Search results
-
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. -
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. -
STEWDUBS Erasmus+ Project –Student Teacher Well-being
Deepening Understanding and Building Support -
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. -
Join BGU lecturer in a trans rights discussion panel to mark new BBC production
Lyndsay Muir, Senior Lecturer PGCE Secondary Drama at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), will be taking part in an online panel discussion focused on trans right hosted by the National Theatre Scotland. Taking place on Wednesday 21 April at 7pm the discussion, titled 'Adam - where are we now?', has been organised to mark the television broadcast of the stage play Adam. Inspired by the life of Adam Kashmiry, who plays himself, Adam tells the remarkable story of a young trans man and his struggle across genders and borders to be himself. Originally a National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) stage play, Adam has been reinvented as a compelling, theatrical on-screen drama as a part of the BBC Arts, culture in quarantine series/campaign. Adam will be broadcast on BBC Four on Tuesday 20th and is available on iPlayer thereafter. Adam features a virtual online trans world choir, of which Lyndsay is a member, brought together for the original award-winning stage production. They appear together on-screen singing Jocelyn Pook’s epic choral original score. Following the original broadcast, Lyndsay will be taking part in an online panel discussion with fellow member of the Adam choir, Harrison Knights and Adam Kishmiry. Taking place on Wednesday 21 April at 7pm, the discussion will be focused on trans rights and how far they have moved since Adam's journey began, and how far they still have to go. Tickets are free but must be booked through National Theatre Scotland. Speaking ahead of the broadcast, Lyndsay, who has worked as a professional actor, director and facilitator along with leading on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the secondary PGCE programme at BGU, shared her excitement at taking part: “I am really delighted to be contributing to the panel discussion 'Adam - where are we now?' alongside other Adam World Choir members Harrison Knights and Adam Kashmiry. The original NTS production of Adam won a fringe first at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 and it is great to see it recognised again with this new broadcast that will allow us to share its message with a whole new audience” Lyndsay has previously discussed the NTS production of Adam and foregrounding trans people telling their stories through hosting individual conversations on their own terms in her TEDx talk 'Tea with Trans - what's on (and off) the menu'. You can find more information on that talk by clicking here. To 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. Photo Credit: Adam Kashmiry & Yasmin Al-Khudhairi - Photography by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan -
British Education Research Association Shines a Light on BGU Project Aiming to Build Teacher Confidence in Supporting Pupils from Diverse Backgrounds
The British Educational Research Association (BERA) has published a new blog post highlighting the work of academics from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) who are leading a project to help trainee teachers gain confidence in teaching pupils from diverse backgrounds by developing teaching resources about BAME communities. The cross-departmental project, takes in work from three academics across different parts of the university; Dr Sheine Peart, programme leader for the Doctor of Education, Dr Hadiza Kere Abdulrahman, senior lecturer in inclusive education, and Dr Clare Lawrence, senior lecturer in teacher development. Speaking following the BERA coverage Dr Lawrence discussed the projects background: “This project builds on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work already being carried out in our secondary PGCE programme, which is promoted by Zoe Nye and Lyndsay Muir. This kind of collaborative work is very exciting, and I think that we have all enjoyed being involved.” To find out more about the project and to read the blog post in full click here. To 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. -
Sophie Longney
Sophie Longney joined Bishop Grosseteste University in February 2021 as a Senior Lecturer in Initial Primary Education. She had previously visited the university as a guest lecturer for many years, where she contributed to the Education Studies undergraduate programme. Prior to joining the university academic team, Sophie was the Vice Principal of a large primary school located in a deprived area of Nottinghamshire. As part of this role, she was Head of Teaching and Learning, English and Key Stage Two Lead while continuing to teach daily English lessons in Year 6. She was also the English and Year 6 Lead for a multi-academy trust. Sophie completed her Master's in Education in 2019 and focussed on improving the teaching of reading within Key Stage Two. The findings from this research had a very positive impact and significantly improved end of KS2 reading outcomes. Sophie has also been awarded Chartered Teacher Status (CTeach) and is a trained KS2 writing moderator for Nottinghamshire County Council. -
Stefanie Jacklin
Stef joined Bishop Grosseteste University in January 2021, on a part- time basis whilst still working as a primary school teacher. In April, she moved across to BGU full- time. Stef is an ex-student of Bishop Grosseteste University and has many fond memories of the University. Stef started her teaching career in Peterborough and then moved to Lincolnshire. During Stef’s many years of teaching, she has led a range of subjects including Science, English, and Humanities. Humanities, diversity, and black history are areas which really interest Stef. In her previous teaching role, Stef was School Direct and NQT Lead mentor for a multi-academy Trust in Lincolnshire. As a Senior Lecturer, Stef primarily teaches and contributes to the PGCE 5-11 programme as well as contributing to the Undergraduate and School Direct programmes. -
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.
Explore BGU
Browse our wide range of degree courses and find the perfect one for you.
Open days are the best way to find out what BGU has to offer.
Download your copy of our prospectus to find out more about life at BGU.