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Professor Chris Atkin
Programme Leader MA in EducationProfessor Chris Atkin’s education qualifications include Certificate in Education (Further Education), Bachelor of Education (Hons.), Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Chris’ main research expertise lies in the policy and practice of post-school education and training; with a particular focus on rural communities. He has completed a range of research projects funded by the UK funding councils (ESRC, EPSRC, NERC), the Higher Education Academy (HEA), the British Academy, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy (NRDC), Local Authorities and the Learning and Skills Council. His research has included both national and international comparative studies including ‘practitioner based’ enquiry with a range of educational stakeholders. He currently teaches on master's and doctoral programmes. Chris has held academic posts at De Montfort University (1994-99), the University of Nottingham (1999-2010) and Liverpool Hope University (2010-12). Chris joined Bishop Grosseteste University in September 2012. -
BGU Vice-Chancellor Elected Chair of Two National Higher Education Groups
The Vice-Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, has been elected chair of two national groups. The first of these groups is the Cathedrals Group of Universities which consists of 14 institutions in England and 1 in Wales, all of which are church foundation universities. The second group is the Teacher Education Advisory Group (TEAG) which is a sub-group of both Universities UK and GuildHE, the two main mission groups of universities. All universities which offer teacher education courses are members of this group. Speaking following the dual announcement Professor Neil commented: "It is a huge honour to be asked to lead both of these organisations as they are integral to the heritage and work of BGU. It is important for BGU to be active in national organisations as it both raises our profile and gives us access to expertise from across the sector." In addition to these new roles Professor Neil continues to hold the position of Convenor of the Europe Chapter of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC) and serves as an international Trustee. -
BGU Graduate shares her Psychology dissertation with Alopecia UK.
Bethany Hills, a 2020 Education Studies & Psychology graduate from Bishop Grosseteste University, has written an article for Alopecia UK discussing her research project which explored the impact of support charities on parents of children with alopecia. You can read a short excerpt below and can read the full article on Alopecia UKWhy did you decide to do this research? The semester before I started my Psychology dissertation, we had to do a pilot study in health psychology. During this module, I realised I could have done mine on Alopecia but was too late to change my idea. When it came round to thinking of ideas for my dissertation, I wanted something that I was interested in as well as something that had a personal connection. I started writing ideas down and the two that stood out to me was mental health and Alopecia, so I decided to combine the two topics. I also have someone very close to me who has Alopecia and have seen the amazing work Alopecia UK have done so wanted to incorporate them into my project too. You can read the full article by clicking here -
Exploring Relationships, Sex and Health Education in the Early Years
Level 6 students on the Early Childhood Studies course at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) got to explore Relationship, Health and Sex Education in the Early years thanks to a guest lecture by Catherine Kirk of the RSHE Service. Organised as part of their 'Issues in Early Years’ module, the interactive session encouraged the students to discuss their memories of RHSE training from school before exploring this topic in relation to the early years. Catherine Kirk is an industry expert with over 20 years’ experience in RSE including leading development in two local authorities. She is also the founder of #RSEday, and current part-time RSE consultant for Nottingham City Council. Samantha Hoyes, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at BGU, helped set up the event and discussed the importance of students getting to interact with industry leaders: “The ‘Issues in Early Years’ module is all about broadening our student's knowledge of the early years and some of the current issues and themes in the sector. Catherine has over 20 years experience in RSHE and is currently involved in a range of projects around this topic, making her an ideal candidate for the students to learn from. Catherine’s session was really positively received by the students who enjoyed how interactive it was. In fact several of them have also continued to research the area further and are now covering this as their issue in early years. External speakers both enhance our modules and allow students to consider their own future career opportunities. Already this year we have welcomed a very experienced reception teacher in to talk about assessment in the early years and the upcoming changes, as well as a local Health visitor to enhance our health and wellbeing module and we look forward to offering more talks as the year progresses” 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. -
BGU Academics Present at the International Nurse Education Today (NET) Conference
Two academics from the Health and Social Care team at BGU presented at the international Nurse Education Today (NET) Conference which is an annual event run by the Advance UK (formally the Higher Education Academy). NET provides a unique opportunity for delegates to engage with the latest worldwide research evidence, developments and thinking with educators, practitioners, and students. Papers are arranged in themed sessions where delegates participate in in-depth discussion and debate on a topic, facilitated by skilled convenors. Nicki Walsh (Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer) and Leanne McHugh (Senior Lecturer) presented on different themes. Nicki presented under the theme of “Educational Enhancement” showcasing her work supporting UK, the general practice nursing workforce (previously published). Her paper reviewed current drivers within practice and higher education, to support and develop the current and future workforce. It examined several initiatives that Nicki was involved with, from the support of General Practice to provide placements for undergraduate nursing and health and social care students, to the development of educational programmes to support nurses working in practice, or who wish to have a career in General Practice, with their continued professional develop and career enhancement. Leanne presented under the theme “Student experience, engagement and achievement”. Leanne shared an overview of the carers project at BGU. The presentation took the participants through the project’s development and planning stages and considered the student and staff engagement opportunities which this project presented. Consideration was given to how to craft the narrative of the project which focused on the question “What would it feel like to be a carer at the university?” “How can we identify a shared language, so we all hear your story?”. Future strategies to enhance the Carers project were also shared with the participants seeing the future vision, which is to consider, “What an active Carers community will look like”. During the question and answer session, feedback from the participants was really positive, offering networking opportunities and possibilities of increasing the awareness of the BGU Carers Community. Related publications Book Chapter - Chapter One – Contemporary General Practice Nursing – Editors Welsh, M. and Brooks, S., Elsevier Walsh, N and Mason, R., (2018) “Hitting the Ground Running": An Evaluation of Management Placements for Student Nurses with UK General Practice. Primary Health Care. Vol. 28 No.7 pp34-41 . doi: 10.7748/phc. 2018.e1443 Walsh, N., (2017) Using community education provider networks to develop general practice nursing. Primary Health Care. Vol.27, No.4, pp26-29 -
Students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) to cycle length of Ukraine in fundraiser
A group of students and some staff members are attempting to cycle 364.4 miles (north to south of Ukraine) in 12 hours to raise money for the Ukraine Appeal run by Save the Children. The students from the three-year Primary Education course wanted to do something to support the Ukrainian children that are at risk as the conflict continues. The ‘BGU Cycle for Ukraine’ challenge will begin at 9am just inside Hardy Building on two static bikes, with students needing to cover 30 miles every hour to reach their target of 364.4 miles by 9pm. Around 15 third year students and five members of staff have agreed to take part throughout the day, and the progress will be shared on BGUs Instagram account. The bikes have been loaned from the BGU sports centre and the catering team will be providing refreshments for the 15 third year students and five members of staff that have signed up to take part throughout the day. Save the Children’s Ukrainian crisis response aims to reach 3.5m vulnerable children and their families through distributing supplies, providing assistance for basic needs such as food, rent and medicine and offering vital mental health and psychosocial support. Dave Wallace, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, said: “Like many people we’ve been watching the conflict in Ukraine unfold, and we all wanted to do something to help. Sporting activities like this are a great way to bring people together. “I want to thank everyone that has donated their money, time and legs to this cause, we started with a target of £250 and thanks to everyone’s incredible support we’ve already more than tripled that.” If you’d like to donate to ‘BGU Cycle for Ukraine’, find the link at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bgu4ukraine -
Bishop Grosseteste University and the Heritage Education Trust to host Sandford Awards 2022
The Sandford Award recognises the enormous range of learning that happens outside of the classroom, and the memorable, often life-changing experiences that the participating visitors enjoy. The Award is administered by Bishop Grosseteste University, in partnership with the Heritage Education Trust. The Trust is the only body in existence to provide independent, quality assurance for sites that offer formal learning programmes, with recognition also given to family programmes and other informal learning. The Award scheme was conceived in 1975 as a result of the European Year of Architecture. Founder members were Lord Montagu (English Heritage), Lord Sandford (representing the Department of the Environment) and Commander Michael Saunders Watson (Historic Houses Association). Their purpose was to raise the profile of the educational value of historic properties. Since the first awards were made in 1978, over 500 heritage sites and services have received a Sandford Award. Professor Scott Fleming, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Bishop Grosseteste University commented: "At Bishop Grosseteste University we are delighted to be able to continue our support for the Heritage Education Trust. Many of our programmes in the humanities, social sciences and teacher education are linked directly to this important element of the visitor economy. The Sanford Awards recognise immense hard work and sector-leading excellence. We are especially grateful to the team of colleagues who make it all possible." This year we will be joined by broadcaster, author, cultural campaigner and Chair of the Royal Parks, Loyd Grossman, CBE, who is the guest speaker at the ceremony. Among the winners are Lincoln Castle, Rosslyn Chapel, The Tower of London, Jackfield Tile Museum and Carisbrooke Castle. Michael Maddison, Chair of the Heritage Education Trust, stated: “This year’s winners of the prestigious Sandford Award have demonstrated yet again the determination of heritage sites to provide the highest quality of learning for all who visit and especially for young people. The focus on ensuring that everyone can access the treasures existing at each site helps us all to appreciate that heritage matters and that the sector serves to enrich the lives of all who visit”. Sandford Award Winners 2022 Abbey House and Kirkstall Abbey Beaulieu Blenheim Palace British Motor Museum Carisbrooke Castle, English Heritage Cromford Mills Dover Castle, English Heritage Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre Geevor Tin Mine Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Jackfield Tile Museum Jewish Museum London National Trust, Knole Leeds Castle Leeds City Museum Lincoln Castle M Shed, Bristol Murton Park Museum of London Docklands Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery The Old Royal Naval College Greenwich The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Rosslyn Chapel National Trust, Sutton Hoo Tamworth Castle The Judge's Lodging The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) The Navan Centre and Fort Historic Royal Palaces, The Tower of London Valence House Museum Verulamium Museum Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter Weald and Downland Living Museum Weston Park Winding House Museum Wroxeter Roman City, English Heritage York's Chocolate Story Congratulations to all our winners, and we can't wait to celebrate your outstanding work next week. Entries for the 2023 Sandford Awards will open on Monday 5th December. For more information or to register interest in applying please contact: Jayne Ellis Sandford Award Administrator Email: sandford@bishopg.ac.uk Website: Heritage Education Trust: Home of the Sandford Award Twitter: @sandfordaward Sandford Award (@sandfordaward) / Twitter Facebook: Sandford Award Sandford Award | Lincoln | Facebook Instagram: Sandford Award Photo Credit: Historic Royal Palaces, The Tower of London. -
PGCE Secondary
Our Secondary PGCE programme is designed to prepare you to teach your specialist subject to students aged 11-16 or 14-19. The course is structured to provide a blend of academic study and practical experience, ensuring you develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful teaching career. Led by experienced senior lecturers (who are qualified teachers with extensive teaching experience) and supported by a network of schools and colleges, our programme aims to help you meet the Teachers’ Standards and achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). ‘Trainees say that they are known ‘as a name, not a number’ and that they get the right help at the right time to become ‘fully fledged’ by the end of their course.’ - Ofsted, 2024 -
Tran inclusion - resisting the culture wars in ITE (Initial Teacher Education)
Dr Lyndsay Muir spoke about resisting the ‘culture wars’ in ITE as part of the Equalities keynote panel at the UCET conference in November 2023. This year she was asked back to talk at the 2024 conference in more detail about the work being done in collaboration with UCET colleagues on supporting Trans and Non-Binary (TNB) people who are joining the teaching profession. She outlined the heightened visibility of TNB people in the first decades of the 21st century, alongside the misrepresentations, misunderstandings and hostility that are likely to be within the lived experiences of TNB people. Many gender diverse people who wish to become teachers may be wary of the kind of media attention that someone like Lucy Meadows experienced in 2013 - a teacher who transitioned whilst in post, who wrote in an email to a friend on New Year’s Day 2013 I'd like to be able to say I've given something back. I suppose the best way for me to do this would be to educate the people around me and children at school – I am a teacher after all! After intense, intrusive and highly sensationalised media coverage, later criticised by the coroner (Pidd, 2013), she took her own life on the 19th March that same year. (See Trans teacher Lucy Meadow's death turns town against press | Transgender | The Guardian (Pidd & Murphy, 2013)). The combined effect of such sensationalised, often negative, media coverage (Gupta, 2019), with more recent draft DfE guidelines for consultation on ‘gender questioning’ pupils (Department for Education, 2024) and the publication of the Cass report on NHS Services for Young People (Cass, 2024) is the context in which the UCET Equalities sub-group has been discussing how best to support Trans and Non-binary entrants to the teaching profession. Lyndsay shared her insights into this collegiate dialogue, which is much needed and continues to evolve. -
Lucy Hughes
Lucy is a Senior Lecturer on the MA in Education and iPGCE programmes at Bishop Grosseteste University. With over a decade of experience in education, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and academic expertise to her role. Background and Experience Lucy's career in education began in the secondary school setting, where she spent 9 years as a dedicated MFL teacher and Head of Department. She progressed quickly to leadership roles in curriculum, whole school improvement and teacher development. This hands-on experience has provided her with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing educators in today's diverse classrooms. Transition to Higher Education Later in her career, she transitioned to Initial Teacher Education (ITE), where she continued to develop her passion for preparing the next generation of educators. This move allowed her to combine her practical experience with cutting-edge educational research, enriching both her teaching and research interests.
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