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FdA Early Childhood Education in Practice (Grantham)
Have you ever thought about working towards a degree, but decided against it as you are already in employment or volunteering and don’t want to give that up? Our FdA Early Childhood Education in Practice course is designed for those working or volunteering with children 0-8 years in the voluntary, private and independent early years sector or a foundation unit in a school. This course is also for nannies, child minders and those working in Children’s Centres with families of young children. Please note that this course is taught at Grantham College. -
Our International Recruitment Partners
If you are interested in studying at BGU, but would like further advice you can speak to one of our recruitment partners today -
BGU tutor goes stateside for convention
A Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) tutor recently delivered a paper at an international conference held in San Francisco. Dr Amy Webster was invited to attend the Modern Language Association's (MLA) convention as a speaker and spent four days meeting with fellow academics and exploring the city. Her paper about British series of children's classics was part of a panel with American Professors on children's literature and culture in the modern city. The paper drew upon Dr Webster's PhD, which was completed at the University of Cambridge. Dr Webster, who teaches on the Education Studies undergraduate programme and the MA in Children’s Literature and Literacies, was able to attend the convention thanks to MLA's travel grant and BGU's research fund. As one of few speakers at the conference from the UK, she was excited to present her research and explore the topic in a different context and culture. She said: "It was my first time attending this annual convention and it was lovely to be involved. I made some good connections with other academics which I hope will lead to collaborations in the future. "It was a great opportunity to identify where my researched overlapped and interconnected with that of other attendees, and we were able to enjoy some lively debate." A copy of Dr Webster's presentation can be found here. -
Dr Abimbola Thompson
Dr Abimbola (Bola) Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Business at Bishop Grosseteste University. Before joining BGU, Bola worked in various capacities at various institutions including Coventry University Scarborough, Cambridge Education Group - OnCampus Hull, and University of Hull. Bola began her professional journey as an assistant auditor with Akintola Williams Deloitte and Touche, upon graduation in 2002. While practising as an auditor, Bola developed a keen interest in how financial practices influence broader economic systems. Bola received her MSc in Business Economics and PhD in Economics from the University of Hull, in 2005 and 2013, respectively. The PhD research topic was on “Financial development, FDI and Economic growth: Evidence from developing countries”. Bola has worked in various roles in higher education from foundation level to postgraduate studies; this includes tutoring, lecturing, module lead, and course content developer for master’s foundation postgraduate studies. Bola’s research and learning interests include macroeconomics, international trade, human capital and economic development, Foreign direct investments (FDI) and financial development. Her contributions to the academic community are significant as she serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of International Trade & Economic Development. Bola is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an active member of several prestigious organisations, including the British Academy of Management (BAM), the Chinese Economic Association (UK &EU), the World Economics Association (WEA) and the Academy of African Business and Development (AABD). -
Sleep like a Baby!
Tips for effortlessly drifting into dreamland. -
Collaborative Educational Partnerships (UK)
Collaborative Educational Partnerships are established with institutions who deliver BGU approved degree programmes locally and more widely across England. These partnerships enable BGU and its UK partner institutions to enrich the local HE provision, extend the geographical reach of the university, and enable a diverse range of students to achieve a BGU-validated qualification. Depending on their course and location, many students at BGU's UK partner institutions later progress onto higher-level programmes, which might be delivered either at BGU, or within their own institutions -
Lecturer's first book explores the connections between music and language learning
BGU Lecturer Tracy Jeffery has published her first book - Developing Early Verbal Skills Through Music: Using rhythm, movement and song with children and young people with additional or complex needs. Tracy began working on the book three years ago, after she gave a presentation at the Down Syndrome Research forum about music and language. According to Tracy, the talk sparked a lot of interest from parents, and she was keen to share everything she had learned from working in schools and colleges as well as her PhD and later research. 'Developing Early Verbal Skills Through Music' explains the connections between music and language learning, especially in the very early stages (up to about 3-4 years). In the book, Tracy explains the science behind this, the evidence that shows how and why music-making can support speech skills; and why these same skills can develop differently in children and adults with learning or developmental differences and disabilities, including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, hypermobility disorders. The book offers guidance about how to support learners with different diagnoses of SEND to develop musical skills in listening, rhythm, and singing so that practitioners can make adaptations. Dr Tracy Jeffery teaches on the BA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (SENDI) programme, MA in SEND and leads the Distance Learning Top Up in SEND. She joined Bishop Grosseteste University as a Visiting Tutor in 2010, teaching on Education Studies, SENI and Psychology programmes, and joined as a full time lecturer in 2016. Tracy said: "I am delighted to have published my first book through Jessica Kingsley Publishers, who are well known for providing affordable and accessible books, especially in arts, therapies and SEND. "I wrote it for parents, firstly - I really wanted to share with them the amazing benefits that making music with children and adults can have for listening, attention, wellbeing, and most of all, for speech perception, speech production and voice. "There is so much research that shows how music-making can support skills as diverse as reading, second language learning, and speech fluency; but there are certain conditions that need to be in place when learning. "I have explained why some children and learners can have difficulty with speech and language, as well as music; and explained some of the ways parents, teachers, and practitioners can support children when making music so that they are also using the language-based skills." You can order from most bookstores, including e-books from Amazon; or can buy direct from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and get a 20% discount using the code JEFFERY20. Dr Tracy Jeffery with her new book -
Honorary Award recipients announced
Each year, Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has the opportunity to award Honorary Doctorates and Honorary Fellowships at its graduation ceremonies. BGU staff and students, retired staff and alumni and current or former University Council members were invited to nominate candidates for honorary awards. 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 achievement, social, economic or cultural life. We're pleased to announce this year's award recipients, who will be honoured at graduation celebrations in July 2023. Bishop Grosseteste University Vice-Chancellor Rev Canon Professor Peter Neil said: “We are proud to be awarding this year’s honorary recipients for their expertise and service in their respective roles. I am delighted to welcome them to our wider BGU community. “Each one of them is inspirational in their own right and all serve as excellent role models for our students in how to make a positive impact on society.” -
Wellbeing Resources
We have created some helpful resources that aim to support positive mental health and wellbeing. You can find some of these resources on this page and more information is available on Student Advice & Wellbeing’s Blackboard page. If you are worried about another student's mental health, please see our Student in Crisis page here or read our 'Worried about a friend's mental health?' guide here. If you would like to discuss any aspect of your mental health, or need some additional support please contact Student Advice & Wellbeing , or arrange an appointment with BGU’s Mental Health Adviser using our online booking system. -
First Aid for Mental Health training offered at BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University has offered First Aid for Mental Health training to its staff for the first time. 21 members of the BGU community signed up to become First Aiders for Mental Health. Every member of staff across the University was offered the opportunity to enrol in either a Level 2 or Level 3 course with Firecracker, an organisation that works with businesses to help them see the impact health can have upon workplace culture. The Level 2 course was delivered over one day and covered a number of health-related subjects including how to provide advice and start a conversation, and the impact of different mental health conditions. The Level 3 course built on this foundation of knowledge, and explored further topics including an in-depth analysis of various conditions. The courses were delivered by Firecracker Founder and Senior Lecturer in Business and Enterprise Rachel Linstead. She has been a trainer for over 22 years and has a Masters in Workplace Health and Wellbeing. Rachel said: "We all have mental health and it’s vitally important for everyone to understand what good and poor mental health looks like. The workplace is an ideal opportunity to give staff the tools to support themselves and their colleagues to ensure that everyone can flourish in and out of the workplace." First Aiders for Mental Health (FA4MH) are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of common workplace mental health issues and know how to effectively guide a person towards the right mental health support. They are also equipped to promote a workplace culture where staff are free to discuss mental health issues openly and feel supported by their colleagues when they do so. Staff from a variety of areas across the University signed up to gain these new skills, including individuals from support services, business and enterprise, CELT, members of academic staff, and the Students' Union. Bishop Grosseteste Students' Union President Connor Short completed the Level 3 course. He said: "I feel that First Aid for mental health training is important for everyone to know because, much like in instances where physical first aid is needed, it can save a life. "It is impossible to know if or when someone may need support, but having it available can make the world of difference for us all." Following the success of the training, the University hopes to offer further opportunities to its staff to become First Aiders for Mental Health in the future.
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