Amy Birkhead MA, PGCE, BSc (Hons)
Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education
Summary
I am a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education and the course leader for the Secondary Mathematics PGCE. I teach across undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Sheffield Institute of Education.
About
Before joining Sheffield Hallam in 2015, I taught mathematics in secondary schools across South Yorkshire, with responsibilities for curriculum development and mentoring trainee teachers. At Sheffield Hallam, I initially led the BSc (Hons) Mathematics Education and BSc (Hons) Science Education courses, both combining degree level study with school-based practice leading to QTS.
In 2025, I took on leadership of the Secondary Mathematics PGCE. Within the secondary PGCE programme I also serve as Module Leader for all university-based modules, ensuring high-quality assessment and academic standards, and a positive student experience.
I am the secondary Mathematics Subject Lead for the Teach First programme and teach and supervise students on the MA Leadership in Learning (Teach First) course.
Senior Lecturer
Teaching
Sheffield Institute of Education
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Department of Teacher Education
- PGCE Secondary programme (all subjects)
- PGCE Secondary Mathematics with QTS
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics Education with QTS
- BSc (Hons) Science Education with QTS
- MA Leadership in Learning (Teach First)
Module Leadership:
- Reflecting on Professional Practice and Development in Secondary Education
- Exploring and Developing Pedagogical Practice in Secondary Education
- Collaborative Learning and Development
Research
My research focuses on the subject knowledge development and professional learning of mathematics teachers, including non-specialists. I have contributed to studies with the Royal Society’s Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education and the Education Endowment Foundation and am currently evaluating the NCETM’s Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics trial.
I am a part-time doctoral student investigating the identity negotiation of early career mathematics teachers.
Publications
Conference papers
Birkhead, A. (2022). Identity tensions: one early career teacher's stories of navigating the school context. In Marks, R. (Ed.) British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics June 2022, Nottingham, UK, 10 June 2022 - 11 June 2022.
Birkhead, A. (2021). Emerging teacher identities: Exploring the identity negotiation of early career teachers of mathematics. In Kollosche, D. (Ed.) The Eleventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference, Virtual, 24 September 2021 - 29 September 2021 (pp. 45). Tredition: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5387538
Birkhead, A. (2021). Exploring the identity negotiation of early career mathematics teachers: A pilot study. In Marks, R. (Ed.) New Researchers Day Conference, Virtual, 4 June 2021 - 5 June 2021. BSRLM: https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/BSRLM-CP-41-2-02.pdf
Reports
Boylan, M., Zhu, H., Jaques, L., Birkhead, A., & Rempe-Gillen, E. (2024). Secondary maths practice review. EEF. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/evidence-reviews/secondary-maths-practice-review
Boylan, M., Adams, G., & Birkhead, A. (2023). Landscaping mathematics education policy: landscaping national mathematics education policy. The Royal Society. https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/mathematical-futures/
Other activities
External Examiner for the B.Ed Secondary Education with Science and Maths (with QTS) course at Plymouth Marjon University.