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Excellent student satisfaction
BGU is the second highest ranked public university in England for student satisfaction. Figures released today from the National Student Survey show that 92% of BGU students are satisfied with their university experience - that’s 7% higher than last year’s score and six percentage points higher than the sector average. Significantly seven courses reported overall satisfaction above 92%. Education Studies, Theology & Ethics achieved 100% satisfaction while three other courses – Early Childhood Studies, Primary Education with Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and Applied Studies – all recorded satisfaction levels of 97%. Dr Ruth Sayers, Executive Dean Learning, Teaching and International, welcomed today’s findings: “This is an excellent result for BGU and demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership with our students to improve their teaching and learning experience. We take what our students tell us very seriously and are always keen to hear what they have to say. We’ve introduced a number of initiatives to help give them a greater input including a new student engagement facilitator role which has been created to enhance and further develop a culture of staff and students working in partnership across the university. We’re also delighted with the overall response rate, which was 81% of eligible final year students, and would like to thank the Bishop Grosseteste Students’ Union (BGSU) for their support in encouraging people to take part.” BGSU President Kieran Parrish said he is thrilled with the outcome: “This shows that the students recognise the high quality of service they are actually getting from the university and that the relationship is one which is strong and transparent. From an SU point of view it is excellent to see how engaged and happy the students are, however, we know that there is always room for improvement. We are relishing the chance to build upon this and push ourselves to provide better for the students in the future.” The NSS statistics follow on from a succession of positive results for BGU. In April, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) published its review which found that BGU met its expectations in all areas – academic standards, learning opportunities, information and enhancement. In July, the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey revealed that BGU is one of the top three universities in the UK for student employability with 97.2% per cent of students who leave BGU with an undergraduate degree finding work or continuing to study six months following graduation. Also during the year, Ofsted gave a very positive rating for all of teacher education – early years, primary, secondary and further education – and praised BGU for having a “clear vision and an extremely strong commitment to their engagement with partners in the FE and skills sector”. The Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University, said it’s been an extremely successful year. “We’ve achieved some outstanding results this year which show that we provide outstanding facilities and support,” he explained. “It is also worth highlighting that we’ve recorded increases in all of the eight NSS question categories and attained one of the biggest rises in the country for overall student satisfaction. We conduct our own in-house survey every year and receive very positive feedback but it is very encouraging to see our students saying this in public. However, there is no room for complacency and we will keep growing the range of subjects on offer and further invest in improving our up-hill campus so that we can continue giving the students an excellent experience.” -
BGU honorary award nominations now open
For the attention of the BGU community: Each year the University has the opportunity to award Honorary Doctorates and Honorary Fellowships at its graduation ceremonies. Honorary Fellowship is awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University; whilst Honorary Doctorate is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to academic, local, regional, national or international life. Current Bishop Grosseteste University staff and students, retired staff and alumni and current or former University Council members are invited to nominate candidates for honorary awards. Nominations must be made using the appropriate nomination form, and be received by the Registrar and Secretary by Thursday 15th September. Dr Anne Craven, Registrar and Secretary -
From BGU to Tamil Nadu and back again
A journey of learning, discovery and friendship for our Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Students. As University field trips go – this has to be one of the best around. Eleven students studying Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (SENI) and four members of staff from Bishop Grosseteste University spent ten days in India learning how trainee teachers are educated in Tamil Nadu and visiting special education schools. At BGU, in addition to developing expertise in specific subject areas, students are also encouraged to develop a global outlook, strong academic practice, and the skills, qualities and attitudes needed for success in their future work and life. These are described as the BGU Graduate Attributes. Dr Claire Thomson, Head of Centre for Enhancement in Teaching and Learning (CELT) at BGU. said “there is little doubt that opportunities like this broaden our students’ horizons and foster a level of cultural understanding that will serve our students throughout their careers.” As part of the trip, BGU students had the chance to visit teacher-training colleges and engage with both undergraduate and post-graduate students enrolled on teacher education programmes. Through their interactions, both sets of students were able to discuss teaching methods and the educational systems in their own countries - and share information about their own lives. The visit also involved visiting a number of special schools, including a school for the blind, a school for the deaf and a school for students with learning disabilities. The BGU students led activities in each of these settings tailored to the students’ needs and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to put the skills they have learnt on placement in the UK into practice overseas as well as having the opportunity to gain real world experience, to back up their theoretical learning. “It was a once in a lifetime experience that will remain with us all forever” said Claire McGovern, a second year SENI student. Leader of the visit, Dr Julia Lindley-Baker said: “The University has established very positive relationships with the Southern India Diocese, who welcome and support our student study visits. Students continue to benefit from the warm hospitality we receive which facilitates opportunities to experience, understand and embrace cultural differences”. To give something back to their hosts in India the students took over a number of gifts for the institutions they visited and presents for the children in the special schools, including gifts for the girls living in a church-supported orphanage. Special Education Needs and Inclusion student Laura Hakner had, through a range of charitable events organised within her village in East Yorkshire, raised over £800 to be given to a range of deserving causes. It wasn’t all work, work, work however. The students were thoroughly entertained during their visit and enjoyed traditional and modern dance demonstrations, mime performances, and of course, delicious meals and refreshments – they even got to meet the Bishop of Tirunelveli Rt. Rev. J.J. Christdoss. It wasn’t all one-sided either with our students doing their best to entertain their hosts with dance moves of their own; leading a conga line of over 500 students in the Sarah Tucker College in Tirunelveli as part of a programme of entertainment. The momentum has not diminished since the students return to the UK either; one student is running a Students Creating Change project - as part of our acclaimed student engagement programme – to raise enough money to fund a student in India through their three-year BA Education programme. If you would like to contribute to this campaign, please contact Helen Waters-Marsh, Student Engagement Facilitator at helen.waters-marsh@bishopg.ac.uk Helen was fortunate enough to accompany the students on their trip to India thanks to the support of the Centre for Enhancement in Teaching and Learning (CELT centre) – which now sits at the heart of the BGU campus. CELT is committed to enhancing learning, teaching and the student experience and supports staff and students in terms of learning development, digital learning and student engagement projects. -
The FA Cup comes to BGU
The FA Cup trophy paid a very special visit to Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) today ahead of Lincoln City's quarter-final against Arsenal on Saturday. BGU staff and students queued up to get a glimpse of the famous trophy and pose for a photo. The trophy visited campus as part of BGU's ongoing sponsorship of Lincoln City Football Club. Check out some photos below and see our Facebook album for more. -
BGU Looking Eastward to Forge Links in China
Bishop Grosseteste University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor has attended an Educational Exchange in Hunan Province in China as part of Lincolnshire County Council’s endeavours to strengthen relationships and socio-economic prosperity of the two regions. Professor Jayne Mitchell attended the event following the signing of an economic friendship agreement with Hunan Province by the county council. The educational exchange programme focused on developing relationships between universities and strategic bodies such as the education and economic development departments in provincial and county governments. It was co-ordinated by the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government of China and the Hunan Provincial Education Department. The week-long programme involved visits to three cities in Hunan Province (Changsha, Changde and Zhangjiajie), introductions to senior officials in the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and Hunan Provincial Department of Education, and meetings to discuss collaboration and partnership working with 12 of the region’s top universities. During the visit Professor Mitchell signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan First Normal University. The two universities are now planning staff and student exchanges, joint academic programmes, collaborative research projects and cultural exchanges in teacher education. Discussion is also ongoing with several more universities in Hunan about developing similar arrangements in other subject areas and priority sectors for the county. “There are many similarities in the history, expertise and future goals of BGU and universities in Hunan,” said Professor Mitchell. “By working together to share experience, knowledge and resources we can further develop the education and skills of local people and help contribute to the economic prosperity of businesses right across the county. “I would like to thank our hosts for their warm welcome and openness in seeking ways to work together. We have made many new friends and look forward to strengthening these relationships further by extending BGU’s partnership working with both Lincolnshire County Council and universities and businesses in China.” Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’m delighted that Bishop Grosseteste University had a successful visit. This is not just an important step for the university, but it will also help further cement our friendship with the province. “I’m confident that this growing relationship will bring opportunities for other businesses too, with agriculture, engineering, adult social care and culture already earmarked as areas for future collaboration. We have a lot in common and, working together, we can ensure greater prosperity for both regions.” -
BGU strengthens ties with Universities in China
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln, Professor Jayne Mitchell, participated in the ‘UK Week in Hunan’ between 3 -7 July 2017. The ‘UK Week’ was arranged by the British Consulate in Hunan to showcase the relationships between companies from the UK and China. Throughout the week Professor Mitchell attended a range of activities aimed at strengthening BGU’s relationships with Chinese institutions.As part of the visit Professor Mitchell met with four universities to discuss collaborative partnership working arrangements. She also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a new partner university in Hunan Province; Hunan University of Science and Technology (HNUST). The agreement with HNUST could provide opportunities for collaboration in Teacher Education, English, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and research and study exchange for students and staff. She also met with officials from the Hunan Provincial Government Education Department, delivered a seminar on ‘education and globalization; opportunities for collaboration’ and participated in events as part of the UK ‘trade and industry’ celebrations.Professor Mitchell also attended a reception for HRH the Princess Royal hosted by the British Ambassador to China.Speaking about the visit, Professor Mitchell said “We are extremely pleased to be able to connect with new partners in China, in addition to strengthening our relationships with existing partners.“Bishop Grosseteste University is committed to developing its staff and students as global citizens. This partnership will benefit our staff, students and graduates – in addition to the economic and cultural prosperity of Lincolnshire.” -
BGU at Heart of Teaching Reform in Thailand
Education experts from Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln have just returned from Thailand where they are helping the government to improve the quality of teacher training.Professor Chris Atkin, Chair in Higher Education, and Dr Smaragda Kampouri from the university’s School of Teacher Development, had a meeting with Thailand’s Education Minister, His Excellency Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin.In the first such overseas consultancy project that BGU has undertaken, staff from Lincoln are working as consultants to the Thai government to improve initial teacher training in Thailand as part of a broader initiative to raise children and young people’s educational outcomes across the country.“Thailand spends more on education than most other ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries, but pupils’ outcomes are consistently among the lowest,” said Professor Atkin.“The Thai government is convinced that the key to future success for Thai pupils is by improving teacher education. Good teachers are at the heart of good education.“Historically the emphasis in Thailand has been on the spirit of the teacher and teaching as a vocation – teachers in Thailand train for five years before they decide what their specialism will be.“One of our key recommendations was to increase the number of graduate entries into teaching, so the system recruits teachers who already have a first degree in their chosen discipline. In our view Thai teachers need to spend more time studying their subject, particularly those who go onto work in secondary phase schools.”Bishop Grosseteste University first worked with the Thai government last year on an initial review of initial teacher training in Rajabhat universities (newer universities which were formerly teacher training colleges), funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.They met the Education Minister (then the Deputy Education Minister) last August and visited five Rajabhat universities across the country as part of their research.Last week Professor Atkin, Dr Kampouri and BGU’s International Manager Wayne Dyble returned from a further visit to Bangkok to discuss what progress has been made in implementing reforms.“This is the first overseas consultancy project of this type we have undertaken and it’s something we aim to do more of in the future. Dr Emma Pearson and Shaun Thompson, members of the team that visited Thailand last summer, are planning a further visit in the summer to support the reform agenda,” said Professor Atkin.“The meeting went very well and is likely to keep BGU at the heart of the policy reform agenda in Thailand and the wider ASEAN region for years to come.“BGU has over 150 years’ experience in teacher education and we are now looking to expand our international footprint and share our expertise with the rest of the world and learn from the experiences of others working in teacher education.” -
Election Candidates to Debate the Issues at BGU
An election debate aimed at students is set to take place at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln next week. Lincoln’s parliamentary candidates will go head to head in a hustings event at The Venue on Thursday 25th May at 8pm. The event will be an opportunity for students and staff at BGU and the University of Lincoln to put questions to the candidates for the city parliamentary constituency before the General Election on 8th June. Conservative candidate Karl McCartney, Labour’s Karen Lee and Lib Dem candidate Caroline Kenyon have already confirmed their attendance, as has Tony Wells, standing in for the UKIP candidate Nick Smith. The other candidates – Ben Loryman (Green), Phil Gray (Independent) and Iain Scott-Burdon (Independent) – have all been invited to appear at the hustings. Each candidate will be allowed to give a short address before questions are invited from the audience. The event is open to students only but it will be live streamed on the Bishop Grosseteste University Students’ Union Facebook page so the general public in Lincoln can hear what the candidates have to say. The hustings will be chaired by Bob Walder, Chair of the Bishop Grosseteste University Council and former Chief Executive of the Longhurst Group. “It’s thought that only 36 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 voted in the 2015 General Election, and yet the politicians we elect next month will decide the future of young people across the country for many years to come,” said Abi Rogers, Students’ Union Manager at BGU. “As an SU we want to encourage students to register to vote and make sure they cast their vote on 8th June, whatever their political beliefs. “This debate will give students across the city a chance to meet their candidates and ask them important questions about what they would do for Lincoln and for young people if elected.” To book a free ticket online visit www.bgsu.co.uk. Tickets will also be available on the door, subject to availability. -
BGU's first Principal Fellow of the HEA
Dr Ruth Sayers has become Bishop Grosseteste University’s (BGU) first Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). The HEA is a national body that works to encourage teaching excellence to “help improve the student journey into, through and beyond higher education”. As part of their work the HEA award four different categories of Fellowship, with Principal Fellowship being the most prestigious. Achieving Principal Fellowship of the HEA means that Ruth has demonstrated sustained commitment to learning and teaching at BGU and has influence at a national and international level. Ruth, Executive Dean of Learning, Teaching and International at BGU, has joined a very select group of just under 730 Principal Fellows in both the UK and internationally who have attained Principal Fellowship. There are now over 87,000 Fellows which illustrates the level of interest in professional teaching qualifications for HE staff. Ruth said “I’m very proud to have been awarded Principal Fellowship. It is a recognition that many of the strategic changes that I have led in my role as Executive Dean of Learning and Teaching have been effective.” The process for applying for Principal Fellowship took over two years to complete, because it involved a great deal of reflection and drafting. The application comprised a lengthy written submission which was mapped against the Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) descriptors. Three advocate statements from current and former colleagues were also included in the application. Ruth explains “the process of applying to be a Principal Fellow of the HEA was a rewarding and enriching one. It encouraged me to reflect in a structured and critical way on my leadership of learning and teaching across the institution.” There has been more HEA success at BGU recently with 24 more members of staff receiving recognition over the past 10 months. 14 BGU staff members became Fellows while 10 more became Senior Fellows. Along with gaining her Principal Fellowship, Ruth Sayers has been instrumental in helping her colleagues to receive recognition. She said “I will continue to encourage colleagues to undertake Fellowship of the HEA. We have an excellent record of staff engagement with the process, evidenced through the number of new Fellows and Senior Fellows over the past year. “We create space for staff to reflect on their teaching pedagogies through an active staff development series and annual conference. There is a culture at BGU of putting learning and teaching at the heart of everything we do, to enhance the student experience. We see our students as partners in the development of pedagogies for learning.” Ruth’s Principal Fellowship will help to consolidate an already well-established relationship between BGU and the HEA. “We have an excellent relationship with the Higher Education Academy and have made use of their staff as trainers, consultants and advisers in supporting the development of excellent learning and teaching at BGU.” -
A night at the Academy Awards
Staff from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in Lincoln attended Sir Robert Pattinson Academy’s work-based learning skills and academic awards evening last week. Gemma Gazi, BGU's Education Liaison Officer, and Chris Hakes, Widening Participation Coordinator at BGU, presented two awards to students from the school at the celebration on 14 September 2017. Chris was asked to present the ‘MacFarlane Award for Advance Level Studies’, which is awarded to the student who has achieved the highest results in their A levels. The award went to a student called Antonia Folia who had achieved outstanding results across four A-levels plus the Extended Project Qualification. Gemma was asked to present the ‘Work Experience – Education Award’ for students who have completed Year 11 work experience within a school or nursery. The three finalists all had glowing references from their placements. The winner was Sam Benton, who had completed her work experience in the PE department at Lincoln Christ Hospital School. During the placement, she had the opportunity to help deliver lessons and coach students. The evening was in an Oscars style, with canapés and a drinks reception before heading into the school’s main hall for the awards ceremony. Speaking after the event Gemma said, “We have worked closely with Sir Robert Pattinson Academy for a number of years, both through recruitment and widening participation activities, so it was great to be invited to celebrate the evening with their staff and students. “We both found the evening very enjoyable and it was great to support one of our local schools!” Find out more about Outreach for Schools and Colleges at BGU.
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