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Jade Flying High at the Winter Games!
Bishop Grosseteste graduate Jade Etherington is now a quadruple Olympic medal winner following a whirlwind couple of days in Sochi. She is now officially Britain's most successful winter paralympian. Jade became Britain's first ever winter Olympics medallist with a silver medal in the Alpine Skiing Women's Downhill - Visually Impaired category. She then added a bronze medal to her tally in the Super-G event, finishing just over a second behind Gold medallist and Team GB compatriot Kelly Gallagher. Another two silvers followed in the Slalom and Super Combined Super-G categories.She has two more chances to add to her medal haul over the next few days, competing in the Super Combined and Giant Slalom events. Jade, who graduated from BGU two years ago with a degree in Education Studies and Geography, was born with glaucoma and Axenfeld Syndrome - a rare eye disorder - Jade has less than 5% vision in each eye. She is Britain's number one visually impaired alpine speed event ski racer, winning a bronze medal in the 2013 World Championships and reaching the medal podium 28 times in 32 races. "Jade is not only an inspirational athlete but an inspiration to everyone she meets," said Graham Meeson, Head of Education and Learning at Bishop Grosseteste University. "Her attitude and the way she has handled steadily losing her eyesight is a testament to her character and she has demonstrated that there really is no barrier that can prevent you achieving your goals and competing at the highest level." Skiers with blindness or a visual impairment are guided through the race course by a sighted guide using signals to indicate the course to follow. This involves a high level of trust between the athlete and the guide, and they are both awarded medals if they reach the podium. Jade competes with ex-Team GB athlete Caroline Powell, who skis closely in front of Jade at speeds of up to 65mph and uses pre-determined commands via helmet radios to help Jade to negotiate the course as quickly as possible. Jade and her guide Caroline are both on Twitter - you can follow them now at @raceyjadeski and @CarolineSkie -
New Head Transforms Failing School in Just Two Terms
An inspiring head teacher has transformed his school just six months after taking up his first headship. Buckminster Primary School between Grantham and Melton Mowbray was placed in special measures by Ofsted in April last year, and Bishop Grosseteste University graduate Jon Brown (36) was appointed as its new head over the summer. Today staff, children and parents at the school are celebrating after Ofsted took the school out of special measures and rated it as good with outstanding features. "For a school to come out of special measures so quickly is incredible - almost unprecedented," said Mr Brown, who trained as a teacher and studied for his MA at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. "Together we've turned the school round in just two terms, which is very rare. The biggest issue I faced when I arrived was that there were key areas that needed radical change. The school had limited leadership in place and the progress of children had eroded.I put firm plans in place and made new appointments, and in September we hit the ground running. The staff have had constant training about all elements of good to outstanding teaching and learning, and they've all pulled together. "We now have very robust systems in place to identify and track children's progress to make sure they achieve their full potential." Buckminster Primary School had its first monitoring visit by inspectors on 12th September 2013 and inspectors converted a further visit earlier this month into a full inspection. The school was taken out of special measures on Wednesday 5th February."The staff and I have worked really hard to refocus the children's attitude to learning, and the teamwork and community feel of the school is now very strong," said Mr Brown. He paid tribute to other local schools, CfBT Education Trust, Leicestershire County Council and staff at Bishop Grosseteste University, whom he described as "absolutely instrumental in providing continuous professional development. It's fantastic to have an institution at the cutting edge of education innovation and research right on our doorstep," he said. "So many of the skills I've had to employ at Buckminster were certainly born at BGU." "One of my very first lectures on outstanding teaching was about taking risk - I took a risk here and through hard work and dedication we have achieved our goals." Mr Brown is a member of the University Court at BGU and was made a fellow of Bishop Grosseteste University in 2007. He completed his MA in 2011 and graduated with his identical twin brother Nick, who is now Assistant Head of The Priory Academy LSST in Lincoln. "The children, staff and governors have all played an integral part in the transformational changes that have now taken place," he added. "The goal now is to get this school to outstanding across the board, where it deserves to be. I want the school to build its own vision and its own future involving children, parents and all the staff, and that's something that will set it on its journey to being outstanding." Bishop Grosseteste University was established in uphill Lincoln in January 1862 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012. It is an independent higher education institution which awards its own degrees at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level. It changed its name from Bishop Grosseteste University College to Bishop Grosseteste University in November 2012. Buckminster Primary School is a small, rural school for children aged four to 11. The school is housed in a Victorian building on the private Buckminster Estate between the villages of Buckminster and Sewstern on the Lincolnshire / Leicestershire border. The Ofsted report published today rates Buckminster Primary School as good with outstanding features. The quality of teaching is rated as good, the achievement of pupils is good, the behaviour and safety of children is outstanding and leadership and management of the school is outstanding. To view the report visit the school's website at https://www.buckminster.leics.s... or download the PDF from the Cision newsroom, at https://mb.cision.com/Public/235/9541734/85939b1d4da1533a.pdf. News release 24th February 2014 -
Jade Will Fly the Flag for Lincoln at the Winter Games
A Lincoln graduate and trainee teacher will be flying the flag for GB at the Winter Paralympic Games next month. Jade Etherington (22), who graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University two years ago with a degree in Education and Geography, has been included in the Paralympics team to compete in Sochi. Born with glaucoma and Axenfeld Syndrome - a rare eye disorder - Jade has less than 5% vision in each eye. She is Britain's number one visually impaired alpine speed event ski racer, winning a bronze medal in the 2013 World Championships and reaching the medal podium 28 times in 32 races. If she wins a medal in Sochi she will make history by becoming the first ever British alpine skier to make the podium at a Winter Paralympic Games. "Jade is not only an inspirational athlete but an inspiration to everyone she meets," said Graham Meeson, Head of Education and Learning at Bishop Grosseteste University. "Her attitude and the way she has handled steadily losing her eyesight is a testament to her character and she has demonstrated that there really is no barrier that can prevent you achieving your goals and competing at the highest level. We'll be following her progress in Sochi and we really hope to see her back in Lincoln with a gold medal!" Skiers with blindness or a visual impairment are guided through the race course by a sighted guide using signals to indicate the course to follow. This involves a high level of trust between the athlete and the guide, and they are both awarded medals if they reach the podium. Jade competes with ex-Team GB athlete Caroline Powell, who skis closely in front of Jade at speeds of up to 65mph and uses pre-determined commands via helmet radios to help Jade to negotiate the course as quickly as possible. Jade is currently out of the country training in preparation for the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games. You can follow @raceyjadeski on Twitter. News release 23rd January 2014 -
BGU to Offer New Qualification for Early Years Teachers
Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln will be training teachers in the early years sector for the first time from September 2014.BGU has been allocated 50 places to train teachers on programmes leading to Early Years Teacher Status (nought to five years), which means the university now trains those teaching learners aged from nought to 90. To help raise the status and quality of the early years workforce the Government has introduced Early Years Teacher Status which replaces Early Years Professional Status and has the same entry requirements and level of expectations as for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The new EYTS courses will run alongside the university's existing courses leading to QTS for teachers working with ages three to 19 and courses for those teaching in the lifelong learning sector. Courses will be available for graduates who intend to or already work in the early years sector. It will also be possible to combine study for a degree in Early Childhood Studies with study towards EYTS. "We're very pleased to have been allocated these places, which will enable us to broaden still further the range of teaching qualifications that we offer," said Nigel Appleton, Dean of Teacher Development at Bishop Grosseteste University. The fact that we have been allocated places for the new EYTS means this is the first time our training programmes will have covered the entire age range of learners, from babies to pensioners. "The new Early Years Teacher Status is an important development because there is clear evidence that high-quality early education and childcare can have a powerful impact on young children and can fully prepare them for school and later life." Details of the courses and how to apply can be obtained from enquiries@bishopg.ac.uk. News Release 2 January 2014 jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk -
Doors Open at BGU
Students thinking about going to university can look round brand new facilities and hear about new courses at a Bishop Grosseteste University open day this Sunday (6th October). The university has spent £4.3 million on a new accommodation building this summer as part of a £6.5m investment programme. Visitors to the open day between 11am and 4pm on Sunday can see the new student residences at first hand and find out more about the courses on offer. These include new single honours degrees in History and SENI (Special Educational Needs and Inclusion) and a new Psychology degree course which enrolled its first students this year. Visitors to the open day will be able to speak to staff and students, go on a guided tour of the campus and even enjoy a minibus tour of Lincoln city centre.There will be a rolling programme of presentations, DVDs and one-to-one meetings and visitors are encouraged to drop in at any time throughout the day. The university’s student advice team will be available to talk to students and their families about issues such as student finance and the accommodation team will advise on places to live. Lunch is available between 11.30am and 2pm and snacks and meals are available throughout the day from the Dining Room in Constance Stewart Hall and from Curiositea, the university’s Alice in Wonderland themed coffee shop, which has been extended and refurbished over the summer. “It doesn’t matter how many prospectuses you read and how many websites you browse, there’s no substitute for actually visiting a university,” said Louise Stow, Student Recruitment Manager at BGU. “Our campus in uphill Lincoln is a unique and beautiful place and we would encourage anyone thinking about studying at university to pay us a visit this weekend.” A further open day will be held at Bishop Grosseteste University on Wednesday 6th November 2013. Please click here to register your interest in this and any other upcoming Open Days. -
Children travel back in time at summer school
Children from across the region have been time travelling, from ancient Pompeii to medieval Lincoln and back again, thanks to a unique summer camp experience. The Archaeology Summer School, run by Bishop Grosseteste University, gave 24 budding historians, aged between seven and 12, the chance to get hands-on with both traditional and cutting-edge archaeology techniques, in a fun and creative environment. “The week was open to all children on a first-come-first-serve basis and has proven very popular; we had a really long waiting list,” explained Zoe Tomlinson, Community Archaeologist at BGU and organiser of the camp. “The children really enjoy it and a lot have come back for a second year with their friends and siblings.” Hosted at the Old School House on the university’s campus, and staffed by BGU heritage students, the week-long programme included the reconstruction of a Pompeian room, complete with life-size Pompeians made out of chicken wire and papier-mâché. The activities all had a creative theme and included large-scale paintings, pottery and even facial reconstruction using plastic skulls and clay – similar to the recent techniques used to recreate the face of King Richard III. The children also went on two field trips, one to a real dig in Navenby and another to Lincoln Cathedral, to record medieval graffiti. Iona Goodman, aged nine, said “We’ve been doing facial reconstruction using plastic Halloween skulls and making mosaics. I really liked the Pompeii room – I think that was a really nice idea because it involved everybody. We also went to the Cathedral to look at ancient graffiti which was really good.” The annual Archaeology Summer School has been set up as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to education and heritage. The atmosphere is that of a fun summer holiday break, and the children are constantly discovering new facts and information. “We do a lot of art based on the theme of archaeology, to really fire the children’s imaginations,” said Zoe. “We don’t want this to feel like another school environment during the holidays as it’s important they have fun, but we do want it to be as educational as possible. The kids don’t know each other but they form really strong friendships as they all share an interest in history.” Press release: 20 August 2013 -
Imps Unveil New Bishop Grosseteste Sponsored Kit
Lincoln City’s new home strip for the 2013/14 season has been unveiled today (Friday 2nd August). The new shirts feature the logo of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) which entered into a new strategic partnership with the club in March. Under the terms of the three-year agreement BGU is a leading partner of the football club and the university’s new lions logo will appear on Lincoln City’s home and replica shirts for the next three seasons. The club and BGU will work closely together on a number of initiatives, including Football in the Community work, placement opportunities for BGU students and partnerships between the football club and BGU’s sports courses. BGU will also work with Lincoln City Sport and Education Trust to support its work with children and young people in the local area. “It’s great to see our emblem displayed on Lincoln City’s shirts for the new season,” said Rob Jones, Director of Enterprise at Bishop Grosseteste University. “We’re hoping that the BGU lions and the Lincoln City imp can strike fear into the opposition throughout the coming season!” Russell Moore, Lincoln City FC Commercial Manager, added: “We are delighted to unveil our new home kit which reflects our new partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University. “This agreement will benefit both the club and the city of Lincoln, with both of us having a proud history and a vision for success. “We are confident BGU will be an excellent partner for us and we are looking forward to building a strong working relationship with them.” 2nd August 2013g -
Two twin triumphs at BGU
Two sets of identical twins will graduate from Bishop Grosseteste University at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday (17th July). Gemma and Jade Charlton and Stacey and Nicole Hall, all 21, will be graduating with honours degrees in the ceremony before following various paths into teaching. Stacey and Nicole, from Long Eaton in Nottingham, are both graduating with first-class honours: Stacey in Education Studies and English, and Nicole in Education Studies and History. Nicole will now go on to study for her PGCE qualifications at BGU in September, while Stacey will take two years out, to gain some work experience before studying for a Master's Degree in Social Work. When they found out their results, Stacey said: “It was a little nerve-wracking as I got my results and saw I had a first, but we didn’t yet know what Nicole had achieved, so it was a relief when we found out she’d done just as well!” Gemma and Jade, from Grimsby, are both graduating with upper second-class honours in Education Studies and Sport – but they are now going down different routes into the world of teaching. “I have decided to go straight back to BGU and do my PGCE, while Jade will go down a different route and is looking for jobs as a teaching assistant in schools first, before she trains to become a teacher,” said Gemma. Both sets of twins will graduate at 2.30pm on Wednesday 17th July 2013. 15 July 2013 Media: If you would like to interview or photograph the twins please contact Shooting Star PR on 01522 528540 or email jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk. -
War Horse Author Michael Morpurgo To Receive BGU Honour
Award-winning author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo, OBE is to be honoured by Bishop Grosseteste University at a graduation ceremony later this month. The author of War Horse will receive an honorary doctorate of the university at one of three graduation ceremonies which will take place at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday 17th July. Other honorary awards will be given to Dame Clare Tickell DBE, Chief Executive of Action for Children and author of a recent review of early years education in the UK, and to Karen Lowthrop MBE, CEO of environmental social enterprise Hill Holt Wood near Lincoln. Dame Clare Tickell will receive an honorary doctorate at 10:15am on 17th July. Michael Morpurgo’s award will be given at 2:30pm and Karen Lowthrop will given an honorary doctorate at 7:15pm. A record total of 870 students will graduate from Bishop Grosseteste University at the ceremonies this year. “At our first graduation ceremonies as a university we will be pleased to recognise the achievements of three people who are excellent role models for our own graduating students,” said the Reverend Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University. “Michael Morpurgo is celebrated for his contribution to children’s literature and for his work setting up Farms for City Children. “Dame Clare Tickell DBE has made a significant contribution to our understanding of early childhood, particularly through her work as Chief Executive of Action for Children and her invaluable review of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. “Closer to home, Karen Lowthrop has made both a national and a local contribution to education in its broadest sense through her pioneering work at Hill Holt Wood. “These are all people whose careers have exemplified a real commitment to education for all ages and we will be proud to share another special day for Bishop Grosseteste University with them later this month.” Members of the media are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend please contact Jez Ashberry at Shooting Star PR on 01522 528540 or 07780 735071 or email jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk. -
Shortage of RE Teachers Becoming Acute, Says BGU Expert
Easter is approaching but children's religious education is being damaged by an acute shortage of qualified RE teachers, according to a leading figure in Lincolnshire education. An increasing numbers of British children do not recognise stories such as the Nativity, the Crucifixion and Adam and Eve as coming from the Bible. Nigel Appleton, Dean of Teacher Development at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, says RE is an important subject which is being neglected because of a lack of teachers training in the subject. More than half of RE lessons in Lincolnshire's secondary schools are taught by non-specialists while over half of primary teachers don't feel confident teaching RE. "RE is a subject which is central to the school curriculum but it sometimes doesn't get the attention it deserves," he said. "Bishop Grosseteste University has been granted some additional PGCE secondary RE training places for 2014-15 in recognition of our track record of supporting RE in schools, and a few of these additional places are still available." "We also ensure our primary trainees are prepared to teach RE and have an opportunity to train to lead the subject in their primary schools. Recruitment is also still open for the primary PGCE." The growing crisis in RE teaching has coincided with new research which shows that UK children are unfamiliar with stories from the Bible. A survey for the Bible Society published in February found almost three in 10 young people were unaware that the story of the birth of Jesus came from the Bible. A similar number of children had never read or heard about tales of the Crucifixion or Adam and Eve. The report was based on a poll of 800 children aged eight to 15. Gillian Georgiou, Diocesan RE Adviser at the Diocese of Lincoln, said the problem is becoming acute for all schools. "It's certainly difficult for schools to find specialists with an RE degree," she said. "More than half of RE teaching in the UK is done by teachers who are not RE specialists, so we can assume that the situation in Lincolnshire is similar." "A quarter of primary teachers receive no training in RE at all and almost half receive less than three hours in their entire training programme. Most of the primary teachers I talk to are not confident about teaching the subject." A recent report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education, entitled RE: The Truth Unmasked, found: in over half of the 300 participating primary schools some or all pupils were taught RE by someone other than their class teacher in a quarter of these schools RE was taught by teaching assistants - a finding the report found "unacceptable" about half of primary teachers and trainee teachers lack confidence in teaching RE there is a wide variation in the extent of initial teacher training in RE and too many trainee teachers have little effective preparation for teaching the subject over half of RE teachers in secondary schools have no qualification or appropriate expertise in the subject - a finding which the report again found "unacceptable" Gillian Georgiou added that RE should be more highly valued by people thinking of training for a teaching career. "It's a subject that touches on the majority of different areas of human experience. It's highly valued by parents, universities and head teachers and it's essential in helping children to engage with the community locally, nationally and globally," she said. To find out more about primary and secondary PGCE RE training at Bishop Grosseteste University call 01522 527347 or visit our PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary pages.
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