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Aspiring teachers get creative
A cohort of future teachers recently had the opportunity to flex their creative muscles during a full-day workshop exploring creativity in education. The events of the day aimed to empower the soon-to-be educators with tools and techniques to integrate creativity into their teaching practices, enabling them to create a dynamic and stimulating learning environment for their students. The Primary Education students enjoyed workshops, group tasks, and open discussion about the subject. Guest speakers also shared their expertise on the module subject, which is all about the curriculum choices a school may make. Across the day, three speakers worked with the group, including actor, writer, and teacher Ben Keaton from Creativity Academy, an organisation that visits schools and delivers workshops 'to give primary school teachers and their students the joy of making things.' BGU Senior Lecturer Emma Rogers said: "I'm really grateful that Ben Keaton was able to join us for the morning to share the work on creativity that his Creative academy is doing in schools around Lincolnshire." The students also heard from Liam Bielby, an Assistant Mathematics Hub Lead from the East Midlands East Maths Hub. Liam shared with the students the work of the maths hub and how they work with schools in the local area and the support available for early career teachers Kateřina Dvořáková also visited the university from Czechia. As the Senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia, Kateřina specialises in pre-service training of primary English teachers. She said: "My stay at BGU was absolutely fantastic. I I could observe a number of lessons and the teaching practice of the TESOL students. "There have been several students from our university at BGU recently and more study visits are being planned. A semester at BGU can help our students improve their English and teaching skills and learn about Britain's culture and daily life." Kateřina gave BGU students a fascinating insight into teacher training in Czechia. Students heard that, in her country, it takes five years to train to become a Primary school teacher so all teachers have a Master's qualification. Emma Rogers added: "It was an insightful and productive day for students and staff alike. "Everyone really enjoyed hearing from all three speakers, who offered the students a diverse selection of different voices and experiences." -
PGCE student to represent GB at University Winter Games
Adam Long, School Direct (Primary) PGCE student at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), will represent Great Britain as a member of the Ice Hockey team during the upcoming World University Winter Games. -
Shortage of RE Teachers Becoming Acute, Says BGU Expert
Easter is approaching but children's religious education is being damaged by an acute shortage of qualified RE teachers, according to a leading figure in Lincolnshire education. An increasing numbers of British children do not recognise stories such as the Nativity, the Crucifixion and Adam and Eve as coming from the Bible. Nigel Appleton, Dean of Teacher Development at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, says RE is an important subject which is being neglected because of a lack of teachers training in the subject. More than half of RE lessons in Lincolnshire's secondary schools are taught by non-specialists while over half of primary teachers don't feel confident teaching RE. "RE is a subject which is central to the school curriculum but it sometimes doesn't get the attention it deserves," he said. "Bishop Grosseteste University has been granted some additional PGCE secondary RE training places for 2014-15 in recognition of our track record of supporting RE in schools, and a few of these additional places are still available." "We also ensure our primary trainees are prepared to teach RE and have an opportunity to train to lead the subject in their primary schools. Recruitment is also still open for the primary PGCE." The growing crisis in RE teaching has coincided with new research which shows that UK children are unfamiliar with stories from the Bible. A survey for the Bible Society published in February found almost three in 10 young people were unaware that the story of the birth of Jesus came from the Bible. A similar number of children had never read or heard about tales of the Crucifixion or Adam and Eve. The report was based on a poll of 800 children aged eight to 15. Gillian Georgiou, Diocesan RE Adviser at the Diocese of Lincoln, said the problem is becoming acute for all schools. "It's certainly difficult for schools to find specialists with an RE degree," she said. "More than half of RE teaching in the UK is done by teachers who are not RE specialists, so we can assume that the situation in Lincolnshire is similar." "A quarter of primary teachers receive no training in RE at all and almost half receive less than three hours in their entire training programme. Most of the primary teachers I talk to are not confident about teaching the subject." A recent report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education, entitled RE: The Truth Unmasked, found: in over half of the 300 participating primary schools some or all pupils were taught RE by someone other than their class teacher in a quarter of these schools RE was taught by teaching assistants - a finding the report found "unacceptable" about half of primary teachers and trainee teachers lack confidence in teaching RE there is a wide variation in the extent of initial teacher training in RE and too many trainee teachers have little effective preparation for teaching the subject over half of RE teachers in secondary schools have no qualification or appropriate expertise in the subject - a finding which the report again found "unacceptable" Gillian Georgiou added that RE should be more highly valued by people thinking of training for a teaching career. "It's a subject that touches on the majority of different areas of human experience. It's highly valued by parents, universities and head teachers and it's essential in helping children to engage with the community locally, nationally and globally," she said. To find out more about primary and secondary PGCE RE training at Bishop Grosseteste University call 01522 527347 or visit our PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary pages. -
New Head of Teacher Development Takes Up Post at BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln has appointed Dr Nick Gee from the University of East Anglia to lead its School of Teacher Development. The university has now made three appointments to take charge of its new Schools of Teacher Development, Humanities and Social Sciences. Under the new academic structure Dr Graham Basten is Head of the School of Social Sciences while Dr Andrew Jackson is Head of the School of Humanities. BGU has been a pioneer and a leader in teacher education since its creation in 1862 and Dr Gee says he is looking forward to building on its strong reputation in the field of teacher training. "Speaking as someone who’s been involved with teacher education for over 11 years, BGU has a great reputation and heritage and I’m delighted to be joining an institution that has such strong traditions,” he said. “I’m excited about the fact that as an institution we’re at the start of a process of change; our new Five-Year Strategy was launched recently and I’m pleased to be arriving at a time when there’s an ambition to move forward and develop both the international and the research agendas.” Dr Gee joins BGU from the University of East Anglia, where he held the positions of Associate Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA (Hons) in Geography and holds a PGCE and EdD from the University of East Anglia. His primary research interest is outdoor education, and he is also a higher education representative in national consultations on assessment reform. “I am really looking forward to working with with partnership colleagues and strengthening our links throughout the region,” he said. The university’s Five-Year Strategy was announced in October 2014. -
Chance to Train as an Early Years Teacher
Teachers who want to become outstanding specialists working with the youngest children can now undertake professional training at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. In September last year, 13 trainees were the first to begin the new PGCE Early Years with EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status) programme at BGU – and the university will recruit another cohort this autumn. The course has been tailored to suit both those working in early years settings who can be released for study and those who are studying full time. It enables trainees to gain the recommendation for Early Years Teacher Status which is equivalent to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) through 120 days teaching young children from nought to five and 10 days looking at the progression children make into Key Stage 1. “The new Early Years Teacher Status introduced by the Government is an important development because there is clear evidence that high-quality early education and childcare can have a powerful impact on young children and can fully prepare them for school and later life,” said Amy Stancer, Academic Co-ordinator for the Early Years Programme at BGU. “The new programme is a good fit with our other courses which include QTS (working with ages three to 19 years) and teaching in the lifelong learning sector. Early Years Teacher Status broadens the scope of our training so that we’re now teaching people to teach all age ranges, from babies to pensioners.” Places are still available on the EYTS programme for this September – and two students currently on the course can thoroughly recommend it. Ryan Gilbert (30) from Halifax graduated with a degree in primary education from Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University) and was working as a supply teacher in West Yorkshire when he decided to enrol on the EYTS programme at BGU. “During my time with the supply agency and in settings when I was studying for my degree I found a fondness for early years more than Key Stages 1 and 2,” said Ryan. “Add to that the comments I had from schools about how positive it is to have a male teaching in early years, and I firmly decided that I wanted to become qualified to teach within the age range. When I wanted to progress more into early years Bishop Grosseteste University was the only university which responded promptly and guided me through its application process. I have enjoyed the course immensely, from the dedicated team of lecturers at BGU to outside professionals who have come to speak to us and the passionate members of my course who really do want the very best for young children. Being surrounded by all these makes me want to continually improve my own skills, passion and knowledge relating to early years.” Ryan continued: “I have learned far more than I realised I would, and I’m still only halfway through the course! I am truly shocked at just how little I knew about early years and how the course content from my degree did not even begin to scratch the surface of what I now know.” Jenna Farrow (22) from near Sleaford volunteered at a nursery between lectures and coursework while studying for a degree in Visual Communication at Birmingham City University as she had always taken a keen interest in how young children learn. “After I’d worked there for a year the manager signposted me towards a new postgraduate opportunity that specialised in the early years,” said Jenna. The course so far has been an enormous learning curve, enabling me to build on all areas of my professional development. The opportunity to work with all ages from birth to seven in a range of placements has given me a clear insight into how the process of the early years practice supports foundations in school. “I would highly recommend this course to others interested in working with young children as it has broadened my knowledge and understanding of the wider social context around early years practice and how early learning must be understood and fostered as a vital component to support our next generations.” To find out more about the PGCE Early Years with EYTS programme at BGU contact Amy Stancer on 01522 527347 or email enquiries@bishopg.ac.uk. -
Mother and Daughter Celebrate Graduation Success
A mother and daughter will graduate together next week after completing their respective courses at Bishop Grosseteste University. During the ceremonies in Lincoln Cathedral, Judith Coe (46) will receive a merit for her Foundation Degree in Applied Studies (Early Childhood) and Hannah Coe (23) will collect her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Two years ago Judith, a qualified nursery nurse, was running a series of childcare groups in Spilsby, East Lincolnshire, when she decided she wanted to invest in her career and develop her professional skills. She has been studying for her foundation degree while continuing with her full-time job and raising a family. The course is a work-related programme that enables practitioners (or experienced volunteers) to study alongside their work and family responsibilities. Students choose from three pathways: Learning Support, Early Childhood or Children & Youth Work, according to their work role. “For two years I have managed to juggle family commitments, my job and my course,” said Judith. “And now coming out the other side with my foundation degree, I feel much more confident in myself and am looking forward to developing my career further.” Meanwhile Hannah, who has a passion for sport, is about to begin her first year as a qualified teacher following the completion of her PGCE in Primary Education. “I’m planning on spending my next year working as a supply teacher,” said Hannah. “I believe this route will help me put what I have learnt into practice and give me an opportunity to gain experience in a variety of settings. “I am so proud of Mum and all that she has achieved. How many people can say that they’re graduating at the same time as one of their parents?” -
Health Problems Can’t Stop Emily Achieving Her Degree
A trainee teacher who overcame a string of health problems during her studies will graduate with a degree from Bishop Grosseteste University at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday. Emily Marrows (21) from Louth in Lincolnshire began her course on crutches three years ago and was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after her first year. She then had surgery on her knee and had to cope with her grandmother being diagnosed with cancer, but she was determined to achieve her dream of qualifying as a teacher. After graduation she will return to BGU to take her postgraduate PGCE teaching qualification to enable her to teach primary school children aged from three to seven. “I had a really tough first year,” Emily explained. “I’d had my legs realigned two years earlier and I started BGU on crutches after having metalwork removed from my legs. As a result I couldn’t go out and party like my flatmates and I felt a little lonely. “Halfway through the year I had to move out of my flat into a new one and make new friends all over again. But it made me a stronger and more confident person; I joined and started new clubs and began volunteering with children in care. I had a challenging year, but it taught me a lot!” In the summer following her first year, however, Emily was hit by a double blow: she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and told that she needed more surgery on her knee. “My second year didn’t start off the best: I had surgery at Christmas and struggled with my work, but despite all the setbacks I managed to keep going and stay strong. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from fulfilling my dream of being a teacher!” The following summer Emily’s grandmother was diagnosed with brain cancer, but Emily was determined to see her degree course through. “Nothing was going to stop me getting my degree,” she said. “In my third year I got my head down and worked incredibly hard. I was faced with brick walls along the way, but I still didn’t give up! I’ve now got a place at BGU to study for my PGCE which has made my dreams come true! “My university experience has not been the easiest, but I am incredibly proud of where I am today and the things I have achieved along the way. I have done things I never expected to do and it has made me a more independent, confident and understanding person.” -
BGU lecturers pen new book for trainee primary teachers
A book written by teacher development lecturers at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln was officially launched today. 'Building Skills for Effective Primary Teaching' by BGU’s Rachael Paige, Sue Lambert and Rebecca Geeson is a new book for trainee teachers and their mentors. The book includes discussion around different aspects of primary teaching and aims to also support the mentoring and coaching conversations that happen throughout initial training. The three editors lead the successful primary initial teacher education programmes at BGU. They have drawn upon contributions from colleagues teaching on the primary programmes in specialist areas to create the book. As part of the launch of this book, new trainee teachers on the PGCE course were provided with a copy of the book during an induction lecture. Find out about training to teach at BGU by clicking here. Building Skills for Effective Primary Teaching is available to buy on Amazon now. -
Tree-mendous Event Will Plant Seeds of Knowledge for Future
Two trees will be planted at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln and school children will learn about the importance of trees and forests at an event marking the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest. On the same day The Woodland Trust, a national charity based in Grantham, will launch its new Charter for Trees, Woods and People at Lincoln Castle – home to one of the two remaining 1217 Charters of the Forest. BGU has invited school pupils onto its campus in Lincoln on Monday 6th November as part of a major campaign, sponsored by the Woodland Trust, to work on Britain’s environment for future generations. The schools involved are Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Horncastle, Ravensthorpe Primary School in Peterborough, Morton Trentside Primary School near Gainsborough and Brockley Primary School near Chesterfield. They will take part in educational activities relating to the Charter of the Forest and the Charter for Trees, Woods and People. The primary school pupils will make lanterns with handles made of sustainable, locally coppiced hazel, and they will be invited to attend a lantern parade being held as part of the TreeCharter launch that evening at Lincoln Castle. They will also be invited to think about why woods and trees are important to them and to add their thoughts to the lanterns. PGCE secondary Art and Design students will work with the primary school pupils on art activities using natural forms, with a special emphasis on materials derived from trees to create artworks that can be displayed in natural environments. The grammar school students will learn more about the 1217 Charter of the Forest and how it became part of the ‘Ancient Constitution’ of the kingdom, a notion of vital importance for the political and constitutional history of the British Isles, and eventually its American colonies. The event, from 10.45am until 2.30pm on Monday 6th November, will end with the ceremonial planting of a hornbeam tree and a wild cherry tree on campus at BGU. Robert von Friedeburg, a Reader in History at BGU who is organising the event, said: “England has lost a lot of historic woodland over the centuries and the Government’s reforestation plans are behind schedule, so civil society needs to jump in and engage for the good of us all. “This Woodland Trust campaign is almost too good to be true, and we’re pleased to be taking part in it. At BGU we teach good people to become good teachers, and good teachers are essential to teaching our children well. “For the younger pupils the event will help them to understand that nature is important, that we can do stuff with nature, but that we need to preserve it for future generations. The world does not only consist of electronically made illusions on smartphones!” The Charter of the Forest was sealed by King Henry III in 1217 and re-established for free men rights of access to the royal forest that had been eroded by William the Conqueror and his heirs. It was in many ways a companion document to the Magna Carta signed by King John two years earlier. More than 70 organisations and 300 local community groups have helped The Woodland Trust to collect over 60,000 tree stories from across the UK, demonstrating the important role that trees play in their lives. These stories helped to define the 10 Principles of the Tree Charter, ensuring that it stands for every tree and every person in the UK. Find out more about History at BGU. -
Darcey Bussell brings DDMIX programme for schools to BGU
Ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell visited Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln today to speak to trainee teachers about DDMIX for Schools. Darcey and her DDMIX team worked with over a hundred trainee teachers from Primary and Secondary programmes from the School of Teacher Development at BGU. DDMIX is a full-body aerobic workout for children created by Darcey Bussell and based on 26 different dance genres, from Arabic and Japanese to the Charleston and the Flamenco. The day opened with a special lecture for all year groups where Darcey introduced the programme. Students then split off into smaller groups to participate in sessions with the DDMIX team. Speaking about DDMIX Darcey said, “Movement to music makes children come alive and changes the way they feel. With the DDMIX programme, children get an exciting and diverse learning experience that is physical, aerobic and high time on task. These benefits should be enjoyed by every child. “Dance fitness can stimulate the child’s interest in sport, in the arts and give them the confidence to explore their own creativity in other fields." An Amazing Experience DDMIX came to BGU through the work of Helen Thornalley, Subject Leader for PE and Dance for the PGCE Secondary course at BGU, who arrived at the University in January. Helen has worked with Darcey and DDMIX for the past three years on training teachers and reflecting on how this work is implemented within schools. Feedback from the trainee teachers is vital for DDMIX to find out what works for children in schools. Helen said: "The opportunity for trainee teachers to work with these professionals who are at the top of their game, and the sharing of their materials with prospective teachers for schools is amazing. “(It was) unique, rich and cathartic for all involved, a very exciting project that I have seen teachers embrace and make it their own." Members of the DDMIX team introduced BGU students to a range of different dances and activities that can be utilised when students go into schools on placements. Jessica Castro, first year BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS student, was full of praise: “The session was really good. I thought it was great how they split everything up into sections, which will help us with how to teach the children. “They haven’t just thrown us into the deep end, they’ve shown us how to work with the children and taught us the dances as well so I thought that was really clever. “I’d love to use (DDMIX) in schools. When we go into placements and we have to use PE I’d definitely use something like this rather than what you’d expect PE to be.” Find out more about Training to Teach at BGU.
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