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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. -
BGU Graduate’s Café Project to Offer a Future to Young People in Skegness
At the start of the year the impact of the pandemic on the education of children in Skegness was featured by Sky News*. Enterprise Development Manager, Sarah Moseley, chatted with Ruth Campbell, who graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University in 2020, as she embarks on a new venture to support young people in the area. The project, Café YOU (You Opportunity Union), aims to support young people who might have missed other opportunities to grow their skills as Ruth explains: “I have a background of working with young people and have always been passionate about youth work and concerned about those who fall through the gaps and miss opportunities to grow and develop. Whilst I was at BGU I started working on an idea for a youth project which I called Youth Opportunity Union (YOU). The vision is to support NEET young people aged 16-19 to get back on track, through short courses and work experience.” After highlighting a suitable premises, the BA (Hons) Professional Studies in Childhood and Youth graduate completed a business proposal and, following a successful pitch to the board of the Charity at The Storehouse, North Parade in Skegness, Ruth took over management of a coffee shop at the end of 2020. Lockdowns and restrictions have inevitably slowed progress, but the base will enable the delivery of vocational education and work experience along with the provision of courses, qualifications and a small group environment for learning. Ruth has registered with the awarding body ASDAN, so young people who access the project are able to work towards qualifications whilst gaining work experience. Ruth’s vision, COVID-19 and restrictions permitting, is for the project to grow, for Café YOU to be fully run by young people, and to be able to welcome customers back in: “I want the community to use this space to their advantage. We can arrange a safe space for 1:1 work for professionals; tables can be booked, and we have allocated space for groups to meet. There is even a soft play area for little ones to enjoy. Currently we could be operating as a Takeaway but the Storehouse has recently become a Covid-19 vaccination Centre.” When asked what advice she has for students and graduates wanting to start their own enterprise, Ruth had this to say: “Start small! I am so passionate about what I want to do that I can get carried away and take on too much. I have learned to work realistically within my own capabilities even if it’s frustrating at times! To accept help and advice. There is usually more than one way to achieve what you need to, and it is always worth listening to people who might know more than you do. Stay true to your vision. The clearer you are about your ultimate vision, the end goal, the easier it is to stick with, and for it to make sense to other people. Believe in it yourself and your confidence will attract others to your idea. It can be hard not to get swept along with other people’s ideas for your business/project, but when your vision is clear it makes it easier not to get side-tracked “. To find out more about YOU visit their: Website Facebook page Instagram *View the full Sky Feature here If you are a BGU student or alumni running their own enterprise, or have an idea that needs shape, our Enterprise Team within BG Futures would love to hear from you. Contact sarah.moseley@bishopg.ac.uk Tel 01522 563817 -
Equality Trust CEO to Provide Keynote Talk at ‘Equality, Diversion and Inclusion’ Event
Dr Wanda Wyporska, CEO of the Equality Trust, will be the keynote speaker at one-day conference for PGCE Secondary trainees at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). Dr Wyporska’s talk forms part of a wide array of activities to mark ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ week , this year taking place over 8th-12th February, during which the trainees will be working independently to research a topic of their choice. Stimulus materials, including films and podcasts have been provided. A group of trainees will be working directly with BGU academic Dr Sheine Peart and Museumand to produce teaching resources under the theme of Black Lives Matter. Alongside this, lead social workers from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire are going to be talking to the trainee teachers to tell them what they'd like teachers to know and understand about their work. Looking ahead to the week’s events, Dr Jenny Wynn, Programme Leader for PGCE Secondary at BGU, discussed why it was such an important part of the course curriculum: “At Bishop Grossteste University our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' week has been a sector-leading part of our PGCE course for a number of years. The week aims to support trainee teachers’ professional commitment to equality in education through enhancing their knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusive teaching practices, to meet the needs of all pupils. It usually involves workshops and placements and is very much an in-person experience. Obviously, this year has to be different!” “We are making use of 'Padlet' as a platform for trainees to collate and present their projects at an on-line discussion forum on the Friday. Research, that we have recently published, has demonstrated the transformative nature of this final sharing part of the week - time to consolidate thoughts and feelings before deciding what actions are important to take forward.” To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
"By choosing BGU you are doing more than just a degree, you are setting yourself up for life" - How studying at BGU started Jake's career in sport
I came to Bishop Grosseteste with the ambition of becoming a PE Teacher. BGU helped me achieve everything, and more, than I could have ever hoped for. During my three years studying Education Studies and Sport, I was able to gain my first experiences of what it would take to become a teacher. I was able to work in a variety of settings including a secondary school PE Department along with Primary and UTC college environments. The secondary placement in particular, reaffirmed to me that I was right in wanting to be a PE Teacher and chase my dream career. I was able to work alongside the entire PE department, assisting in delivering lessons, running extra-curricular clubs and gaining experience across different Key Stages. The modules allowed me to learn about educational philosophies and different pedagogical approaches to teaching, which allowed me to form my own style of teaching. The wealth of experience the lecturers have meant you could be challenged but also challenge them on contemporary issues and have a high-level discussion about what is happening in the world of sport and education. I was able to achieve a first-class honours degree and I felt like I earnt my degree as the level of scrutiny and academic rigor made sure you get what you put into each assessment. My favourite module though was when I got to complete my dissertation. I used my dissertation as preparation for my PGCE at Loughborough University. I was able to interview many PE teachers across the country about the feasibility of a Models-Based Practice being adopted in a PE curriculum. Rafe Elliot, my sport lecturer was always there to give me advice and support throughout. To this day, my dissertation is my proudest piece of work. -
New international partnership to offer language and teaching opportunities with Thailand
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has begun a new partnership with Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (NRRU) in Thailand to provide language and teaching exchange for students. In response to the ongoing pandemic the academic team for the MA Education with TESOL course (MA EdTESOL) are using online learning and digital tools to extend and develop current provision for English language teaching practice for their students, further partnerships with international HE institutions, along with offering an opportunity for language and cultural exchange. The NRRU students are studying an English language module before being assessed on their use of spoken English for formal and special occasions. Our MA EdTESOL students will be working with the NRRU students to improve their English language presentations for their assessments with ongoing virtual meetings in which they will work on a 2-1 basis (2 NRRU students to 1 BGU student). This language support will be arranged between the students in their free time and take the 7-hour time difference into consideration. BGU students will then be assessed on a lesson they deliver to their Thai students to practice English language teaching methodology. Dr Kay Johnson, Programme Leader for MA EdTESOL at BGU, discussed the positive impact the partnership could offer: “The initiative to partner with colleagues in Thailand is indicative of our creative and proactive teaching teams' commitment to making the best of a difficult situation. Using online tools to deliver our MA students opportunities for authentic English language teaching practice is proving to be a successful and popular addition to the programme!” “This exchange and other intercultural events embedded in the MA aim to support our postgraduate students' growth as global citizens, in addition to developing their awareness of the complex role of English as a global language and the part they play in this as language education professionals. We are a keen to fulfil BGU's commitment to internationalise the curriculum, alongside strengthening our ties with high-calibre institutions at the forefront of education and teacher-training worldwide” Piyachat Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya, Director of the Language Institute at NRRU, shared Kay’s excitement at the unique learning opportunities the project could create: “It’s a great opportunity for all the students to practice their English with native English speakers who are fluent. In their lives they don’t have a lot of chances to engage with foreigners in in-depth conversations, so this is a fantastic way for them to learn despite ongoing travel restrictions. It’s very exciting to be in partnership that is utilising these online resources so effectively to benefit of both sets of students” To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Participatory Autism Research Symposium
Bishop Grosseteste University’s LORIC Autism Ideas Café and the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC) are pleased to announce details of their joint event to be held on 24th March 2021. -
Academics' Research Explores Teacher Training and Well-Being Around the World
Academics from Bishop Grosseteste University's (BGU) Well-being and Workload in Education Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit (RKEU) have published an article in the British Education Research Association's Research Intelligence magazine. Out this month the article, by Dr. Aimee Quickfall, Dr. Emma Clarke and Shaun Thompson, explores the differences and similarities in teacher trainee well-being across Finland, Denmark and the UK, drawing on their research experience of three years data collection in these countries. Speaking ahead of publication, Dr Quickfall discussed the article’s focus, along with the ongoing work of the RKEU: “Mental health and well-being are pressing issues for the education sector, and the pandemic has exacerbated this. This BGU RKEU are working to find solutions to poor teacher trainee well-being, by looking to other countries for best practice. The team are currently engaged in an Erasmus+ funded project to build teacher trainee and mentor tool kits to support well-being and manage workload.” The Spring edition of Research Intelligence is focused on contemporary issues in mental health and wellbeing in education, and has been guest edited by Professor Jonathan Glazzard and Samuel Stones from Leeds Beckett University, and can be found here: https://www.bera.ac.uk/publication/spring-2021 You can find more information on the work and projects of the Well-being and Workload RKEU by clicking here.. If you’re interested in a future in education, our BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (3 year undergraduate degree), BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with QTS (15 month top up degree), and PGCE courses are the perfect ways to begin or continue your adventure on the path to becoming a fantastic teacher! If you have any questions, our Enquiries Team are ready to help. Contact them today or visit our website to find out how to take your next steps. -
Exploring 'Digital Imposter Syndrome' and How to Support Those Struggling with it
Dr. Theresa Marriott, Digital Learning Technologist in the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at Bishop Grosseteste University, has been published in the Society for Education and Training's journal (InTuition) for her research into ‘Digital Impostor Syndrome’. The article explores how, while online learning has become a firm component of learning and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater reliance on technology has also increased the risk of teachers and students struggling with Digital Impostor Syndrome. Drawing on her research, Dr. Theresa Marriott discusses digital impostorship and explores strategies for how to support those who may be finding it challenging to use their digital skills so intensely. Speaking following publication Dr Marriott discussed what drove her research: “The research was originally my PhD research but from this developed an awareness of Impostor Syndrome specifically related to technology in my roles working in Learning and Teaching Enhancement. Post PhD research it became apparent that in my daily practice I was seeing many staff and students who felt like impostors when using technology and this has greatly amplified during COVID where learning and teaching moved online. Through this I have a greater awareness of the barriers to using and engaging with technology, and my practice has developed to support students and staff using an enabling approach to ensure that they can feel more digitally confident.” You can read the full article by clicking here. To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. Image credit: Unsplash. -
English Department provides ‘A Night in With Shakespeare’ for BGU students
The ongoing period of COVID-19 has created a number of challenges to the Higher Education experience of students and staff across the country. At Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) the English Department Team have risen to the task of finding innovative and adaptive ways for students to interact and learn socially as Dr Amy Albudri, Lecturer in English at BGU, explains: -
Don’t let Dyslexia stop you from achieving your dreams!
Victoria Dalton - BA (Hons) English Literature student - shares her advice on staying positive and focused when facing challenges
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