About

Curriculum leadership roles when school-based:

Geography and Environmental Education

Physical Education

Mathematics

Performing and Creative Arts

I have worked with all age groups of children from Foundation Stage up to and including Year 6. Prior to working in Higher Education, my particular focal point and area of responsibility was working with younger children up to the end of Key Stage 1.

I have worked with student teachers since 1998 in my role as a school-based Mentor and Mentor Co-coordinator supporting many student teachers on undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In 2002/3, I worked on secondment for a year at St Martin’s College, Lancaster (now Cumbria University) in the Primary team including a Link Tutor role visiting many schools across the Fylde Coast during student placements. Returning to school, I was school-based for four days a week with one day a week as a Link Tutor for St Martin's prior to my appointment at Sheffield Hallam University.  I have carried out numerous roles at Sheffield Hallam University since joining the Early Years and Primary team in 2007 including the role of Primary Partnership Coordinator for two years and GTP Course Leader role. I am currently the BA2 Year Leader and BATL2 Year Leader, a Module Leader, Module Tutor and Academic Tutor across BA, BATL and PG routes to teaching. As a Link Tutor, I work in partnership with schools across the region. With significant experience of the recruitment process, I regularly interview potential trainees for a place on QTS courses including BA, PG and BATL candidates.

Teaching

Department of Teacher Education

College of Social Sciences and Arts

I have an appreciation and understanding of the importance of creative approaches to learning and teaching to inspire and motivate pupils in their learning. This is reflected in my varied teaching interests and areas of expertise with particular interests across the wider curriculum including:

• Art and design including expressive arts and design

• Use of drama strategies to support development of a student teacher's professional role

• Use of drama strategies to support children’s learning across the curriculum

• Use of outdoor learning opportunities across the curriculum

• Use of an effective, enabling learning environment in support of pupils’ learning

• Development of professional practice with BA, BATL and PG trainees

• Using P4C approaches to learning

• Geography including environmental education

• History including the use of role play and exploration of different starting points for effective learning

Research

Research for Masters final project in 14/15 focused on the use of role play to support student teachers' professional development in their work with pupils' parents/carers

I am currently writing a book chapter in the field of Education Studies on 'The Educational Environment' including a focus on curricula, quality for meaning-making and school readiness.

Publications

Other activities

I have been an External Examiner for PG Primary and Early Years courses with QTS at Bath Spa University enabling me to gain experience of moderating teaching standards at a national level in addition to standards at a local and regional level.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy