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Recent Graduate Nominated for British Education Award
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce that recent graduate Katie Downes, who graduated with first class honours in BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care, has been shortlisted as a Finalist at the esteemed British Education Awards (BEA 2024). Katie and her family have been extended a special invitation to attend the Ceremony on Friday, 9th February to be held in Manchester. The BEA is renowned for bringing together a diverse array of individuals, including young achievers, their families, educators, policymakers, and notable figures from across the UK, to celebrate outstanding educational achievements. The British Education Awards feature categories for each of the four nations, recognising achievements in various educational levels. Additionally, BEA presents special recognition awards, further highlighting outstanding contributions within the educational landscape. In recognition of her exceptional academic performance and extracurricular accomplishments within the Health and Social Care programme, Programme Leader Dr Nicki Walsh said: "We are all very proud of Katie. Recognition of hard work and dedication to health and social care is the core philosophy within our program. "Katie's achievement reflects our mantra of 'making a difference to many lives through action' in every session, placement, and assessment." Katie Downes acknowledged the support she received from BGU, particularly highlighting the encouragement from Nicki Walsh and Dissertation Supervisor Leanne Leverton. Katie also expressed her appreciation for Jamie from CELT, acknowledging the valuable academic guidance received during her studies. Katie said: "Throughout my degree, quotes I heard quite a lot were 'She Believed She Could, So She Did' and 'Never Give Up On Your Dreams.' Such words of encouragement from my family and BGU staff are what kept me going strong." As one of the three finalists selected for the UK degree category, Katie recognised the significance of the nomination among the millions of graduates across the UK. "With regards to the nomination for a British Education Award, I am in awe and disbelief. I feel so honoured to be a finalist, and I am looking forward to the awards ceremony; it is a unique opportunity for me. "I thrive on supporting other students, and people in everyday life and at work, so this has been a dream come true, and I am now excited to see what the future holds for me."BGU extends its heartfelt congratulations to Katie Downes on this remarkable achievement and wishes her the best of luck at the upcoming British Education Awards Ceremony. -
Bishop Grosseteste University Leading Scheme to Improve Access to Higher Education
Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln is attending the launch of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme in Birmingham today (Tuesday). Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Jayne Mitchell and Project Manager Naomi Prendergast are at the launch of the scheme, which aims to encourage more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to go to university. BGU is leading NCOP in Lincolnshire and is at the head of a consortium of Lincolnshire universities, colleges and schools, called LiNCHigher, which successfully bid for £2.5 million to roll out the programme across over the next four years. LiNCHigher will involve young people from across the county and deliver tried and tested approaches to raising aspirations and progression to HE as well as develop innovative ways to meet the specific challenges the county faces. These activities will build upon and provide a boost to existing outreach work taking place in schools and communities across England. A large-scale evaluation programme will measure the impact of the programme from the start, and the aim will be to build a powerful evidence base to ensure that investment is concentrated in activity that is shown to be the most effective. “We’re delighted that our bid to lead this exciting project has been successful,” said Professor Jayne Mitchell, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Bishop Grosseteste University. “We will be working together with colleges, universities and our network of schools to meet the education and skills needs in Lincolnshire. “The LiNCHigher project is designed to raise aspirations and support Lincolnshire’s young people to achieve their education goals. It will make a real difference to young people’s lives, and by investing in higher education we will help to improve the social and economic prosperity of the whole county.” In leading this programme BGU will build on its already successful track record and reputation for providing opportunities for students from under-represented groups to study and succeed in higher education. Over 84% of BGU students identify with one or more characteristic of those under-represented in HE; disabled, BME, mature, low-income background, low-participation neighbourhood and/or male. BGU students are well supported to achieve their qualifications and gain jobs. According to the latest Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, published by HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), 98.6% per cent of students who leave BGU with an undergraduate degree find work or are continuing to study six months following graduation. This places BGU as the highest ranked public university in England for student employability. The LiNCHigher project will run from 2016/17 to 2019/20. BGU’s consortium partners are the Bishop Burton College, Boston College, the College of West Anglia, Grantham College, Grimsby Institute, Lincoln College, Lincoln University Technical College, New College Stamford and University of Lincoln. -
BGU Showcases Health & Social Care Innovation to Health Education England
Last week representatives from Bishop Grosseteste University’s (BGU) Health & Social Care Team had the opportunity to showcase their innovative work to Sir Keith Pearson and Ian Cummings; Chair and Chief Exec of Health Education England as part of an event with United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. Held at Lincoln County Hospital, the purpose of the event was to discuss health and social care developments in the county. Key organisations and providers from across Lincolnshire were invited to demonstrate workforce transformation and partnership working across the county whilst Education Partners, including BGU, had the opportunity to showcase new course developments for the health and social care sector. BGU has been working hard to forge innovative new paths within Health & Social Care education, from new trailblazing courses to exciting studies, making this event an excellent opportunity to bring all those efforts to the public eye, as Dr Graham Basten, Head of School of Social Sciences at BGU, explains: "Having the opportunity to outline the journey that BGU has been on to grow our Health & Social Care provision was fantastic. Being able to showcase the incredible work in diabetes done by Nicki Walsh (PL for HSC), cancer care work done by Gianina Postăvaru and blood interpretation in clinical practice by myself was a real privilege. “We outlined our BA and MA in Health & Social Care and the foundation degrees available at Grantham and New College Stamford, along with our two new MSc programmes in Primary Care (info.bishopg.ac.uk/msc-primary-community-care) and Mental Health in Learning & Teaching (info.bishopg.ac.uk/msc-in-wellbeing-in-learning-and-teaching). We also discussed our role with LORIC and the new Centre for Rural Health and Care (roseregeneration.co.uk/national-centre-for-rural-health-and-care) based in Lincoln in partnership with UHLT. “The positive feedback from all the guests suggested that BGU is certainly providing a significant role in improving the complex health and social care outcomes in Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands" You can find more information about our suite of Health & Social Care courses on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team. -
BGU Students Help Local School Pupils to Prepare for Higher Education
Education Studies students at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) have been working alongside PhD students from the University of Lincoln to help prepare local school pupils for Higher Education and build their research skills. The ‘Research Higher’ Project, coordinated by the cross-county LiNCHigher programme, is designed to develop research skills in Year 12 pupils and provide them with additional experience that will benefit them if they choose to go onto Higher Education. Over the course of the workshops held throughout the school term the pupils have been carrying out research into perspectives on Higher Education with BGU students supporting their learning as research mentors. Dr Helen Hendry, Programme Leader for Education Studies at BGU, discussed why the Education team were keen to be part of the project: “It has been really exciting to work on this first time project that has provided both our students and local school pupils with some fantastic opportunities. "The year 12 pupils, who were an absolutely fantastic and engaging group, gain a research qualification for completing the project along with a window into what life at university could be like. Our students meanwhile have been able to gain unique hands on experience and build up transferable skills as educational mentors that they will be able to use to support learners of all ages” If your child is interested in getting involved in the Research Higher project, email LHERI@lincoln.ac.uk or call 01522 88 2000. More information can also be found on the Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute website. The Education courses at BGU boast fantastic connections with a wide range of educational establishments across Lincolnshire meaning they’re able to offer amazing opportunities for hands on experience and placements. For more information visit our website, contact our Enquiries Team or sign up to one of our Open Days to see what BGU can offer you. -
MA student’s work on Special Educational Needs published in TES
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) MA in Education student Louise Connolly has been published in teachers' newspaper the TES with an article based on her work as a teaching professional. -
Sensory Bus Visit Helps Students Break Down Barriers in Education
Students at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) enjoyed a visit from the LINKAGE Sensory Bus as they explored innovative and unique ways to remove the barriers children with special needs can face in education. The LINKAGE Sensory Bus is a specially designed learning space filled with range of unique sensory experiences to aid children with special needs including an illuminated jungle space and a music wall. All of its activities are adaptable to the needs of specific children and can help support pupils in a wide variety of areas including expanding vocabulary and behaviour management. Niz Smith, LINKAGE Project Coordinator, described the potential benefits of the bus to both pupils and teachers: “Our goal is to provide children with special educational needs with an environment in which they have choice and control. Through their explorations they are able share and interact with their peers in ways they would not normally be able to, allowing them to become happier and calmer. The bus is also a great resource for teachers, particularly in rural schools who wouldn’t normally be able to access resources, they can find new avenues to help their pupils interact before taking them back to their classrooms.” Isobel, Riaz and Hadikah, all currently in their second year of BA Primary Education with QTS, were three of the students to spend time on the bus and they praised its potential as a training tool for teachers: “It was great to gain more insight into how we can support children with special needs. Once you’re immersed in the bus the theoretical strategies we’ve been learning in lectures come to life and really begin to make sense. It was a brilliant practical experience” If you would like to arrange a visit by the LINKAGE bus team to your school you can email Niz at niz.smith@linkage.org.uk. The visit to BGU was organised by lecturers as part of a module focused on learning how to support pupils with special educational needs. 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. -
BGU Lecturer Part of the Evolution of Higher Education in Zimbabwe
Earlier this year Dr Hadiza Kere Abdulrahman, Lecturer of Inclusive Education at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), was invited to take part in an international workshop focused on devising a comprehensive framework for the internationalisation of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. Dr Abdulrahman’s involvement in the initiative came as a result of her work with colleagues at the University of Nottingham and The Zimbabwean Council of Higher Education – ZIMCHE. Their collaborative work explored the "The State of Internationalisation of Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa" requiring an understanding of events and procedures across six different countries and attempting to cast a critical decolonial light on the whole process. This new workshop took the group’s findings and utilised them from a Zimbabwean perspective and its recommendations are now in the process of being adopted as the national policy on internationalisation of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. Speaking on her return to BGU Dr Abdulrahman discussed her motivations for taking part in the initiative: “My involvement in this workshop builds on my wider work of always problematising the things we have come to take for granted, be they the notion of Education or Internationalisation or any other such issue. How can African settings in particular address these issues with an adequate understanding of our particular historical specificities and peculiarities? My aim is to always attempt to view the issues through various lenses and theoretical constructs with Decoloniality being one. This paper was jointly undertaken with Professors Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni and Juliet Thondhlana and Dr Evelyn Garwe who were also present at the workshop in different capacities.” Our academics are regularly invited to present at conferences and support learning initiatives around the world, you can follow all their travels on our news page and find out how you can start your own adventures on our course pages. -
Sports students host nearly 300 local children for rugby megafest
Over 290 primary school children from 18 different schools across Lincolnshire took part in the annual Tag Rugby Megafest at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). This event, now in its seventh year, sees Sport undergraduates provide children with a fun-filled day of learning and playing rugby. The festival is an opportunity for first and second-year BGU students studying sport to put theory into practice. During the morning, the children were taught basic rugby skills such as teamwork, social skills, catching and throwing, and the rules of the game. In the afternoon, the children had a chance to join with other schools and put their newly acquired rugby skills into practice during a game. The match was led by BGU students and the children were awarded stickers for different skills they achieved during the day. The festival provided a platform for the students to develop their teaching skills and offered an opportunity to support each other and learn from one another. Hollie Tawn, who is in her first year of studying Psychology and Sport said: "We really benefitted from having the support of the second-years who have done this before and were able to guide us during the day. It was really nice to have the opportunity to work with the children and express myself through sport activity." Second-year Sport, Coaching & Physical Education student Jon Smith said it was quite eye-opening to return to the event a year later. He said: "It's a fun-filled day for the children, but it's also a really interesting experience for us as undergraduates. It was clear how much I've developed since this time last year and it just shows that all the practice and hard work pays off!" What makes this year's festival unique is the return of three BGU alumni (below) who previously studied Sport and Education at the university and now work as teachers in three of the participating schools. Their return to campus serves as a reminder to current students of the exciting career opportunities that could be in store for them in the field of sports education. (L-R) BGU alumni Joe Albans from Saxilby CofE Primary School, Danny Finn from St Giles Academy, and Luke Forbes from Waddington All Saints Academy all returned to campus in their roles as teachers BGU Sport Programme Leader Rafe Elliott said: "Our annual Tag Rugby Megafest provides an excellent opportunity for our students to develop their teaching and coaching skills and put theory into practice. It's also a great chance for the visiting children to learn new skills, have fun, and be active. "For our first and second-year students, the festival represents a chance to put their academic knowledge into practical use and benefit from peer learning. For the participating children, the festival offers a fun-filled day of skill-building, social development and encouragement to get moving!" After seven successful years, the event has become a highly anticipated fixture on the academic calendar for the participating children and BGU students alike, offering a unique opportunity to develop essential skills and knowledge in a fun, supportive environment. Schools in attendance: Leslie Manser Primary SchoolFosse Way AcademySt Giles AcademySaint Lawrence CofE Primary SchoolWaddington All Saints AcademyBirchwood Junior School North Scarle Primary SchoolGainsborough Parish Church Primary SchoolBenjamin Adlard Primary SchoolWestgate AcademyErmine AcademyIngham Primary SchoolPotterhanworth CofE Primary SchoolSaxilby CofE Primary SchoolSt Peter's CofE Primary AcademyScotter Primary SchoolCharles Baines Community Primary SchoolFrances Olive Anderson CofE Primary School -
AI in education addressed at BGU's annual Learning and Teaching Conference
The recently concluded annual Learning & Teaching Conference at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) brought together educators, researchers, and academics to delve into the future of learning, teaching, and assessments. Titled "B3, AI and Educational Gains", the two-day conference held on campus offered a variety of discussion points, including the evolving role of technology in education. During day one of the conference, talks included an exploration into the world of the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England, as well as initiatives being undertaken at BGU. Attendees enjoyed a video lecture by Professor David Smith from Sheffield Hallam University titled "How AI has answered the UnGoogleable question and what happens next." Professor Smith discussed the ways in which artificial intelligence has overcome the limitations of traditional search engines, leading to new possibilities for knowledge acquisition and exploration. Another keynote speaker, Dr Phil Anthony from University of Kent, highlighted the importance of adapting to the rapid advancements in technology while maintaining academic integrity, and explored how AI is transforming the educational landscape. The discussions revolved around leveraging AI-powered systems to detect plagiarism and promote originality in student work. Participants also received an update on the progress of Blackboard Ultra's roll-out, BGU'S new advanced learning management system that aims to streamline educational processes, facilitate student engagement, and enhance the teaching and learning experience for BGU staff and students. The event concluded with talks around educational gain and retention strategies. Speakers shared insights on effective teaching methods and innovative approaches to fostering student success. -
Primary Education staff and students host Maths sessions for local children
Our Primary Education staff and students hosted two sessions at the Ermine Library.
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