despite similar GCSE results. LiNCHigher works across Lincolnshire as part of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP), funded by the Office for Students (OfS), to change this. It brings together Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and the University of Lincoln with 45 schools, colleges and other local organisations to understand how to best create tailored activities and events that give inspiration, increase aspiration and support young people in years 9-13 to plan their future education. This week’s events will give these young people an opportunity visit a university campus, participate in motivation workshops, learn new revision techniques and try online tools to help them make decisions about future courses and jobs. Naomi Prendergast, LiNCHigher Project Manager, said, “It’s really important for the local area and our young people that they are supported to achieve their full potential. There are some excellent further and higher education institutions in Lincolnshire where young people can gain the skills, experience and qualifications to succeed in the work place. Our Project Team work in schools and in the community throughout the year to raise aspirations and give young people the tools they need to progress onto higher education. We understand the importance of teachers, parents and carers in this journey and are committed to supporting them too.” The NCOP week of action (4 – 8 June) shines a spotlight on the national network of partners and will be accompanied by social media activity as well as events across the country. For further information, please contact Helen Lee on 01522 585623 or email helen.lee@bishopg.ac.uk Planned Activities Monday 4 June Goal Mapping – Lincoln Christ Hospital School: year 9 (Positively Mad) University of Nottingham visit – Lincoln Christ Hospital School: year 10 Motivation workshop - Barnes Wallis Academy: year 10 (Luke Staton) Goal Mapping – The Priory Witham Academy: year 8 (Positively Mad) Motivation workshop - Giles Academy: year 10 (Luke Staton) Tuesday 5 June UCAS Workshop – Walton Girls High School: year 12, 13 (Nottingham Trent University) Career Investigator – Giles Academy: year 9 Progress and pathways evening - The Priory Witham Academy: year 12 Summer school meeting – Bishop Burton College Wednesday 6 June Improving attitudes – Haven High Academy: year 9-10 (First Story) Progression evening – Walton Girls High School: year 12 Exam preparation and motivation workshop – Sir Robert Pattinson Academy: year 12 Road Hog Bus – Tunnard Street, Boston Meeting with Justin Brown, Lincolnshire County Council Thursday 7 June Motivation Workshop - Skegness Grammar School Student Voice - Walton Girls High School: year 9-12 Medical Mentee Induction – Kestevan and Grantham Girls School Futures Club – Giles Academy Parents Evening – Peele Community College: year 10 UCAS evening – The Priory City of Lincoln Academy: year 12 Friday 8 June Inspirational Speaker morning - Kamal Hyman – Lincoln Christ Hospital School: year 9 Heads of year meeting – University Academy Holbeach 2Engage Performance at Manchester Met University Student voice – Lincoln Christ Hospital School: year 9-13 EMWPREP Steering Group and Meeting – Loughborough University -
Winter Comes to BGU as Celebration of Women’s Voting Rights Continues with a Week of Unique Events
Throughout the 2017/18 academic year students and staff at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) have been hosting events as part of Vote100, celebrating 100 years of women’s voting rights. With Tuesday 6 February marking the centenary of the Representation of the People Act (the first step towards all women getting the right to vote) BGU’s activities step up a gear with three special events to honour the occasion. Delving deep into history The week begins on Monday 5 February with an open lecture helmed by the renowned British historian Martin Pugh. Titled ‘Parliamentary Reform in 1918: Continuity, Reform or Revolution?’ Martin will be a exploring a number of important and relevant questions surrounding the Representation of the People Act 1918 and its impact on British history. What effect did the war have on the campaign for the vote? Why was the Act so comprehensive? What was the significance of the terms of the Act for women? We’ll be examining all these questions and more. Winging our way to Westeros On Friday 9 February our amazing Student Union team have put together two events for an evening of ‘Women Leading Change’. Transporting the BGU campus to the land of Westeros; the evening will include a debate on ‘Who Should Sit on the Iron Throne’. Participants will be able join a house, declare for their female leader, and argue her case with other Game of Thrones fans (cosplay not essential but always welcome). Alongside this there will be another debate, but this time focused on the recent US election. Delving into the complicated world of American politics the speakers will be discussing whether, if she were a man, Hilary Clinton would have defeated Donald Trump. Joining BGU amongst the dragons and political intrigue will be guest speakers Lincoln MP Karen Lee, former BGSU President Becca Smith and BGSU Manager Abigail Rogers. Both events promise a fiery atmosphere and are not to be missed. Be a part of Vote100 All the Vote100 events throughout the week, and indeed the rest of 2018, are open to the public and will offer the opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the history of women’s suffrage and learn how the movement affected and changed BGU. You can read more about the events we have already hosted, as well as what is still to come, on our website. -
New Head to Lead Psychology Degree at BGU
An academic who specialises in how arts activity can facilitate mental wellbeing is leading the new Psychology degree course at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. Olivia Sagan has moved from University College London (UCL) to take up the post of Academic Co-ordinator for Psychology at BGU. For the first time from September 2013 BGU undergraduates will be able to combine the study of psychology with another degree subject, such as drama, history or sport. Olivia’s background in fine art and her work with mental health and community organisations mean she will bring a fresh approach to the teaching of psychology. “Psychology at BGU has got a particular flavour and draws on expertise in education, special educational needs, drama, arts and sport,” said Olivia . “We are really focusing on the arts and therapies, and social, developmental and community psychology. That makes it quite distinctive from other courses. “This focus, with its eye on community applicability, reflects my research and background in art and engagement with disadvantaged groups in the community.” Interest in the new course has been encouraging, says Olivia. “Those who have expressed an interest on the course are mainly those who want to go into education but who want to keep other doors open,” she said. “They may be interested in drama therapy, or they may want to apply a social psychological understanding to historical events; sport and psychology and English and psychology are also good combinations.” Olivia, a chartered psychologist, began her career as a psychodynamic counsellor but moved into education, becoming first a senior lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire and then a researcher at the Institute of Education in London, where she gained her PhD. She then took a post as Senior Research Fellow at the University of the Arts London before being appointed as Programme Director for the MSc in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology based at the Anna Freud Centre at University College London. “I’ve continued my research into mental wellbeing, interviewing people who have been using art as a means to aid their recovery journey,” said Olivia. “One strand of this work culminated in a film which was shown at Tate Modern last year and I am currently writing a book based on narratives of wellbeing to be published by Routledge in the coming year. “My appointment at BGU is an exciting opportunity for me to bring together my passion for psychology with my experience in pedagogy, the arts and community applications and provide a stimulating and critical psychology degree course which draws on the substantial existing strengths of this university.” The new psychology degree at BGU complies with the criteria of the British Psychological Society and the university is working with the BPS to achieve accreditation in the near future. -
Bishop Grosseteste to Celebrate University Title at Cathedral
The newly named Bishop Grosseteste University will hold a service of thanksgiving in Lincoln Cathedral later this month to celebrate its new title. The ceremony will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday 30th January and will also mark the installation of the Chancellor, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas DBE, and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Muriel Robinson OBE. Privy Council confirmed BGU’s new title in December 2012 after the Government changed the threshold number of students required for an institution to be called a university. Until recently only higher education institutions with 4,000 or more students could use the title university. Smaller institutions were called university colleges, but now all HE institutions with more than 1,000 students have the right to apply to call themselves a university. The ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral will be attended by BGU staff, governors and students, and it is also open to members of the public. After the ceremony invited guests will be invited back to the university for a private celebratory lunch in the form of a ‘posh pack-up’ using locally sourced produce. During the afternoon the University Court – a grouping of the university’s most senior stakeholders who come together twice a year to offer their insights and support – will have its inaugural meeting on campus. At 4.30pm the Rt Rev Christopher Lowson, Bishop of Lincoln, will give a lecture as part of BGU’s series of public lectures on what constitutes a good life and the implications for us all in trying to live one. The event is called ‘For all that has been – Thanks. For all that shall be – Yes’, a title which refers to the past and future success of the institution. Professor Muriel Robinson believes the new university title will benefit BGU greatly. “To be able to take our place alongside other UK universities is a symbolic moment for us which recognises the excellent teaching and research which goes on at Bishop Grosseteste University,” she said. “The new title dispels any confusion that the old one may have created. We have 150 years of history and have been awarding our own degrees since 2006, but the old name ‘university college’ put some people off. Now we will be better equipped to compete with other universities to secure the best staff and students.” The event is free of charge and open to the public. If you would like to book a seat, please contact Conferencing and Events Administrator Jessica Lyons on 01522 583681 or email jessica.lyons@bishopg.ac.uk before 16th January. Notes to editors: Bishop Grosseteste University was established in January 1862 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012. It is an independent higher education institution based in Lincoln which awards its own degrees at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level. It changed its name from Bishop Grosseteste University College to Bishop Grosseteste University in November 2012. “For all that has been – Thanks. For all that shall be – Yes” is a quotation from Dag Hammarskjöld (29th July 1905 – 18th September 1961), Swedish diplomat, the second United Nations Secretary-General, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. The quotation used for the title and leitmotif of the service comes from his book Vägmärken (Markings), a collection of journal entries published in 1964. For media information please contact:Jez AshberryShooting Star PR01522 52854007780 735071jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk -
Jade Flying High at the Winter Games!
Bishop Grosseteste graduate Jade Etherington is now a quadruple Olympic medal winner following a whirlwind couple of days in Sochi. She is now officially Britain's most successful winter paralympian. Jade became Britain's first ever winter Olympics medallist with a silver medal in the Alpine Skiing Women's Downhill - Visually Impaired category. She then added a bronze medal to her tally in the Super-G event, finishing just over a second behind Gold medallist and Team GB compatriot Kelly Gallagher. Another two silvers followed in the Slalom and Super Combined Super-G categories.She has two more chances to add to her medal haul over the next few days, competing in the Super Combined and Giant Slalom events. Jade, who graduated from BGU two years ago with a degree in Education Studies and Geography, was born with glaucoma and Axenfeld Syndrome - a rare eye disorder - Jade has less than 5% vision in each eye. She is Britain's number one visually impaired alpine speed event ski racer, winning a bronze medal in the 2013 World Championships and reaching the medal podium 28 times in 32 races. "Jade is not only an inspirational athlete but an inspiration to everyone she meets," said Graham Meeson, Head of Education and Learning at Bishop Grosseteste University. "Her attitude and the way she has handled steadily losing her eyesight is a testament to her character and she has demonstrated that there really is no barrier that can prevent you achieving your goals and competing at the highest level." Skiers with blindness or a visual impairment are guided through the race course by a sighted guide using signals to indicate the course to follow. This involves a high level of trust between the athlete and the guide, and they are both awarded medals if they reach the podium. Jade competes with ex-Team GB athlete Caroline Powell, who skis closely in front of Jade at speeds of up to 65mph and uses pre-determined commands via helmet radios to help Jade to negotiate the course as quickly as possible. Jade and her guide Caroline are both on Twitter - you can follow them now at @raceyjadeski and @CarolineSkie -
RAG to Riches for BGU Student Fund Raisers
Bishop Grosseteste University's Students' Union (BGSU) has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award after raising over £46,000 for charity. It's a finalist in the Most Improved Fundraising Group category at this year's FIG (Find, Invest, Grow) National Student Fundraising Awards next Wednesday (27th August). Run by elected students to represent the interests of students, BGSU raised around £5,000 during the last academic year. This year, however, it has managed to raise an impressive £46,031.32 - eight times more than last year! Chris Robertson, former Raise and Give (RAG) Officer and newly elected SU President, said: "It's amazing to see how far BGSU has come this year. To have raised almost 10 times more than last year's amount and be nominated for a top award are both incredible achievements! "I would like to thank everyone who has helped us either by taking part in an event or making a donation. We couldn't have done it without your support." The money has been raised through a number of activities including a week-long hitch-hike from Lincoln to Croatia and a jailbreak challenge where students had to travel as far away from Lincoln as possible in 36 hours without any money; the winning team managed to travel to Paris. The majority of the cash, however, was raised by a group of 41 students who went on a three-week volunteering trip to Romania to help teach English to children and renovate local buildings. The group managed to collect over £37,000 thanks to individual donations and taking part in various fundraising events including sponsored sports matches and the Lincoln 10K. Twelve different charities will benefit from the £46,031.32 raised, including Cancer Research UK, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Bishop Grosseteste University Foundation Fund. The Reverend Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of BGU, said everyone at the university is extremely proud of what the students' union has managed to achieve. "The amount the students have managed to raise during the past 12 months is phenomenal and will make a massive difference to a lot of people's lives," said Professor Neil. "I wish BGSU the very best of luck at this year's FIG National Student Fundraising Awards and hope they come back with a trophy. Even if they don't win it is still an incredible achievement and will hopefully inspire our students to raise even more in the coming academic year - although admittedly £46,031.32 is a hard target to beat!" The winners of the 2014 FIG National Student Fundraising Awards will be announced at a ceremony on 27th August 2014 at the National Railway Museum in York. -
Great War Talk to Honour Tragic Beechey Brothers
Eight Lincoln brothers joined up to fight for king and country in the Great War – but only three returned. The story of the Beechey family of Avondale Street in Lincoln will be told next week by author Michael Walsh, whose book ‘Brothers in War’ (2006) tells the tragic story of Barnard, Charles, Frank, Harold and Leonard Beechey who were all killed in World War One. Mr Walsh will give a talk on the subject at Bishop Grosseteste University on Monday 10th November organised by the City of Lincoln branch of the Historical Association and the university.There will also be a special Lincolnshire at War exhibition, supported by the Lincolnshire County Council Archives, which will feature a selection of the Beechey brothers’ letters on display alongside other First World War artefacts. This will be the first time these documents have been put on public display outside of the archives. Descendants of the Beechey brothers will be attending the event, which takes place in Armistice Week and two days before The Last Post is premiered at Lincoln Drill Hall.The Last Post is a new play which has been written for the Lincoln Mystery Plays Company, based on hundreds of letters home written by the eight brothers that are kept in the Lincolnshire Archives. The Beechey Boys WW1 event begins in the Robert Hardy Building at BGU at 5pm on 10th November with refreshments and a book signing by the author supported by Waterstones, and the talk will start at 6pm. There is a £3 charge for the event but BGU staff and students and members of the Historical Association can attend free of charge. The talk is just one of a number of historical events regularly staged at BGU, which will launch a new joint degree in Archaeology and History from September 2015. We currently offer single honours History but the new joint honours degree will offer a wide variety of modules across the subjects of archaeology and history. We have particular strengths in public and community archaeology and students will also gain skills in these areas as they study Britain’s Roman and mediaeval past. -
Trainee Teacher Navigates Path to the Classroom
She’s flown sorties in a Tornado jet over Iraq and Afghanistan, but after ten years in the RAF trainee teacher Jenny Shackley is now taking on a very different kind of challenge. Jenny (31) from Woodhall has just started a one-year postgraduate course at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln and hopes to be teaching maths in a Lincolnshire secondary school this time next year. It’s a far cry from her role as a Tornado navigator, but the mathematics she used in the RAF helped her decide to train as a maths teacher. Now she wants to put down roots and work with young people, and she’s won a £25,000 scholarship from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) to help her achieve her goal. “I was in the RAF for ten years from 2003 to 2013 and did three tours of Afghanistan and two tours of Iraq,” says Jenny, whose partner is also a Tornado navigator currently based at RAF Coningsby. “I spent lots of time away and now I want to settle down and work with people so I decided to go into teaching. I wanted to be a teacher first and foremost; maths is a subject I enjoyed at school but I didn’t have a lot of self-belief. However I used it a lot in the RAF, and that’s given me more confidence with the subject.” With a mortgage and bills to pay Jenny looked round for bursaries, but then found out she was eligible for the IMA’s scholarship which exists to promote good mathematics teaching in schools. She passed the rigorous three-stage application process with flying colours and now benefits from membership of various mathematical bodies as well as access to events and a network of scholars with whom she can share ideas. “I definitely wouldn’t be doing this course if I hadn’t got the scholarship,” said Jenny. “I needed some sort of income so I was delighted when I found out that my application was successful.” With an open degree from the Open University Jenny began looking for teacher training courses in Lincolnshire, and she soon decided that a place at BGU was for her. “I’m very happy that I came to BGU,” she said. “I get a sense that this university is a very positive place and I definitely got a good feeling as soon as I walked onto campus. From day one I’ve been given all the information I need and it feels like a place I can work in and feel I’m being treated well. Our tutors have given us a strong sense of ownership of the course. I think it’s a really good environment.” If you would like to find out more about BGU’s teaching courses, including the PGCE (Secondary) qualification, call Admissions on 01522 527347 or email enquiries@bishopg.ac.uk.
Explore BGU
Browse our wide range of degree courses and find the perfect one for you.
Open days are the best way to find out what BGU has to offer.
Download your copy of our prospectus to find out more about life at BGU.