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Health & Wellbeing in Early Childhood
The BA (Hons) Health and Wellbeing in Early Childhood course at BGU, Lincoln supports a wide range of career opportunities if you want to work with young children. -
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. -
Reading buddies share stories at local nursery
Students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently shared stories at St Giles Nursery as part of a Reading Buddies scheme. Developed in partnership with the nursery and Ermine Library, the scheme provides an opportunity for university students to witness the importance of sharing stories with young children and help them develop their literacy skills. Seven Early Childhood Studies students explored a range of books with small groups of early years children. From 'Gorilla Loves Vanilla' to the classic 'Funnybones', the children's imaginations were captivated by the books shared during the thirty-minute sessions. Under the scheme, students can gain certification for their CVs based on how many sessions they attend. The initiative runs once a month and has been well received by both the students and the children. BGU Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies Samantha Hoyes said: "The Reading Buddies scheme is a wonderful initiative that not only benefits the children but also provides our students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience. "By participating in this programme, our students are able to develop their skills and knowledge while supporting the local community. We are delighted to see the positive impact that this scheme is having and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Ermine Library and St Giles Nursery School." -
Students graduate in exciting Early Childhood degree pathway
In September 2021, Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) introduced students to the opportunity to work towards sector endorsed graduate practitioner competencies alongside the BGU BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme. The ECGPC (Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies) pathway seeks to strengthen the link between placement and theory, developing a graduate led workforce across the ECEC sector. It includes 80 days of placement in a variety of settings, an additional portfolio, and a very special end point assessment where they showcase all they have learned. This is therefore the first year of completion. This route, along with our traditional BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, is full and relevant, meaning they are ready and qualified to work within the Early Childhood sector. BGU students Marina Quaresma and Katy Evans graduated from the University on Thursday 24th July 2024 with a qualification in BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner). Prior to graduation they both completed their End Point Assessment for their chosen routes, demonstrating the skills they have learned across their extensive placement. Both of them are BGU's very first students to graduate with the ECGPC! The GPC route really benefits practical skills such as planning activities and observing children. Placement offers the opportunity to see the theory in practice and allows you to build relationships with local settings. The E-diary also benefits your reflective skills and allows you to look back on what you have learnt. My favourite part was watching the children flourish under my care and the relationships I made along the way. Katy Evans The Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies aim to: 1. Remove the confusion in the sector about how ECS Degrees are aligned to practice requirements in the four nations of the UK. 2. Address the inherent challenges of different types of Early Childhood degrees and study pathways, enabling the wider workforce to be clear about individual early career graduates’ expected level of knowledge, skills and actual experience in practice. 3. Acknowledge the different pathways that lead learners to undertake the degrees, enhance their practice experience and enhance employability skills. 4. Ensure that Higher Education academic routes are responsive to the changing needs and training routes in early years practice, education and the wider Children’s Services workforce. 5. Make a significant contribution to strengthening a graduate-led Early Childhood workforce that is responsive to workforce needs and improves outcomes for children. 6. Afford students with placement opportunities to critically apply theory to practice in a range of Early Childhood settings and/or schools, social care and health settings. This will enable students to develop graduate skills in the application of the inter-disciplinary Early Childhood knowledge base to reflective practice. 7. Provide new opportunities for graduates who want to strengthen their practice in Early Childhood and/or progress to post-graduate academic programmes or professional training, including Early Years Teacher (0-5), Teacher (3-11), Social Work and health professions. ECSDN. (2020). Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies -
Dr Sacha Mason
Sacha is Head of Programmes for Education, Health and Lifelong Learning. The role includes the strategic leadership and management of programme development and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Early Childhood Studies, Education Studies, Professional Studies, and Special Educational Needs Disability and Inclusion, Psychology, Counselling, Health and Social Care and Sport within the Faculty. She is also Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange and a Senior Fellow of the HEA. Sacha is a Doctoral supervisor. -
Samantha Hoyes
Samantha has been teaching at Bishop Grosseteste University since 2012, initially as a visiting tutor and as a full-time member of staff from 2020. Prior to joining BGU full time, she has worked in a variety of early years settings, as well as managing and co-owning two early years settings in Lincolnshire. Samantha also has experience inspecting early years provision. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is currently undertaking her PhD. Her PhD research focuses on the experiences of working mothers and how they position their identity. Samantha has a keen interest in the power dynamics involved in research, exploring a range of methods and approaches, including photo elicitation, online interviewing and quilting as ways and means to share power and present research findings. Samantha teaches on the undergraduate Early Childhood Studies programme and teaching interests include policy, provision and practice, outdoor play, children’s rights, and risky play, as well as an array of contemporary issues which impact the sector. Building on research from her Master's, Samantha has a strong interest in early years professionalism and the continued development of the early years sector and is Co-Chair for the Professionalism and Workforce Strategy group (PAWS) as part of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN). -
Children’s Literature and Literacies
The MA in Children's Literature and Literacies gives you an opportunity to deepen your passion for literature written for children through research-led modules that engage with emerging frameworks and debates. Supported by a team of academic specialists, you will investigate theories of literacy development, and the learning and reading experiences of children and young people through interdisciplinary, inclusive, and current approaches. You will critically explore ‘classic’ texts and contemporary publications across a range of genres, ranging from poetry, picture books and non-fiction to graphic novels and digital applications, aimed at readers from 0-18. You will examine the nature of literacy and literature in a digital age, their current existence and future directions. This MA will foster your academic capabilities and individual interests through conceptual and empirical research.Please note: This course is only available to study part time. -
BGU graduate given Prue Goodwin Award!
This year's Prue Goodwin award has been presented to Bishop Grosseteste University Children’s Literature and Literacies MA student (now 2024 graduate) Emma Edwards, in recognition of her Master's dissertation which explored representations of disability in children's literature. Her research around this topic was incredibly in-depth and she was "very interested in the types of characters represented in literature, as well as how the children interpreted and understood them." Dr Prue Goodwin, who received an honorary doctorate from BGU in 2021, has been an inspiration to many colleagues and their teaching. Prue Goodwin trained as a teacher at BGU (1965-1965) and is now a world authority on Primary Education. She is a longstanding member of the UK Literacy Association (UKLA) and a prolific writer, having written and edited more than 18 books and guides. Emma commented: "I am really grateful that my master’s dissertation has been recognised through the Prue Goodwin award. I referred to her work during the research element of the study. The final dissertation was a result of a lot of hard work and was particularly challenging as I was balancing a Primary School teaching role, a new Senior Lecturer role and a young family.My dissertation stemmed from two key pieces of academic writing. Bishop (1990) identified that books were, ‘Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors.’ Blaska (2004) built on this work and went on to identify that ‘Perhaps no group has been as overlooked and inaccurately presented in children’s books as individuals with disabilities.’ My final work focused on representations of disability within children’s literature, particularly focusing on visible disabilities. I’m really proud of the work through this piece of research and I hope that I will have the opportunity to share my findings and build further on my understanding of representations within children’s literature in the future." Her award was presented by award-winning children's author Hannah Gold on Thursday 24th of July just after the BGU Graduation ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral. Hannah was attending the ceremony to receive her Honorary Doctorate from BGU. Congratulations Emma! -
Undergraduate Teaching Courses
Whether you want to focus on a specific subject or specific age group our wide variety of courses will help you find your perfect start. -
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.
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