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Sean Ingoldsby
Sean Ingoldsby has extensive experience of teaching in early years and primary school settings, and in tertiary education both in the UK and overseas. Over the course of his career, he has taken on a wide range of coordination and leadership roles including early years coordinator and primary SENCO positions and more recently, on a variety of undergraduate teacher training programmes specialising in, Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology and TESOL, each of which is leveraged in his teaching on the BA Education Studies programme. Sean currently leads modules on inclusion and diversity, the impact of context in the learning process, and of diverse perspectives on education on both national and global policy and practice, and educational research. His research interests include the impact of context on learning, embodied cognition and educational technology. -
Expert shares insights on equality in education at BGU
The lecture will take place on Monday 6th February as part of BGU’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Week. Titled ‘Learning lessons from Section 28: Why no one should have to pretend at school’, the talk aims to equip some of Lincolnshire’s trainee teachers with skills and knowledge to support diverse classrooms. Professor Lee - who teaches at Anglia Ruskin University - was awarded an MBE for services to equality in education in King Charles’ first New Year Honours List. Her new book ‘Pretended: Schools and Section 28’ was released in February 2023 and recounts her experience as an educator under the legislation. She also recently acted as a consultant on BAFTA-nominated movie Blue Jean, with the plot focused on a teacher’s inability to be her authentic self at work. Her talk to the university will provide valuable insights into issues of equality in education in the UK. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the history of LGBT+ rights, as well as engage in a thought-provoking discussion about contemporary struggles for equality in classrooms. Professor Lee said: “I’m really excited to talk to trainee teachers at BGU, especially during LGBT History Month. Section 28 prevented me being an authentic role model to young people when I was a teacher and so I’m delighted to be able to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ inclusion in my work with the next generation of teachers. “Young people in our schools deserve to be supported by teachers who put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of their work, and so it’s fantastic that BGU a have put together such a comprehensive and exciting programme for their trainee teachers.” Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion week at Bishop Grosseteste University is an annual event aimed at raising awareness and promoting understanding of the importance of equal rights and opportunities in education. Trainee teachers will attend various lectures, seminars, and reflective workshops to enhance their knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusive teaching practices, to meet the needs of all pupils. Bishop Grosseteste University Senior Lecturer and EDI Week Lead Dr Lyndsay Muir said: “It's a privilege to have Catherine inspire our trainees to develop their understanding of inclusive and adaptive teaching to meet the needs of all their current and future pupils. “We know from our research that this week enables a significant improvement in our trainees' confidence in tailoring teaching to remove barriers so that all pupils can reach their full potential.” -
Students and staff celebrate Chinese New Year
Bishop Grosseteste University’s TESOL team welcomed in Chinese New Year with a celebration event on campus. The event was to provide an opportunity for the Bishop Grosseteste community to learn about Chinese culture and celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. All students and staff were invited to take part in the festivities, which were led by staff members and postgraduate students. Everyone attending was able to learn about the history and traditions of Chinese New Year, try their hand at speaking Mandarin, practice traditional calligraphy and create their own Chinese New Year couplets. In addition to learning about the culture, attendees were also able to get creative with paper cutting, creating their own Chinese New Year decorations. They also had the chance to learn how to make traditional Chinese dumplings, which were enjoyed by all. This successful celebration of Chinese New Year at Bishop Grosseteste University showcased the importance of cultural exploration and exchange. The staff and students who attended all appreciated the opportunity to come together and learn something new - what a great start to the Year of the Rabbit! -
My Roman Adventure
Student Voices - Blog Post -
BGU lecturer explores The Ruskin Speech in new research article
A publication written by James Silverwood, Senior Lecturer in Business at BGU, and his co-author, Peter Wolstencroft of Liverpool John Moores University is now free to read on the website of the British Educational Research Journal. The journal article ‘The Ruskin Speech and Great Debate in English Education, 1976-1979: A study of motivation’ reignites debate about the intentions behind the intervention into educational by James Callaghan and his Labour government starting with the Prime Minister’s speech at Ruskin College, Oxford in October 1976. There is good reason why Callaghan’s speech remains lodged within the popular consciousness amongst educationalists, it been possible to trace forward integral aspects of the speech into controversial elements of education in England in the present day. Foremost among them been the concentration of regulatory power within a national body, Ofsted, the centrality of a national curriculum within educational provision, and the firmly link education with the delivery of employability. Consequently, the Ruskin speech is often conceptualized as a ‘turning point’ within English education leading inexorably towards the modern English educational system. As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of Callaghan’s Ruskin speech in 2026, it was time to engage in retrospective, something James and Peter’s paper achieves by critically inspecting the speech in the context in which it was delivered, rather than with the benefit of hindsight of knowing the subsequent trajectory of the English educational system. Conducting documentary analysis of archival material held in the National Archives, Kew Gardens, the authors conclude that the motivation for Callaghan’s speech at Ruskin College was to support the ideals of the comprehensive educational system, rather than institute widespread educational reform. This is in contrast to the common understanding of the Ruskin speech within English educational history as delineated above. Dr James Silverwood Speaking about his research, James Silverwood, said: “There is no doubt that the Ruskin speech is a seismic event in the history of education in England, but perhaps not for the reasons currently considered. “We found no evidence in the archives to suggest that the motivation of Callaghan and his Labour government was to implement widespread educational reform. Much the opposite, evidence suggested they were motivated to support and defend the comprehensive educational system from attack by political opponents who would seek to reform it. Where subsequent governments have referred back to the Ruskin speech as justification for educational transformation away from comprehensive ideals it to imbue the Ruskin speech with motivations that were not shared by Callaghan and his Labour government.” You can read the journal article here. -
Archaeology equipment
Following a grant of more than £427,000 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Bishop Grosseteste University was able to significantly enhance the facilities and research capabilities of the archaeology department. Funds were invested in state-of-the-art equipment, which will benefit the wider community of archaeology and history groups, who are welcome to contact the department and arrange use of this sophisticated equipment for their own projects. -
Bishop Grosseteste University Appoints Interim Vice-Chancellor
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has announced the appointment of Professor Karen Stanton as the Interim Vice-Chancellor, effective from August 1st, 2023. According to the University, Professor Stanton is an accomplished Vice-Chancellor with a comprehensive background of leading transformational change within Higher Education, having previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Solent University and Vice-Chancellor at York St John University. Her professional journey also includes the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as significant positions at King's College London, the universities of Nottingham, Birmingham, and Sheffield Hallam. Professor Stanton said: “I am delighted to be joining the University. BGU is a remarkable institution with a rich heritage of educational excellence and inclusion. “I look forward to working together with its dedicated staff, students and the Council to lead BGU through the next phase of its proud history." A core focus for Professor Stanton throughout her career has been widening access to education and the social purpose and impact of universities. Her one-year appointment as Interim Vice-Chancellor is expected to provide a solid foundation for BGU's future development and growthProfessor Karen Stanton . -
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.” -
BGU announces honorary award recipients for 2023
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has announced the recipients of its Honorary Awards, which will be presented at upcoming graduation ceremonies in late July 2023. Five awardees are set to receive Honorary Doctorates for their outstanding contributions to academic achievement, social, economic or cultural life. Two Distinguished Honorary Fellowships will be awarded to individuals for exceptional contributions to the University and public life locally or regionally. Among the Honorary Doctorate awardees are husband and wife, Claire and James Birch, whose fundraising efforts have supported several local projects, including the reinvigoration of Doddington Hall. Charles Cormack, another recipient of an Honorary Doctorate, is recognised as a leader in international higher education. As the founder of the Ukraine Twinning initiative, his work paired UK and other international universities with Ukrainian universities to provide support and resources. Dame Judith Mayhew-Jonas DBE will also receive an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her exceptional contributions over the course of her career, including as Dame Commander of the British Empire, Chairman of the Royal Opera House, Commissioner of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Chancellor of BGU. Another recipient of the Honorary Doctorate is best-selling female historian Alison Weir acclaimed for her extensive body of work, including 21 history books and 14 historical novels, which have collectively sold three million copies worldwide. Receiving a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship is Hannah Spencer, Managing Director of LAGAT College and Trustee and Vice Chair of the Lincolnshire Employment Accommodation Project (LEAP), which aims to tackle the issue of homelessness. Her work has so far helped over 1,500 individuals and families find stable housing and employment. John O'Donoghue, a member of Lincoln BIG, will also receive a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship. His dedication to providing career opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Lincoln through his businesses has made a significant impact in the local area. He also acts as an external trustee for Bishop Grosseteste Students’ Union. Bishop Grosseteste University Vice-Chancellor, The Rev’d 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.” The awards will be presented during graduation celebrations at Lincoln’s Cathedral. Awardees were nominated by students, retired staff, alumni, and current or former University Council members. More information about each recipient can be found here. -
PhD student graduates after a decade at university
A local man has graduated with a Doctorate after a decade-long academic journey at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). Following his graduation, Lincoln-born Adam Foxon has secured the position of Senior Lecturer at BGU. In 2013, Adam enrolled at Bishop Grosseteste University through clearing, after a disheartening start at another institution which resulted in him dropping out. He said: “I was sat in my bedroom feeling sorry for myself when my brother walked in, threw a BGU prospectus at me, and told me I needed to go back to University.” After completing his BA(Hons) Theology and History degree, a Master’s felt like the natural next step for Adam. He completed his Master’s with a Distinction, and soon applied for a PhD studentship researching Robert Grosseteste, the University’s namesake. Adam said: "To complete my PhD thesis, I had to brush up on my Latin. Having grown up on a council estate, it's not exactly something that I'd dabbled in before!” During his four years of PhD study, Adam acted as a visiting lecturer and completed a PGDE to enhance his teaching skills. After ten years of study at BGU, Adam has now secured a position as Senior Lecturer at BGU. Adam recalls the first day of his undergraduate degree. His lecturer, future PhD supervisor and line manager, Dr Jack Cunningham, asked all the students what their ambitions were. Adam shared that he wanted to achieve his PhD and teach theology. Reflecting on this, Adam said: “I've recently realised I have achieved everything I set out to achieve.” Dr Cunningham said: “Adam came to us as a student 10 years ago and I realised very quickly that he had enormous potential. He did extremely well on his MA and his PhD thesis made a very important contribution to our understanding of the thinking of Robert Grosseteste. “It was a highlight of my career to watch Adam grow to be what he is today, a fine academic.” Looking to the future, Adam said: "I can’t promise my PhD graduation will be my last one - I’m considering doing another Master’s. I just love learning and I also enjoy being able to swoop around the Cathedral in my robes! “I've seen people come and go over the last ten years, but BGU has always remained a wonderful place to study. Without the University, I wouldn't be Dr Foxon.” Adam graduated on Thursday 27th July at a ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral and will commence his teaching role at the University from August.
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