Mr Andy Bull BA (Hons), PGCE, M.Ed
Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education
Summary
I have led the secondary history PGCE at Sheffield Hallam since 2013. I also teach on the subject component of the primary teacher training routes. I worked as a subject lead in schools before moving into a local authority school adviser role. My advisory role continues, mainly focused on curriculum and staff development, including providing staff training and quality assurance across Rotherham and Sheffield. I’m actively involved in developments around subject pedagogy through membership of the Historical Association and the History Teacher Education Network.
About
I took my first degree in Modern History at University College, Oxford before moving north to complete my PGCE in History and Humanities at the University of Sheffield. I then took up a series of posts in schools in Sheffield and Rotherham, in total teaching for nineteen years.
In this time, I held the position of Head of History in two 11-18 comprehensives. I managed large subject teams, and led the development of the history curriculum in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. I also taught more broadly across the Humanities curriculum including Geography and RE, as well as elements of both PSHE and Citizenship curricula.
During my time in schools I was closely involved in ITT partnerships, moving from the role of subject mentor to whole school responsibility for ITT and early career teacher induction. I felt that I found my 'niche' combining roles in subject leadership and teacher development and in the process learnt a huge amount about teaching and learning, which has remained my passion.
It was a natural development for me to move into the role of school adviser with a local authority, a post I continue to hold. Within this role, my evolving specialisms have included subject curriculum, teaching and learning, school governance, teacher appraisal and pay, ITT partnerships, and statutory induction for early career teachers. This role continues to take me into primary, secondary and Special schools across Sheffield and Rotherham. I have served as a school governor in two schools. After taking up my adviser role, I completed a Masters degree focused on school leadership.
In 2013 I was asked to take on the leadership of the new secondary history PGCE course at Sheffield Hallam. In recent years my remit has expanded to include teaching on our primary ITT routes. In 2022 I was appointed as the external adviser for the Humanities PGCE courses at UWE.
Collectively, my different roles within and beyond the university have allowed me to enjoy my passion for history whilst fulfilling my commitment to teacher training and development. Through my membership of the Historical Association and the History Teacher Educator Network, I engage directly in the lively and ongoing national debates and developments around subject curriculum and pedagogy. My aim is to constantly refresh my teaching at Sheffield Hallam so that it provides the best possible foundations and starting points for the next generation of teachers.
Teaching
Department of Teacher Education
College of Social Sciences and Arts
I remain passionate about the teaching of History and interested in any changes affecting its curriculum, pedagogy or classroom practice. Through my wider professional role I remain well informed about broader developments in the school system at national and local level.
PGCE Secondary
PGCE Secondary History with QTS
Primary B.Ed with QTS
Primary PGCE with QTS
Research
I hold a Masters degree in Education (M.Ed) from the Open University, where my research focus was on Educational Leadership and Management.
Other activities
School adviser - Rotherham School Improvement Service (RoSIS) , Rotherham Local Authority.
Early Career Teacher Induction Consultant - South Yorkshire Teaching Hub (SYTH).