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Students and Staff Explore Non-Fiction for Children
Each year a group of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) students and staff take part in the children’s book award for the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA). They select a category of books and, from a shortlist of titles within that category, they vote for a winner. They then send our choice forward to the UKLA to join the votes from other shadowing groups at schools and universities around the country. The overall winner from each category is announced at the UKLA’s Conference which takes place in the summer. This year a new category, non-fiction books for children, was added to the awards and the BGU shadowing group have chosen to explore its titles. Dr Mary-Louise Maynes, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, and Janice Morris, Teaching Resources Librarian, explained what makes the shadowing exercise worthwhile and why the new category appealed to the group: “The process is an enjoyable and interesting one: we have the chance to read a range of new and exciting children’s books and to debate and discuss our choices over tea, coffee and biscuits! We explore books we might not have chosen to pick up and share some often very different reactions to them. Seeing a book from a different perspective can help to develop our critical thinking around texts and broaden our understanding of children’s literature. This year we chose to focus on non-fiction books for children. This was a new category introduced just this year to the book award. The introduction of the category reflects the rich and diverse range of non-fiction books being published for children at the moment and an increased interest in this category of texts. Unlike the other categories, books in the shortlist are suitable for children aged from 3 to 14+ years. They cover a wide range of topics and styles and a preference for artistic illustrations rather than photographs and beautifully presented texts is a feature of these new books. The shortlist is given below and all of the books can be found in the Teaching Resources Collection: we look forward to sharing them with you when the library re-opens and will let you know who the winner is when this is announced in the summer!” Unfortunately, the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 has meant that the group have been unable to carry on with their usual shadowing group meet ups this year, but they fully intend to get involved again for next year’s book award. All students and staff are very welcome to join, look out for information about the group if you are interested early in 2021. Full Shortlist of Information Books 3 -14+ Mary and Frankenstein written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Jũlia Sardὰ, (Andersen Press) (Print version only) A Book of Bears written and illustrated by Katie Viggers (Laurence King) (Print version only) A Child of St. Kilda written and illustrated by Beth Waters (Child’s Play) (Print version only) Counting on Katherine written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruck (Macmillan) (Print and Kindle version available) Questions I am asked about the Holocaust written by Heidi Fried (Scribe) (Print and Kindle version available) Once Upon a Raindrop written by James Carter and illustrated by Nomoco (Caterpillar Books) (Print version only) -
BGU Staff Members Contribute to Award Winning Book
Bishop Grosseteste University’s Dr Andrew Jackson, Head of Research, and Dr Rose Roberto, Teaching Resources Librarian and History Lecturer, have contributed to The Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press, a unique resource recently awarded The Robert and Vineta Colby Scholarly Book Prize by The Research Society for Victorian Periodicals (RSVP). The Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press is a collection of essays examining nineteenth-century British and Irish newspaper and periodical history during a key period of change and development. It covers an important point of expansion in periodical and press history across the four nations of Great Britain (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), concentrating on cross-border and transnational comparisons and contrasts in nineteenth-century print communication. Designed to provide readers with a clear understanding of the current state of research in the field, in addition to an extensive introduction, it includes forty newly commissioned chapters and case studies exploring a full range of press activity and press genres. Practical features in this tome, which probably swayed the panel, include a helpful timeline of significant events in the history of printing technology intersecting with social, political, and cultural history. There are also a large selection of high-resolution images showing 19th-century visual and tactile material that readers will find engaging. The Colby Prize is for original book-length scholarship about Victorian periodicals and newspapers and in awarding it to The Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press, the RSVP praised the new book for being “a remarkable, wide-ranging resource that gives welcome attention to diversity and transnational connections.” Continuing their praise the society added: “It will be valuable for a wide range of readers. RSVP is pleased to honour the work of all the writers as well as the editor, who together have made a contribution to nineteenth-century periodical studies that will remain a standard for many years to come.” Dr Roberto and Dr Jackson authored chapters 3 and 26 respectively. Speaking after the announcement Dr Jackson discussed what readers could expect from the book: "Our newspaper media today owes much to its history of rapid expansion and cultural diversification during the nineteenth century. This volume provides a definitive survey, and a wide-ranging and deep exploration. It was privilege to contribute, offering perspectives on the great outpouring of local and regional newspapers, and what these tell us about the development and character of the communities and districts in which we live today." Dr Roberto shared her excitement at her inclusion and on the potential impact the book could have: “I was delighted to find out that my paper at an international conference in Edinburgh, called “Communities of Communication” was the basis of an award-winning book. There were numerous outstanding presentations that were delivered over two days, and I am pleased and humbled that my research on Victorian-era illustration was chosen by editor David Finkelstein for inclusion in this comprehensive volume.” The Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press is available as an e-book at the BGU Library. Members of the BGU community can access it 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. -
Primary Education staff and students host Maths sessions for local children
Our Primary Education staff and students hosted two sessions at the Ermine Library. -
Diabetes awareness supported by Health and Social Care staff and students
Health and Social Care staff and students, in collaboration with our Students' Union, hosted an Information Station on campus. -
Students and Staff travel through time and see the Pope on Rome trip
Students and staff from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) jetted off to Rome to delve into historical, cultural and religious sites relating to their subject specialisms. -
Staff and students’ flowers turn university garden into a colourful oasis of calm
Towards the end of autumn, staff and students at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) came together for a ‘Blooming Marvellous’ afternoon of green-fingered fun. Devised in partnership between BGU’s CELT and Chaplaincy teams the ‘Blooming Marvellous’ event encouraged the BGU community to celebrate positive change and growth by providing them with the opportunity to plant bulbs in the University’s Peace Garden. With spring in full swing and summer around the corner the Peace Garden has now burst into life, becoming an oasis of colour in the heart of campus, and the patient planters can now see the results of their efforts. Claire Thomson, Head of the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT), was delighted for everyone involved that their hard work was now providing such a positive environment for the whole university: “Not only have our staff and students transformed the Peace Garden into a beautiful and tranquil place to relax, they have also created a symbol of their own growth, transition, and hope. Hopefully now, whenever they’re looking for that extra little push, they’ll be able to look on this gorgeous garden to feel inspired.” You can keep up to date with all the upcoming events designed to support and inspire our students and staff on our news and events pages. -
Prostate Cancer awareness supported by Health and Social Care staff and students
This October, staff and students on our Health and Social Care undergraduate course raised awareness of Prostate Cancer. -
Science, Faith and the Climate Crisis: BGU Staff and Students Support New Collaborative Project
Staff and a final year student have contributed to an international project exploring why science and faith must work together on climate crisis. -
BGU English staff and students at the Yorkshire Festival of Story Review
Have you ever stopped to think about where your favourite stories originate? Why do human beings continue to tell the same stories over and over again? -
Ami Montgomery
Position: Deputy Head of ITE Programmes Current Role and Responsibilities As the Deputy Head of ITE Programmes since April 2024, Ami provides strategic and operational oversight for a diverse portfolio of programmes, including primary, secondary, and further education ITE, as well as postgraduate teacher education programmes. She collaborates closely with the Head of ITE Programmes to support the overall strategies of the Faculty, ensuring the quality and standards of courses, managing staffing, and leading the ITE Leadership Group. Approved Individual Licensed Practitioner (ILP) Ami is an approved Individual Licensed Practitioner (ILP) of The Bell Foundation’s Language for Results services, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing language education and supporting learners with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Academic Experience Teaching and Learning: Ami has extensive experience in designing and delivering high-quality educational programmes. She has contributed significantly to curriculum development, teaching material design, and the delivery of modules across various levels. Her expertise includes areas such as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), EAL, Multiculturalism, and Initial Teacher Education. Research and Knowledge Exchange: Her doctoral research seeks to explore the intercultural dialogic teaching and learning interactions within UK primary classrooms, with a focus on the relevance of linguistic and cultural capital for inclusion. The study uses a multimodal ethnographic approach, employing a NEW and adapted T-SEDA (Toolkit for Systematic Educational Dialogue Analysis) toolkit for analysing classroom interactions. It highlights the importance of fostering intercultural communicative competence and inclusive pedagogies in enhancing social cohesion and equitable educational opportunities. The findings provide insights into the nature of intercultural dialogic interactions and their impact on social cohesion and social justice in the UK primary classroom setting. Ami continues to actively engages in research, knowledge exchange, and scholarly activities, seeking opportunities for income generation and contributing to the institution’s research profile.
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