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Paralympian and BGU Alumna Jade Etherington Launches New Toolbox for Teachers
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) alumna and multi-medal winning Paralympian Jade Etherington has launched a new subscription box designed to support teachers. Building on her experience teaching in an inner-city school in Peterborough Jade has ventured into creating her own business to help support the teaching community with ‘The Happy Teacher Toolbox’. Each Teacher Toolbox contains personalised items including stationery, crafts and self-care items for teachers and their students. Additionally the boxes will have some sustainable products and products from other teacher businesses to help the teaching community thrive. -
British Educational Research Association releases findings on BGU research on NQT experiences
The British Education Research Association (BERA) have released initial findings of a British Academy funded research currently being carried out by Bishop Grosseteste University’s (BGU) Professor Phil Wood, Dr. Emma Clarke and Dr. Aimee Quickfall. The blog post, titled ‘How newly qualified teachers are coping in the time of Covid-19’, shares initial findings from interviews and surveys carried out this year, with further data collection ongoing into August. You can read it in full by clicking here. Phil, Professor of Education Change at BGU, explained the context of the current newly qualified teacher cohort: “Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) have arguably always had tough challenges to overcome, but the pandemic has added to these challenges, including rapid adaptations to initial teacher education content (ITE) delivery in 2019/20 and many involved in ITE and NQT support fear that the pandemic has created a ‘lost cohort’.” However, the research trio have found that whilst the year has been challenging, there are reasons to be cheerful. Emma, Senior Lecturer in Primary and Early Years ITE at BGU, explained what the participants are reporting so far: “We have been surprised by some of the data coming out of our project so far. The majority of NQTs – 77 per cent – agreed or strongly agreed that their ITE prepared them well for their NQT year, with just under 30 per cent reporting that they did not feel confident on entering their NQT year. Almost 80 per cent of NQTs agreed or strongly agreed that they were being supported well by colleagues to develop their teaching practice, and 81 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that despite Covid-19 they were continuing to develop their skills as a teacher.” The project involves national survey results as well as in depth interviews with NQTs, which Aimee, Head of Programmes for Primary and Early Years ITE at BGU, commented on: “As researchers we have been mindful that often national research on teacher experiences involves large scale survey data and a limited range of answers. This study has provided opportunities for the NQTs themselves to explain what they have been through and what resources have supported them to succeed. We can use these findings to improve preparation for early career teachers.” NQTs have been sharing their pragmatic approaches to their first year in the profession, and whilst the year has been very challenging and some NQTs are reporting fewer uplifting experiences, participants like Alisha have commented on how relationships and networks that started in their universities and training providers have supported them: “Everyone on my PGCE course… we’ve still got our little group chat and that’s been great because when something goes completely wrong and you can just throw that in, and somebody else goes, ‘Well actually that’s gone wrong for me as well. I’m confident that we’ll all pass our NQT year. It’s just working out how we can get more support or navigate through this interesting time.” You can find more information on the wide range of innovative PGCE courses offered by BGU on our website. Alternatively you can contact our Enquiries Team or join us on one our Open Days to find out how to begin your journey into teaching. -
BGU Signs Up to Gender Equality Charter
Bishop Grosseteste University has signed up to a charter used to transform gender equality within higher education. The Athena Swan Charter, an international framework used to address gender equality and barriers to progression that affect women, was officially adopted by Bishop Grosseteste University – Lincoln this month. By being part of the Athena Swan Charter, Bishop Grosseteste University is committing to adopting ten key principles within their policies, practice and culture, which promote gender equality. Originally established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Fleming said: ‘We’ve launched the formal part of our Athena Swan journey at a time when the Charter has just been transformed. It is now more streamlined, flexible, transparent and consistent. There’s already been a lot of work to get us to this point but we still have a lot to do. The team is eager and committed; it’s an exciting time for BGU.’ The University hopes to enter an application for the Bronze Athena Swan Award in the academic year 2022-23, following a year of self-assessment. Dr Aimee Quickfall, Head of Programmes for Primary ITE, said: ‘As chair of the BGU Athena Swan self-assessment team, I am very pleased that the project is now underway with the signing of the charter. Behind the scenes, we have been delighted with the level of response from the BGU team, with representatives from Faculty, Professional Services and the student body volunteering to be part of the self-assessment core team and a consultative group. The wealth of experience and expertise offered is fantastic, and it is clear that there is a real passion and enthusiasm for the Athena Swan project.’ The project has received strong support from Bishop Grosseteste’s Human Resources team. ‘As Director of HR I am delighted we have formally started our Athena Swan journey. Behind the scenes, the group chaired by Dr Aimee Quickfall has been working extremely hard to ensure the University is in a position to start this project. As a university we are committed to making positive changes around gender equality, committing to the Athena Swann charter is a positive step forward for BGU, ensuring we adopt key principles within our practices and culture to positively promote gender equality,’ said Jonathan Cheeseman -
BGU deliver inclusive learning training in the Caribbean
Bishop Grosseteste University is supporting the Skills for Youth Employment (SkYE) programme in the Caribbean which aims to improve the occupational skills and employability for disadvantaged young people, including those challenged by disability. -
Bishop Grosseteste University launches autism exhibition
A free exhibition of artefacts that have emerged from the autism community in answer to the question ‘What is autism?’ will go on display at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). -
The Lincolnshire Home Guard brought to life
New exhibition by Dr Erik Grigg, lecturer of History at Bishop Grosseteste University, goes on display at The Museum of Lincolnshire Life -
BG Green launch recycling hub at The Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching
The The Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) has become the charity recycling hub for the University, bringing several charity collection points together into one convenient space to encourage recycling and support good causes. The collection and recycling of crisp packets are hugely beneficial for one charity, the Crisp Packet Project, which uses donated crisp packets to produce a variety of items for homeless people and their pets including survival sheets/blankets, sleeping bags, cushions/pillows, bags, and pet beds. These items are produced by firstly washing the packets and drying them, cutting the packets so that they open flat, ironing the packets onto greaseproof papers sheets so that they fuse together, and finally fusing the sheets together to make the individual items. We are also collecting plastic bottle tops to benefit Dove Cottage Hospice, empty domestic printer ink cartridges to benefit St Barnabas Hospice, and used postage stamps to benefit Bransby Horses. CELT also houses one of the campus’s two bins for used batteries. The charity recycling point is available to all staff and students. SU President Connor Short BG Green, the University’s working group on sustainability and ethical practice, was established in April 2022 and meets monthly. To find out more about BG Green, or to ask a question about sustainability and ethical practice at BGU email BGGreen@bishopg.ac.uk. -
New Waste & Recycling FAQs published
BG Green is pleased to announce the publication of new Waste & Recycling FAQs on the University’s sustainability webpages. Amongst other things, the FAQs describe what types of waste can be disposed of where, and what happens to university waste & recycling when it leaves campus, in a bid to help staff, students, and the wider BGU community with their recycling on campus. BG Green, the University’s working group on sustainability and ethical practice, was established in April 2022 and meets monthly. Its purpose is to seek to reduce the University’s carbon footprint by developing and delivering projects and initiatives for environmental sustainability and ethical practice. Recent work by BG Green has included the establishment of a ‘Swap Shop’ where members of the university community can exchange items like clothing, footwear, and useful household items; knitting classes, with free knitting supplies, to show people how to make scarves and hand warmers; and the publication of a new Sustainable Food Policy. To find out more about BG Green, or to ask a question about sustainability and ethical practice at BGU email BGGreen@bishopg.ac.uk. -
Local schools attend BGU charity sports day
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently hosted the first free BGU Sports Day Project in June. Welcoming more than 250 children from a local school to the university's sports grounds, the event offered a day filled with excitement and sporting activities. Around 250 Year 5 and 6 students from Westgate Primary Academy were welcomed onto BGU's campus. The session provided a free and exciting opportunity for local children to get active, enjoy sports, and take part in some healthy competition. The event featured a variety of sports activities including javelin, long jump, hurdles, and relay races. The volunteers who contributed to the BGU Sports Day Project included Initial Teacher Education (ITE) trainees, staff volunteers, ITE academics, and representatives BG Futures and the sports centre. By opening its doors to children from neighbouring schools, BGU demonstrated its commitment to promoting physical well-being and active lifestyles among the younger generation. The BGU Sports Day Project was created by Samuel Willis-Dixon, a Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship student at BGU. Sam said: "Having worked as a primary teacher previously, I recognised the limited space available in city schools, particularly for physical education. "As part of my apprenticeship, I had to co-ordinate a work-based project. Creating the BGU Sports Day was not only a chance to be part of an exciting new initiative, but it was also an opportunity to give back to the community and showcase our excellent sport facilities. "It's taken the collaborative efforts of lots of individuals, teams, and departments to make this happen, but seeing how much fun the children had makes it all worth it!" Samuel Willis-Dixon at the Sports Day event -
Teacher Education celebrates Good rating
Following a rigorous full inspection in April 2024, the entire range of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provision at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) was judged to be ‘Good’ by Ofsted. The University, which boasts over 160 years of heritage in teacher education was visited by 11 Ofsted Inspectors, who scrutinised the wide range of programmes designed to develop primary, secondary and further education teachers to be successful in their future careers. Inspectors commended the ambitious training curricula, noting the clear intent to develop high quality, insightful teachers who work to address social inequality and ‘change pupil’s lives’. Dr Matt Dunn, Head of Initial Teacher Education Programmes at BGU, said: ‘We are delighted with the outcome of this inspection, which mirrors our own self-evaluation. Our highly-qualified and committed team of teacher educators are passionate about the transformational power of education. We nurture excellent teachers, challenging them to be the best that they can be, empowering them to play their part in transforming the communities within which they work. ‘We are especially pleased that inspectors recognised our supportive and caring ethos as a particular strength, noting that trainees consistently reported a ‘family feel’ to their experience in their meetings with inspectors. We are committed to ensuring that our future teachers know how to maintain good mental health and wellbeing, both for themselves and the pupils they teach.’ BGU works with over 740 partner schools and colleges across the region to deliver high quality ITT, and inspectors recognised their vital input, supporting the university in constructing and delivering ambitious and relevant training programmes which meet the needs of employers and communities. With 550 trainee teachers in 2023/24 academic year, BGU makes a significant contribution to the teacher workforce. Professor Karen Stanton, Vice Chancellor of BGU said: ‘I am delighted the University’s dedication to excellence has been affirmed by this inspection. This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of our entire community towards fostering a dynamic learning environment where students thrive, and aspirations are nurtured. I extend my thanks not only to our exceptional staff but also to our valued partners whose collaboration and support have significantly contributed to the University’s success. Together we celebrate this achievement, proud of the meaningful impact we continue to have in shaping futures and enabling individuals to succeed.’ Inspectors met with several trainee teachers and were impressed with the extent to which they felt supported and prepared to teach in their future careers. One trainee reflected on this after the inspection: ‘Bishop Grosseteste University has provided me with unique experiences, knowledge, and most importantly, the support I needed to undertake my teacher training. With the staff's accessibility, flexibility and patience, I could not ask for a better support system…BGU has modelled a fantastic level of motivation that I intend to replicate in my teaching career. With the team's brilliant understanding and confidence, I developed into the trainee teacher I am today’. Marshall, Primary Trainee. You can read the full Ofsted report here. Find out more about Routes into Teaching with BGU here. BGU staff and partners in Refectory
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