Search results
-
Love Letter to BGU
Bishop Grosseteste University recently held a creative writing competition, asking members of the BGU community to write a love letter to the University. The competition marked the end of a year of celebrations for the University's 160th birthday. Some of the entries received offered words of affection directly to the university in the form of a traditional poem, some mapped the poet's journey through their BGU experience, and some took a more comical, freeform approach. But all were insightful, personal accounts of their relationship with the university. But there could only be one winner, and that was Lucetta Crosskill, whose work was commended for its nostalgic recollection of the poet's experience at BGU. The poem captures the emotions and challenges of starting a new chapter in life, and the sense of belonging that comes from finding a welcoming community. It was found to be a heartwarming reflection on the transformative power of education and the impact of a supportive community. The winner received a special valentines day gift as a prize. A book containing all the submissions has been created and placed in the University archives and a copy has been sent to those who entered. Read Lucetta's poem below. Dear BGU, The letter read ‘you are invited to an interview’ Excited, nervous, apprehensive…my feelings – just a few. On entering the Maths department, the welcome, and the smiles. Out of the Uni’s, I had visited, this was the best by miles. ‘I did it!’ When I received the letter, I had got a place. Surprise, amazement and ‘oh my goodness’ overcame my face. It was a Sunday, in September, back in 1999, I arrived at BG with my bags, looking for my room sign. Unpacking my bags, in my lonely, bare room, I thought what have I done? Living with a load of strangers, would it be awful or fun? As I got used to my surroundings and found my way around, The historic BG buildings, and new friends, I excitedly found. The hard work very quickly started, but I knew it was for me, The library, the learning, the lectures… I loved everything at BG. Early morning teaching practice very soon started. Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Mansfield, Lincoln… 6.45am we departed. In my time within these schools, so much that I did learn, My very own class, my end goal…was what I did yearn. My mentors - they were the very best…Mrs Morley and Miss Emery too. Lifelong friends I have gained and into the role of the teacher I grew. Lincoln became my second home, in halls and houses I resided. But often jumping on the train to visit home, I decided. A new tradition in my life, the Market each December, And now I take my children there and share things I remember. As I wore my gown and mortarboard in 2003, I knew that in my heart one day, back at BG I’d be. It wasn’t long before I decided to do another degree. There was only one place, to do my MA…back at BG. Whilst teaching full-time, it was September in 2005, Excitedly, I prepared myself and at BG I did arrive. A challenge, but at home and school I was very well supported. I knew the hard work would be worth it and I’d be rewarded. Without a shadow of a doubt, completing my Masters at BG, Was, within my teaching and learning career, one of the proudest moments for me. So thank you BG to you all, in my life you have played a huge part. Memories, learning, staff, and my friends - you are always in my heart. -
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. -
BGU Partnerships
BGU collaborates with a range of different type of partners organisations in a variety of ways. -
Flywire
Flywire offers convenient payment options from over 240 countries and territories, in more than 150 currencies. -
BGU alum Pete Wharmby launches new book on life with autism
Former Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) student, Pete Wharmby, has published his second book, "Untypical: How the World Isn't Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About It". The speaker and writer explores the topic of autism and the autistic experience. His work seeks to elevate the public's awareness of autism and highlight the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals in a world that does not always accommodate their needs. At the age of 14, Pete moved to Lincolnshire with his family. After completing his teacher training in English and Drama at BGU in 2008, he spent the next 13 years teaching, including at schools around Lincolnshire. It wasn't until 2017 that he received his autism diagnosis, which came as a turning point in his life. According to Pete, his diagnosis allowed him to finally understand why he had always felt different. He said: "It was a profound sense of relief to have my diagnosis confirmed. All the miscommunications and hyper fixations I'd had started to make sense. "I also realised that I had been able to connect so well with the autistic students I had taught because we had the same type of brain. I continued to teach with a renewed determination to create safe and welcoming spaces for my students, particularly those with autism." With a newfound understanding of his condition, he began to explore and share his experiences, which culminated in his first book, "What I Want to Talk About: How Autistic Special Interests Shape a Life" in 2022. The inaugural publication takes readers on a journey through his special interests, illuminating the challenges of autistic experience along the way. According to Pete, there's a significant lack of knowledge surrounding autism, and even well-meaning people can make common mistakes around communicating with autistic people. His second book, Untypical, seeks to shine a light on the condition for non-autistic people, offering suggestions of how people can better support the individuals in their life with autism. Preferring to offer a "warts-and-all" portrayal of autism, Pete promotes an authentic representation of what it is like to live with the condition, although he acknowledges that every autistic person will have different experiences. He aims to dispel myths and misconceptions and inspire open discussion around neurodiversity. Pete said: "It's actually quite handy being known as an autistic person, because I don't have to mask when I first meet people. "I did one public talk where I had an autistic meltdown just before I was due to speak. I could've cancelled it at the last minute, but instead I took it as an opportunity to share the experience with the audience; to speak about what had happened and the emotions I was experiencing." Pete regularly speaks at conferences and events, often as the keynote speaker, on topics such as autism in education, the experience of autistic students and teachers, the importance of monotropism and special interests and much more. Learn more about Pete and his work here. -
Students Vote BGU Most Supportive University In The UK
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is a double award winner at the prestigious Whatuni Student Choice Awards, having beaten all other UK universities to take the top prize in the Student Support and Halls & Student Accommodation categories. The prestigious Whatuni Student Choice Awards are nominated and judged by students from across the UK. Comedian and actor Ellie Taylor hosted this year's awards ceremony, where BGU scooped two of the twelve prizes on offer, and finished third in a further category - Career Prospects. The Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University, said: "I am thrilled and immensely proud that BGU has been awarded not one, but two prestigious awards at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards. To receive this recognition, voted for by the very students we care for and support every day, is an incredible honour. "At BGU, we strive to provide our students with the highest level of education possible, but equally important is our commitment to creating an environment that is supportive, inclusive, and caring. Our university community is passionate about empowering and nurturing our students so that they can reach their full potential and achieve their goals. "Winning these awards is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and students, who work tirelessly to ensure that this university is an exceptional place to learn and grow. Simon Emmett, CEO at IDP Connect, said: "The Whatuni awards celebrate creativity, resilience and innovation within higher education. "With the continuing cost-of-living challenges, we're proud to focus on all the good universities do and celebrate their successes. "This year's scores are significantly higher than previous years, highlighting the excellent work done across the sector. These awards showcase the quality of higher education in the UK and its creativity, resilience and innovation." Camilla King, Director of Client Partnerships at IDP Connect, added: "We know that no one is better placed to judge universities than their students. Therefore, we will continue to ensure that the student voice is always heard when it comes to students making their university choices. "After a challenging couple of years, it's important to recognise the universities going above and beyond to support students and give them the best university experiences possible. The institutions recognised have successfully adapted, created and implemented fantastic initiatives to support and engage students, which our awards are thrilled to celebrate." -
Graduate stories
https://www.bgu.ac.uk/student/careers-employability-and-enterprise/graduate-stories -
Teaching Internationally student reflects on time at BGU
In her last week of study in the UK, Marie Janke looked back at her term at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and reflected on what she's learnt from the experience. Marie came to Lincoln in January 2023 from Germany, ready to study at BGU. The University welcomed Marie as the institution's first participant in Teaching Internationally, a project aiming to promote and expand the international mobility of student teachers. Marie started her studies in Teaching English and Fine Art at University of Greifswald in the north of her home country. Currently in her third year, Marie will study for a total of six and a half years before qualifying as a teacher. Marie said: "As part of my training, I have to spend time training in a country with English as its first language. I'd already completed a gap year in Australia so I was used to being away from home. "I want as much experience as possible before starting my teaching career, and it was really interesting to train at BGU and understand how different countries approach teaching differently, both in terms of what I was being taught and how I was being taught. "Moving to a university with an established infrastructure made the transition pretty easy. The accommodation is on campus and there's lots of support and help if you need it. The course structure and daily routine at BGU was completely different to what I was used to, but I adjusted to the new system with the support of my tutors. I made use of CELT and Student Advice, which were great resources available to students, and also enjoyed some trips away from Lincoln with the Chaplaincy team." BGU Programme Leader Initial Teacher Education- Further Education Stefan Fusenich said: "It was great to have Marie within the group to share her experiences of a different educational system with the other students." With BGU's support, Marie also completed a placement at Lincoln College. "We don't have colleges like that in Germany, so it was a brand new and enlightening experience for me," Marie said. "I got to observe arts classes as well as TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) sessions, which were relevant to my future career and informative." "BGU's campus is compact and simple to navigate - everything already feels familiar, even only being here a short while. Lincoln is a lot bigger than I thought but easy to travel around, and it's been nice to explore the city." Marie has enjoyed getting to know the quirks of British culture. She said: "I've enjoyed my fair share of afternoon teas. I was also amazed to find how much people love meal deals here!" For those who are considering studying in the UK during their degree, Marie offers this advice: "I didn't know what to expect from this experience, but I've taken so much away from it. "It's always worth it to make the leap."To explore pathways into teaching, click here. Click here to learn more about international study at BGU. Stefan Fusenich and Marie Janke on campus -
MA student receives inaugural Prue Goodwin Award
The inaugural Prue Goodwin award has been presented to MA student Alisha Gibbs for an outstanding result for her final dissertation. Alisha has been studying the Children’s Literature and Literacies MA on a full time basis, and handed in her dissertation this year. Titled: "An exploration of children's reading choices: Considerations that impact on what children choose to read and why", the thesis pulls together a range of key topics and issues in children’s literature including: commercialism, adaptation and materiality to explore the reasons why children choose certain books. Alisha said: "I learnt so much during my process, especially the most effective ways of writing a Master's dissertation. At times it felt like the work would never end, especially when I was juggling a job at the same time, but it's been an exciting journey. During the process of creating her final project, Alisha found a method that proved most productive for her. She said: "I have a fairly long commute, and I would spend the time in the car thinking of ideas. I'd have to phone someone else to write them down because I was driving. "When it came time to really focus and turn my studying into a piece of writing, I took the advice of my dissertation supervisor, Dr Amy Webster, and planned a 'writing retreat' which was a great way to stay productive. "I found out I'd won the award while I was at my teaching job. It was a lovely moment to share the news with my students and celebrate their own contribution to the award. They wanted to do it all over again!" Her award was presented at an end of year celebration for BGU's Primary Education students. Alisha had studied a BA in Primary Education with QTS before starting her Master's, so the presentation demonstrated to the third years the benefits of postgraduate study. At the event, Alisha said: "I really didn't expect to win but it's amazing to have my hard work recognised like this. I'll definitely be celebrating tonight!" 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. In reflection of Prue’s contribution to the fields of literacy and children’s literature as well her support of related studies at BGU, the Prue Goodwin Award is given annually to the student who achieves the highest mark in the dissertation module on the MA Children’s Literature and Literacies. Alisha's dissertation is also set to be shared with Prue, who is keen to read the work of the award's first recipient.Senior Lecturer in Education Studies and Alisha's dissertation supervisor Dr Amy Webster said: "We are really proud to present this award to Alisha. As the recipient of this award, she will receive the offer to collaborate with a member of staff from the programme to develop an academic article based on their thesis to support her development as a scholar and practitioner of children’s literature and literacies. "Alisha’s thesis was an empirical research project that creatively drew together a range of key topics and issues in children’s literature including commercialism, adaptation and materiality to provide insight into the reasons for children’s reading choices." Learn more about our MA Children’s Literature and Literacies. Alisha receiving her award from Dr Amy Webster at the celebration event -
Lecturer's first book explores the connections between music and language learning
BGU Lecturer Tracy Jeffery has published her first book - Developing Early Verbal Skills Through Music: Using rhythm, movement and song with children and young people with additional or complex needs. Tracy began working on the book three years ago, after she gave a presentation at the Down Syndrome Research forum about music and language. According to Tracy, the talk sparked a lot of interest from parents, and she was keen to share everything she had learned from working in schools and colleges as well as her PhD and later research. 'Developing Early Verbal Skills Through Music' explains the connections between music and language learning, especially in the very early stages (up to about 3-4 years). In the book, Tracy explains the science behind this, the evidence that shows how and why music-making can support speech skills; and why these same skills can develop differently in children and adults with learning or developmental differences and disabilities, including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, hypermobility disorders. The book offers guidance about how to support learners with different diagnoses of SEND to develop musical skills in listening, rhythm, and singing so that practitioners can make adaptations. Dr Tracy Jeffery teaches on the BA in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (SENDI) programme, MA in SEND and leads the Distance Learning Top Up in SEND. She joined Bishop Grosseteste University as a Visiting Tutor in 2010, teaching on Education Studies, SENI and Psychology programmes, and joined as a full time lecturer in 2016. Tracy said: "I am delighted to have published my first book through Jessica Kingsley Publishers, who are well known for providing affordable and accessible books, especially in arts, therapies and SEND. "I wrote it for parents, firstly - I really wanted to share with them the amazing benefits that making music with children and adults can have for listening, attention, wellbeing, and most of all, for speech perception, speech production and voice. "There is so much research that shows how music-making can support skills as diverse as reading, second language learning, and speech fluency; but there are certain conditions that need to be in place when learning. "I have explained why some children and learners can have difficulty with speech and language, as well as music; and explained some of the ways parents, teachers, and practitioners can support children when making music so that they are also using the language-based skills." You can order from most bookstores, including e-books from Amazon; or can buy direct from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and get a 20% discount using the code JEFFERY20. Dr Tracy Jeffery with her new book
Explore BGU
Browse our wide range of degree courses and find the perfect one for you.
Open days are the best way to find out what BGU has to offer.
Download your copy of our prospectus to find out more about life at BGU.