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Excellent student satisfaction
BGU is the second highest ranked public university in England for student satisfaction. Figures released today from the National Student Survey show that 92% of BGU students are satisfied with their university experience - that’s 7% higher than last year’s score and six percentage points higher than the sector average. Significantly seven courses reported overall satisfaction above 92%. Education Studies, Theology & Ethics achieved 100% satisfaction while three other courses – Early Childhood Studies, Primary Education with Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and Applied Studies – all recorded satisfaction levels of 97%. Dr Ruth Sayers, Executive Dean Learning, Teaching and International, welcomed today’s findings: “This is an excellent result for BGU and demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership with our students to improve their teaching and learning experience. We take what our students tell us very seriously and are always keen to hear what they have to say. We’ve introduced a number of initiatives to help give them a greater input including a new student engagement facilitator role which has been created to enhance and further develop a culture of staff and students working in partnership across the university. We’re also delighted with the overall response rate, which was 81% of eligible final year students, and would like to thank the Bishop Grosseteste Students’ Union (BGSU) for their support in encouraging people to take part.” BGSU President Kieran Parrish said he is thrilled with the outcome: “This shows that the students recognise the high quality of service they are actually getting from the university and that the relationship is one which is strong and transparent. From an SU point of view it is excellent to see how engaged and happy the students are, however, we know that there is always room for improvement. We are relishing the chance to build upon this and push ourselves to provide better for the students in the future.” The NSS statistics follow on from a succession of positive results for BGU. In April, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) published its review which found that BGU met its expectations in all areas – academic standards, learning opportunities, information and enhancement. In July, the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey revealed that BGU is one of the top three universities in the UK for student employability with 97.2% per cent of students who leave BGU with an undergraduate degree finding work or continuing to study six months following graduation. Also during the year, Ofsted gave a very positive rating for all of teacher education – early years, primary, secondary and further education – and praised BGU for having a “clear vision and an extremely strong commitment to their engagement with partners in the FE and skills sector”. The Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University, said it’s been an extremely successful year. “We’ve achieved some outstanding results this year which show that we provide outstanding facilities and support,” he explained. “It is also worth highlighting that we’ve recorded increases in all of the eight NSS question categories and attained one of the biggest rises in the country for overall student satisfaction. We conduct our own in-house survey every year and receive very positive feedback but it is very encouraging to see our students saying this in public. However, there is no room for complacency and we will keep growing the range of subjects on offer and further invest in improving our up-hill campus so that we can continue giving the students an excellent experience.” -
Mother and Daughter Graduate Together at BGU
A mother and her daughter graduated together from Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln on Wednesday 20th July. Carol Bailey (57) and Sammie Steadman (31) graduated with a Foundation Degree (FdA) in Applied Studies (Early Childhood). They both work at the Sunshine Children’s Centre in Burgh-le-Marsh near Skegness and juggled their studies and full-time work during their two years at BGU. Carol works full time as a supervisor at the centre while Sammie is the Deputy Manager. Carol never thought she would study at university but the foundation degree was the right fit for her because it requires a minimum of two years’ experience of work with children in their early years. “My daughter and I were working 37 hours and a half per week and going to university in Lincoln from Skegness on a Monday. It was difficult and time-consuming as even the weekends were being taken up, but it was enjoyable at the same time,” said Carol. “We knew everyone else on the course was in the same boat and we would talk to each other as everyone was either in full-time work or doing 12 hours’ voluntary work. “I never thought I could do anything like this so it’s definitely a proud moment, and graduating alongside my daughter has made me even prouder.” Sammie has now decided to continue via the top up degree onto a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies this September. “I was really happy to go to university with my mum. It takes us an hour to get there so it was nice to have that time together to catch up,” she said. “It’s going to be weird going back to BGU without my mum in September but I’m going back with people who I’ve already met in the past two years, so I should be fine. “My mum and I are grateful to BGU as all the lecturers were friendly and responded to all our emails.” -
Students discover early history of BGU
History students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln have delved into archives of student magazines to uncover BGU’s roots as a training college. The project, led by lecturer in History Dr W. Jack Rhoden, saw a group of four BGU History students work with BGU archivist Guenever Moyes to digitise and record a run of student magazines from the late 19th and early 20th century. The magazines were written and self-published twice a year by the female students of Lincoln Diocesan Training College (the college was renamed Bishop Grosseteste College in 1962 to mark its centenary) and contain a wealth of insights and information about life at the College. The first edition is from 1895 and there are contributions from former students and discussions of College history going all the way back to its foundation in 1862. We learn from these magazines that there was already an association of past members set up in 1892. The team also discovered that in its first 30 years the College produced nearly 700 students who went on to practice their profession and settle all around the globe, from North America to Australia, India and southern Africa. There is a plan to use these student magazines to inform a temporary exhibition at the British Association of Victorian Studies (BAVS) conference in mid-August 2017, and a more permanent exhibition of College history on campus in the near future. The aim of which will be to inform current and future students of the rich history of BGU as an educational institution with global reach and impact. Dr W. Jack Rhoden said, "Preserving and working on these magnificent magazines is a real privilege. They provide a window into the lives of the many ordinary women who went on to achieve extraordinary things as teachers and missionaries across the world." The project is in its early stages and is just the first of many seeking to digitise and promote the exceptional College records contained in BGU archives. Found out more about History at BGU. -
Mother and Daughter to Graduate Together at BGU
A mother and her daughter will graduate together from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln on Wednesday 19th July. Sharon Tory (47) will be graduating with a Foundation Degree (FdA) in Professional Studies (Early Childhood) while her daughter Megan Tory (21) will be graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies. The mother and daughter duo from Boston came to study together at BGU after attending an open day intended for Megan, who was looking for an early years degree programme. But Sharon had always wanted to be a teacher, and when she heard about the FdA Professional Studies course she knew it would be ideal for her. “I already work with young children at a pre-school and I didn’t think it would be possible to study for a degree alongside my job, but when I found out that the FdA course would allow me to do both I knew I had to consider it,” said Sharon. Megan started the three-year BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies course in September 2014 and was the first in her family to go to university. “I never wanted to be too far away from home so BGU was the perfect choice for me living in Boston.” said Megan. After debating whether to go ahead or not, Sharon began the two-year FdA degree a year later in September 2015. Sharon said: “At the start, it was a bit of a challenge getting used to working and doing a degree at the same time, but overall the whole experience has been so rewarding. “I never thought I would be able to do it, so it’s definitely going to be a proud moment graduating alongside my daughter.” Sharon will continue her studies via the top up degree onto the BA (Hons) Professional Studies course this September at BGU, and follow on with a QTS course to become a teacher. Sharon Tory will graduate at 2.30pm and Megan Tory will graduate at 10.15am at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday 19th July 2017. -
Wannabe teacher? Worried about your Skills Tests? We’ve got some good news for you!
The Department for Education has announced that thousands of would-be teachers are now eligible for three attempts at the professional skills tests they must pass to begin Initial Teacher Training (ITT) before they incur any cost, rather than one. On top of this change – worth up to £77 per candidate – the government has removed the lock-out period that previously prevented candidates from re-taking tests for two years if they had been unsuccessful in two re-sits. The announcement builds on a number of measures to recruit and retain high-calibre teachers, including a £75million investment in teachers’ professional development and follows the recruitment of 32,000 new trainees in 2017. In full today’s changes are: The removal of a lock-out period that previously prevented aspiring teachers from re-taking tests for two years; No limit on the number of tests, and the first three tests are free of charge to all candidates; and Refunds for anyone who has already paid for tests in this year’s recruitment cycle – on or since 24 October 2017. Today’s news adds to a growing number of initiatives to attract the brightest and best into the teaching profession, including: Increasing bursaries to £26,000 for all trainees with a 2:2 or higher in the highest priority subjects; physics, languages, chemistry, biology, computing, geography and classics. Offering a £20,000 bursary for maths trainees followed by two additional early-career payments of £5k each (£7,500 if teaching in local authority areas where teachers are most needed) in their third and fifth year of teaching, if they have taught in a state school in England since completing their teacher training course. Offering scholarship schemes in six subjects for 2018/19; physics, maths, languages, chemistry, computing, and geography. Successful scholars will receive £28,000 tax-free in all subjects except maths, where scholars will receive £22,000 tax-free. Offering bursaries for English trainees have been increased to £15,000 for all trainees with a 2:2 or higher, and bursaries in all other subjects are unchanged for 2018 to 2019. If you haven’t already, apply to BGU today and start training in September 2018. -
BGU Academics Share Practice and Advice with Chinese Nursery Head Teachers
Last week Alison Riley – Programme Leader Early Childhood Studies (ECS) – and Mary-Louise Maynes – Senior Lecturer ECS – of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) met with a group of Chinese Nursery Head teachers to discuss the practice and provision of Early Years Education. The visiting Heads were viewing nursery schools across the Lincoln area, exploring different options and methods of provision with the meeting at BGU offering a chance to talk informally and for the teachers to understand how Early Years education is taught. The work carried out on the ECS course at BGU facilitating the training of teachers to work in the Early Years sector was of particular interest to the delegates. With staff in their nurseries mostly untrained in education provision they were keen to find out about the different forms of training for early years professionals in the UK. With educational provision for under twos increasing in China, the Head Teachers were also very keen to hear about the work BGU does with its students to develop their understanding of the needs of young children in the 0-2 age range as encouraging this sector is an important objective for them in China. Mary-Louise Maynes was delighted with the success of the visit and excited at the prospect of further collaboration in the future: “They were full of enthusiasm for making links with BGU and we hope to create some opportunities in the future for us to share ideas about practice. At the end of the session they gave us a number of gifts made by staff and children in their nurseries which we are looking forward to sharing with our students“ You can find out more about our Early Childhood Studies degree along with our full portfolio of degrees on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team. -
BGU offers a ‘flavour of teaching’ to aspiring educators
Over 70 aspiring educators from across the country came to Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) earlier this month for a taste of life as a teacher. Run by the Primary Team (part of the School of Teacher Development at the BGU); the Pre-Teaching course focused on providing attendees with opportunities to gain hands on experience as well as advice from existing professionals. Each morning session was filled with practical activities allowing participants to test out their skills. Having prepared an exercise (including sourcing necessary and appropriate materials) they had to teach a small group of fellow attendees with exercises on offer including play dough making, Second World War history and ocean exploration. The afternoon sessions were focused on guiding the attendees through the application and training process. Aimee Quickfall, TD Head of Programmes for Primary and Early Years at BGU, praised the positive impact the course could offer: “The Pre-Teaching course is an opportunity for aspiring teachers to get a flavour of teaching with sessions designed to cover all aspects of life in education, not just what it feels like to run a lesson but also what a collaborative profession teaching is. Through this we can ensure that even when they hit difficulties they will know they’re not on their own”. The course was certainly a hit with the participants; Emily McCloud, a second year Early Childhood Studies student at BGU, felt that it provided a great opportunity for preparation ahead of beginning her journey into teaching: “I was quite nervous going into the course, becoming a teacher is a big task, but I feel so much more prepared now. It’s been amazing to get a taste of what is to come”. You can find out more about our PGCE programmes, including further Pre-Teaching courses on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team. -
BGU and Italian scholar make successful bid for prestigious Research Fellowship
Dr Gioacchino Curiello, a scholar from Pisa in Italy, has been awarded a highly sought after British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship worth £250,000 which will allow him to come to Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) as a paid researcher for three years. Dr Curiello fought off over four hundred other applicants for the annual award in a year when the British Academy described the competition “as particularly tough”. The Fellowship award recognises outstanding early career researchers offering them opportunities to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment. Dr Jack Cunningham, Bishop Grosseteste University’s Reader in Ecclesiastical History, mentored Dr Curiello throughout the process and he described the impact the award would have: “Dr Curiello’s award is not only enormously important for BGU’s research environment, but hugely important for the world of Grosseteste studies in general.” This award enables Dr Curiello and Dr Cunningham to work together on Robert Grosseteste’s 13th Century work On the Divine Names. During his three years at BGU Dr Curiello will travel to libraries in Paris, Florence, Oxford and the Vatican in order to consult the oldest medieval manuscript copies of Grosseteste’s great work. Eventually, the end product will be a published critical edition of this highly important book which will make a significant contribution to our understanding of one of the Middle-Age’s finest philosopher-theologians, and possibly Lincoln’s greatest ever bishop. BGU is dedicated to bringing cutting edge and innovative research to the Higher Education sector. If you are interested in becoming a part of that drive, contact our Enquiries Team or visit our website today to discover fascinating new opportunities. -
SENI course offers students the chance to present their research at international education conference
Richard D' Amelio, Psychology and Special Educational Needs & Inclusion (SENI) student at BGU, recently had the opportunity to present his research alongside fellow SENI student Sara Gorman at the International Conference in Education. Titled ‘Emotional and Behavioural problems in primary students: The importance of early diagnosis and assessment’, the research was well received and, following their presentation, they were able to build research connections and craft interesting ideas on future projects with colleagues at universities from Japan, the UAE and Egypt. For Richard, this was an unforgettable experience and he explained how his time at BGU had prepared him for both it, and the next steps he plans to take after graduating: “Three years ago, as I sat contemplating what university life may be like, expectations and aspirations always returned to the same theme; ‘I want my degree to be the gateway to special educational needs and inclusion research in the international arena.’ I believed, and still do, that obstacles and concerns facing special education are a global issue, and equally, a global response is required to address these issues through the exploration of the diverse cultural responses to SEN and dissemination of best practice. I am both pleased and proud to report that the opportunity to engage with a BG research internship culminating in an international conference involving this very theme, surpassed many of my dreams and I need to thank my SENI tutor for this. Most memorable was the opportunity to connect with international colleagues from Germany, the UAE and China, and the exciting experience of working alongside other presenters making last-minute improvements to their work in the hotel lobby with twenty minutes to go. The presentation itself? Yes, all those hours of preparation and practice in front of the mirror, and occasionally the dog, poor thing, appeared to pay off, and despite the natural anxiety involved in a debut presentation to international academics, our research was so well received, that the smile of accomplishment lasted for days. Ultimately, it was a privilege to represent BGU within the international research community. Throughout this experience, I often reflected upon the six BGU graduate attributes and was keen to demonstrate these attributes through my conduct and contributions. However, one attribute was especially relevant, one which is dear to my heart, through engaging with the project and conference, I became a fully-fledged Bishop Grosseteste University Global Citizen.” If you are interested in finding out what adventures BGU can offer you, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team to see our full portfolio of courses. -
Award Nomination for PhD Student’s New Book
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce that ‘Helping Children Develop a Positive Relationship with Food’ written by Jo Cormack, one of our PhD students, is a finalist in the Early Years Excellence Awards 2018, in the ‘Happy and Healthy’ Category. On reaching the finals Jo Cormack was delighted to see her hard work being recognised: “I’m really thrilled to have my book shortlisted for this national award, it’s a real honour. "Although there is much talk about health and nutrition in early childhood, I have long felt that early years practitioners need to be better supported when it comes to understanding the psychological aspects of feeding children. "My book is an attempt to address this gap: I have tried to draw on my academic interest and my clinical experience to share evidence-based best practice with those working with young children every day. Early years practitioners are uniquely placed to make a real difference to how the children in their care relate to food.” Everyone at BGU would like to congratulate Jo on her success and we will keep you up to date on how ‘Helping Children Develop a Positive Relationship with Food’ does when the winners are announced in September.
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