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Students Cover BGU in Natural Artwork
Visitors to Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) may have seen some interesting stone circles and leaf collages around campus this week. -
BGU Lecturer Leading Innovation in Health & Social Care
During the Summer Nicki Walsh, Programme Leader for Health & Social Care at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), presented at a number of international conferences showcasing the work being undertaken in Lincolnshire to support improvements in General Practice. Changing health and social needs, due in part to longer lifespans and rapidly ageing populations around the world, mean that many causes of ill health are chronic and more complex due to comorbidities (e.g. Diabetes, respiratory disease). This therefore requires the providers of Health and Social care to respond in a dynamic, flexible and sustainable way to these pressures and challenges. While adapting, the focus of practitioners must be on the delivery of safe, effective and appropriate care. General Practice (in the UK) is well placed to respond to these pressures (NHS England 2013 and NHS England 2015). At the heart of this response is the General Practice Nurse (GPN) however workforce demographics and years of underinvestment in the workforce will see the number of skilled nurses needed reduce considerably in the next 10 years (QNI, 2015), causing what can be termed a “knowledge haemorrhage”, where practice experience and intuitive practice are lost. Therefore, investment in pre-registration and post registration professional education along with creative solutions which respond to this knowledge loss are needed (Walsh, 2017). This is particularly true of recruitment and retention both of which are key to ensuring that provision is fit for purpose. In August, Nicki presented at the 2nd International Conference on Nursing Science & Practice (United Scientific Group) in London. Her paper looked at a number of interventions and activities which are occurring locally to support the GPN agenda. This included the work with Lincs West CCG, which sees a monthly GPN Educational Forum held at BGU. It also looked at the data from the evaluation of a project with the University of Lincoln, which explored getting newly qualified nurses into General Practice. In addition Nicki presented her preliminary findings from her PhD, which is using a diabetes lens to look at the value and effectiveness of continuing professional development (CPD) for GPNs. At the beginning of September Nicki was in Cambridge presenting at the 29th International Networking for Education in Healthcare Conference (Advance HE). Delivering her preliminary findings of her PhD to an audience of peers she was well received and was able to establish some important networking opportunities. Finally, at the end of September a Nicki’s collaborative work with Rachel Mason (from the University of Lincoln) was presented at the Queen’s Nursing Institute Conference at the Royal College of GPs. This showcased work which saw undergraduate student nurses undertake their final management placement within General Practice. This was again well received and work is currently being carried out to prepare a case study for the Atlas of Shared Learning at the request of NHS England, which is designed to showcase examples of good practice designed to lead change across the NHS. All of this work leads to the new BGU Master's Programme for Primary and Community Care which will see BGU enter the evolving field of Practitioner education with a focus on Advance Practice. You can find out more information on this course along with all the Health & Social Care opportunities at BGU by visiting our website or contacting our Enquiries Team. -
Future Art Teachers Unearth Historic Gems
PGCE Secondary Art and Design trainees from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) spent a day in Yorkshire visiting The National Arts Education Archive, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Wakefield. There were many highlights for the students to enjoy but perhaps the most revealing came during an exploration of the archives with the arts educator Tony Chisholm. Tony introduced the group to examples of pupils’ art works dating from the 1940s to recent times and unpacked exciting and thought provoking examples of artworks created by secondary school children in particular. The quality and scope of the art was certainly an eye opener for the PGCE students and provided plenty of food for thought for their future careers. The remaining part of the day included an exploration of the current exhibitions at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth including Giuseppe Penone and Lee Miller. Field trips to these sites are an annual event on the programme which have also included trips to Tate Modern and the Courtauld Institute of Art in previous years. BGU have been training high quality teachers for over 150 years so when it comes to education there is nowhere better to study. You can find more information on the wide range of innovative PGCE courses offered by BGU on our website. Or contact our Enquiries Team to find out how to begin your journey into teaching. -
BGU Officially Welcome New Students at Annual Matriculation Ceremony
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) formally welcomed nearly 600 students at the annual Matriculation Ceremony on Tuesday 9 October. Now in its fourth year the welcoming ceremony has become an established and popular part of the academic calendar. All newly enrolled students are invited to the ceremony, held in the grand surroundings of Lincoln Cathedral, which gives both undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to meet University staff and each other. This year’s ceremony began at 3pm with a procession of over 100 BGU members of staff before the new students were officially welcomed to the University by the University’s Chancellor, Dame Judith Jonas-Mayhew, the Vice-Chancellor, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, the President of the Students’ Union, Craig Ferguson and the The Dean of Lincoln, The Very Revd Christine Wilson. As a symbol of their belonging in BGU, all students were given a specially designed gold badge. The Vice-Chancellor explained why the event has become such an important part of the student journey at BGU: “The Matriculation Ceremony marks our students’ formal entry into the University. In addition to offering a friendly welcome to all those who are starting their studies here this year, it ensures they know they are now part of the BGU and academic community, of which every student is an integral member. It is emphasised that we are all there to guide and support the students throughout their time with us.” The ceremony closed with a performance from the BGU choir followed by speeches from Samuel Wernham, second year Drama student, and Emma Stanbridge, BGU graduate and MA English Literature student. New undergraduate students Amelia Revill, Education Studies and English, Charlotte Jezard, Education Studies, and Francesca Baugh, Primary Education with QTS, described after the ceremony how, thanks to the event, BGU was already feeling like home: “This afternoon has been really welcoming and enjoyable. It’s really nice to see all the students and academics coming together to meet each other, we’ve enjoyed our time at BGU so far but this has definitely made us all feel even more at home here” If you would like to become a part of the BGU community visit our website to find out about all the exciting courses available to you or contact our Enquiries Team today. You can watch this year’s ceremony and find a photo album on our Facebook page. -
BGU to Sponsor Kuwaiti Academic
The School of Teacher Development at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is sponsoring an academic from the National University of Kuwait to help them undertake a trip to the United Kingdom. Dr Suaad Alshebou, a former doctoral student of BGU’s Professor Chris Atkin, will be visiting Lincoln to engage with the academic life at BGU. As part of her visit Suaad will be giving a public lecture at BGU on ‘Non-traditional students in traditional universities: motives and barriers of female adult learners in Kuwait’ Through her work at the College of Basic Education, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training Associate Professor Dr Alshebou conducts research in Higher Education, Comparative Education and Adult Education. Her current project is 'Non-traditional learners in traditional colleges. A feminist perspective’. Professor Atkin described his excitement at the fresh perspectives Dr Alshebou’s visit would offer: “It’s a real honour to be hosting Dr Alshebou during her time in the UK and I look forward to her contribution to academic life at BGU The public lecture being hosted by BGU on the 6th December will provide an opportunity to learn something of the challenges and rewards faced by non-traditional Kuwaiti adult women learners engaging with traditional universities. Dr Alshebou will be in the UK for the remainder of this academic year and will bring a valuable comparative perspective to academic life at BGU.” Dr Alshebou’s lecture will take place on Thursday 6 December at 2:00pm in CSH 02 on the BGU campus and will be introduced by the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of BGU, in his capacity as Chair of the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL). It is open to all current and former BGU staff and students as well as members of the public. For further details please contact Professor Chris Atkin via chris.atkin@bishopg.ac.uk BGU regularly to play host to visiting speakers from around the world providing students, staff and visitors with unique learning opportunities. To find out how you can experience these visit our website. -
Students Craft Tall Tales and Wondrous Environments to Create a Unique Learning Opportunity
Last week first year BA Primary Education with QTS students at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) offered a unique educational experience, including the creation of wondrous learning environments, to 100 local school children. The day-long event formed part of a larger Story Telling Project being undertaken by the BGU students. Each had previously been paired with a local primary school pupil for whom they wrote a short monster story. These stories then formed the foundation of the day’s activities. The morning saw the BGU students taking the pupils to Lincoln Cathedral where they aided them in becoming “Monster Detectives”, searching for the famous Lincoln Imp across the Cathedral. They then moved to BGU where the students had created a fantastic world of colourful and imaginative learning spaces for the pupils. Each of the learning environments offered a space for the students to share their monster stories and guide the children through innovative learning activities they had planned. The creation of these spaces, along with the rest of the Story Telling Project, is designed to craft the students’ teaching skills helping them learn how to organise activities that engage with and motivate children. For this reason, as Emma Rogers (Senior Lecturer in Primary at BGU) explains, the Project is an important part of the BA Primary course: “This project marks their first steps to becoming teachers. Through it they’re able to gain experience of both the logistics of running learning activities for children as well as the human skills required. Because their stories and environments are based on the specific children they’ve been paired with they gain experience building relationships with their pupils and crafting their efforts to get the best out them.” Molly Harrison, one of the BA Primary Ed with QTS students involved, was full of praise for what the Project offered her and her course mates: “The project is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to read the responses of pupils to the activities we’re setting for them. Every child is different, what this project is teaching us is how to adapt our efforts to support a variety of pupils to ensure they get the most out of education.” For Andy Dickinson, also a Senior Lecturer in Primary at BGU, the Project is not just a vital learning opportunity for trainee teachers but also an invaluable experience for the pupils it supports: “The Story Telling Project is a chance to work 1:1 with pupils, learning how to engage with and inspire them. Story telling is such an incredibly important tool to help children learn. For some of these children, the books our students have created might be the only ones they ever get so this project is vital.” The Story Telling Project is just one of an array of innovative learning activities carried out by the School of Teacher Development at BGU. If you’d like more information on how to begin your adventure in the world of Primary Education, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team today. -
Local Heritage Sites in Line for Sandford Award
Lincolnshire’s International Bomber Command Centre and Belton House are among 49 heritage sites across the British Isles set to receive the prestigious Sandford Award. -
From unemployment to full time study at BGU
How the MOVE project helped one woman achieve her goals. The MOVE project is an ESF and Big Lottery funded project and Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is one of 24 partners across Lincolnshire. The project aims to work with people who have been out of work for a long time or who are economically inactive. The project began in 2016 and the first participant was Mandy. Mandy came to the project after many years of unemployment and ill health; she had ideas about what she wanted for her future but no idea about how to get there or if she could. Mandy’s background had involved a difficult childhood and involvement in drug misuse. When she came on to the project she was very anxious and a little bit afraid of what would happen next. Thankfully, she was able to put her trust in the team at BG Futures and with their ongoing support and structured inputs, she was able to make progress. These inputs included in-depth careers advice and guidance to help explore and develop career aims, psychometric tests to identify work strengths and abilities, life coaching to deal with social anxiety and ongoing regular support. They were also able to find her a suitable volunteering placement with Addaction and Mandy has been volunteering with the Amy Winehouse Foundation for 18 months. This involves going into secondary school in Lincolnshire to help educate young people about drugs and their effects. Through her time on the MOVE project Mandy has added to her qualifications and studied an Access course at Lincoln College, ultimately applying to BGU and securing a place to study for a degree in Health and Social Care. A year and 10 months after starting her MOVE journey, in September 2018, Mandy enrolled at BGU. She is now well into her first year, enjoying the course and even the challenge of assignments. Not all MOVE participants end up in Higher Education. The point of the project is to help people to identify and achieve their goals towards employment and learning through a tailored one: one approach that helps with self-confidence, motivation and wellbeing alongside employability skills and goal setting. Seeking support from MOVE is voluntary and therefore will not impact any benefit claim and there is also the opportunity for financial help to cover expenses including child care, respite care and travel. If you want to find out more for yourself or for someone you know: contact the MOVE team on 01522 583900 or email moveproject@bishopg.ac.uk -
Local school children help BGU students to widen their professional skills
On Monday 5th and Monday 12th November Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) invited 80 children from local schools to take part in educational research with second year students on the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course. The sessions were designed to provide the students, who are studying to become primary teachers, with an opportunity to experience the skills required to become educational researchers. Working in groups, under the supervision of a tutor, the students designed and conducted research on topics focused on the school pupils including: Reading choices Philosophy for children Using apps to support enquiry Mathematics through story Mapping stories Reading for pleasure and digital reading Dr Ashley Compton, Senior Lecturer in the School of Teacher Development at BGU, explained the benefits students could expect from gaining skills in educational research: “In order to understand and evaluate the latest innovations in education it is important that teachers are able to engage with research. In their second year we get the students to work together in groups, under the supervision of a tutor, to design and conduct research with children. "This experience allows students to develop a better understanding of how research does (and doesn't!) work and prepares them for their individual research projects in their final year. "The children, covering Year 1 through Year 6, were fantastic, participating fully in each of the research topics and giving our students valuable insights into the research process.” The Primary Education courses at BGU regularly interacts with schools around the local community to provide our students with a varied and engaging educational experience. If you want to pursue a future in teaching visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information on how to begin your career on our exciting Primary Education with QTS degree course. -
Applications Open for 2019 Sandford Awards
Applications for the 2019 Sandford Awards, which recognise high quality heritage education provision, are now open. The awards are administered by Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) in partnership with the Heritage Education Trust and over 500 sites, including historic houses, museums, galleries and collections, places of worship, gardens and parks have received an award over the last 40 years. Recent winners include Lincolnshire’s own International Bomber Command Centre and Belton House. The award is non-competitive, offers an independently judged, quality assured assessment and is granted for a five year period. Applications are welcome from sites small and large and run by national institutions, local authorities, volunteers and private owners. What are the benefits for entrants? A kite mark for high quality learning provision The opportunity to use your award to attract increased school visits and new audiences A detailed consultancy report as part of the expert judging process which you can use to effect positive change in your organisation The opportunity to attend a presentation ceremony National recognition among the heritage sector of the personal contribution of you and your staff/volunteers which will help to motivate the whole site to develop its good practice further What our 2018 award winners have to say “It helped raise the profile of our site and also encouraged our Trustees.” “The judge’s report was very useful, led to further training and made a significant difference to the quality of delivery.” “It allowed great team morale and great to support drives for funding.” “The scope of the judgement across the six criteria was very useful, focusing on the entirety of our service.” “A really useful external eye on what we do made us feel good about our successes as well as suggesting improvements.” Find out more The Sandford website provides further information including details of the Sandford Award criteria and judging process. You can also find a series of short films featuring our expert judges and some of our award-winning sites with top tips and advice that relates to the Sandford Award criteria. What does it cost to apply? The application fee is £350 per site. If your organisation manages more than one site, you should submit a separate application for each. How do I apply? To register an interest in the 2019 Sandford Awards please contact sandford@bishopg.ac.uk and we will send you the application form and judging information. Alternatively, you can download the entry form from our website. Deadline for entries is 15 February 2019 The Sandford Cascade Project- supporting museums and heritage sites in the East Midlands The Heritage Lottery funded Sandford Cascade project supports sites in the East Midlands to develop their heritage learning offer and apply for the Sandford Award. Benefits for members include a programme of visits to learn from Sandford Award winning sites, £1,000 bursary to enhance your learning provision, opportunities to attend skill sharing workshops, valuable networking opportunities with other museums and heritage sites and access to online resources. To find out more and to register an interest visit the Cascade project site.
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