FACULTY UPDATE at Education and Sport Autumn 2014
Excellent results for Faculty Over the Summer the results of the 2014 National Student Survey were released, the major barometer of undergraduate student satisfaction. The Faculty had some outstanding results with overall satisfaction with its courses increasing by 9% over 2013, the largest Faculty increase in the University.
Three of the
Faculty’s four departments increased their position with respect to the sector, with English Language and Communication being amongst the top ten; Initial Teacher Training courses leaping to the top 20 in the country and Education Studies rising to be amongst the top 25.
A focus on enhancing assessment and course organisation in 2013-14 has paid dividends, with scores in this aspect of student satisfaction now exceeding the sector upper quartile. Furthermore the Faculty and the University has sustained its strong sector position in its score on supporting students’ personal
development.
Overall
these
results
demonstrate the Faculty’s continued commitment to enhancing the student experience and those efforts thus far have brought about a significant rise in student satisfaction.
Leadership and Influence award Angie Newton received an award for "Leadership and Influence" at the AfPE annual conference held at St George’s Park, the National Football Centre.
Angie
was in good company receiving the award along with four others: Dr Ashley Casey a former senior lecturer at the university; Val Sabin, former Bedford student and lecturer, author and consultant; Roger Davies, the
The
award
was
recognition
of
Angie’s
lifetime
English Football Association’s National Coaching in
achievement in the field of physical education. Angie
Education Manager and Martin Preston the Football
was thrilled to receive it, but modestly said she was
Association Tesco Skills Programme Manager. Awards
only one small part of a great tradition of leaders in
were presented at the pre-conference dinner by guest
physical education at the University whose PE heritage
speaker Stephen Drew, Headteacher from ‘Educating
dates back to the Bedford PE College founded more
Essex’ and ‘Mr Drew’s School for Boys’.
than a hundred years ago. Faculty Update Autumn 2014
Faculty of Education and Sport
Tempus: International development project in Kosovo Several members of the faculty are involved in a three-
We are very proud to be involved in this development
year TEMPUS international development project in
work. The University of Bedfordshire was invited to take
Kosovo to help the country establish research-informed
part
teacher education Masters programmes aligned to the
undergraduate and postgraduate courses for aspiring
new school curriculum.
and experienced teachers. Additionally, our reputation
Education in Kosovo is going through major reform. The current school curriculum is still very text-book
because
of
its
long
tradition
of
providing
for leading a successful Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice was a determining factor.
based and didactic in approach. Although there has
Colleagues in the Faculty, including Jenny Gilbert
been significant investment from European agencies
(project lead), Sarah Cousins, Andrea Raiker and
since the war in 1999, this small, newly formed nation
Cathal Butler have been supported by the European
state is still in need of support.
Tempus fund to work with academics from Italy, Slovenia and Finland to support the University of Prishtina to develop quality, fit-for-purpose educational courses. Early in the year the Faculty hosted a delegation from the Kosovar ministry of Education, Science and Technology to discuss our respective educational systems. In Spring 2015 the Faculty will host a delegation from the University of Prishtina.
Genuine thanks Many staff receive emails like this at the end of the
Let’s take a moment to savour them.
academic year. Subject: Dissertation Dear Uvanney, I have finally completed the dissertation and submitted it through Turnitin. I have tried to include and amend the paper as best as I could based on your suggested feedback. I am so grateful for the support you have given me and I have been truly blessed to have had you as my supervisor. I have never had such high quality academic support in my life. I will be in touch. Many Thanks D
Launch of Bedford Philosophy of Education Society This year we have launched the first Bedford Branch of
Contact
Neil
for
a
programme
of
events.
the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain. Dr Neil Hopkins, Senior Lecturer in the Department of
Twitter: @pesgbbedford
Teacher Education, is the branch secretary. Events attract colleagues from across the University and across
our
extensive
school
Email: neil.hopkins@beds.ac.uk
partnership. Update Autumn 2014
Faculty of Education and Sport
Commonwealth Games for former student Former Bedford PGCE PE student was selected for the commonwealth games in the triathlon. Eimear Mullan graduated in 2007 and is part of the Northern Ireland team. She is actually a treble Ironman champion, having given up teaching to be a full time athlete based overseas. http://www.eimearmullan.com
Growth in Teacher Education The Department of Teacher Education was delighted to
Leadership, a fact reinforced by our successful bid to
receive additional trainee allocations in both primary
run the new Early Years Initial Teacher Training
and PE undergraduate courses last month, bringing the
programme from September 2014. Always looking to
number of potential year 1 trainees on the courses to
expand, we are currently also planning new courses in
100 and 52 respectively. This is strong evidence of the
Maths
regard in which teacher training at the University is
Education (non QTS) for a September 2015 start.
and
Education
(with
QTS)
and
Primary
held by the National College for Teaching and
Graduation VIPs We were pleased that Tom Watermouth (below photo), Principal at All Saints Academy, was our graduation guest of honour in July 2014 who inspired graduates
with
his
experience
and
insights.
At our October graduation in Milton Keynes, we were pleased to give Dr Ann Limb (above photo) an honorary doctorate.
Ann has been Principal of two
local FE Colleges and held many non-executive directorships for education and community-related national organisations such as Learn Direct.
Graduate success Two former students have been playing in the IRB
Maggie Alphonsi played for England, and Kerri-Ann
Women's world cup semi-final between England and
Craddock (BA PE (with QTS) 2006) played for Ireland
Ireland.
in August. England won the match 40 - 7.
Update Autumn 2014
Faculty of Education and Sport
Lifetime achievement award for ground-breaking research Professor
Randy
Jirtle
was
honoured
with
the
prestigious Linus Pauling Functional Medicine Award at the Institute for Functional Medicine’s (IFM) 2014 Annual International Conference in San Francisco. Prof
influence the phenotypic outcome of the offspring.” Prof. Jirtle has dedicated his life’s work to refuting the previously held belief that genes are only stagnant parameters
Jirtle previously headed the epigenetics and
imprinting
laboratory
at
unyielding
Duke
making to
up
external
each stimuli
life, or
deprivation. Jirtle’s work in the field of
University, and is now a Professor of
epigenetics illuminates the dichotomy of
Epigenetics at the Department of Sport
nature versus nurture, while allowing for
Science and Physical Activity here at
the empowerment of the individual to
Bedfordshire.
recognize and optimize functionality of
IFM’s Chairman Emeritus had this to say
their distinct genes. Jirtle was honoured
about Dr. Jirtle’s selection as the 2014
in
Linus
Achievement Award from the College of
Pauling
Functional
Medicine
2006
with at
the the
Distinguished
Award recipient: “He is an extraordinary
Engineering
University
of
discoverer who crossed the boundaries
Wisconsin-Madison. In 2007, Professor
of disciplinary myopia to become the father of
Jirtle was nominated for TIME Magazine’s “Person of
environmental epigenomics. I also call him the father of
the Year.” He was the inaugural recipient of the
nutritional
important
Epigenetic Medicine Award in 2008, and received the
observation he has made as to the role that nutrients
STARS Lecture Award in Nutrition and Cancer from the
play in developmental biology and modulating the
National Cancer Institute in 2009. He has published
epigenome’s expression into the phenotype. In his work
over 190 peer-reviewed articles, was a featured
at Duke, with his post-doctoral student Dr. Robert
scientist
Waterland, they made what I would consider one of
epigenetics entitled Ghost in Your Genes, and this year
those frame-shifting, epic, seismic discoveries that the
published two books on Environmental Epigenomics in
nutritional environment of the pregnant animal will
Health and Disease.
epigenetics
because
of
the
on
the
NOVA
television
program
on
Vice-Chancellor’s Student Experience Awards Kay Brown won the Faculty Inspirational Teacher
Rammell, and actor and honorary graduate Colin
Award at the recent Student Experience Awards
Salmon.
Evening. This award, unlike the others, was voted for by students making this an excellent achievement for Kay in her first year at the University. Other nominees for the award were: James Shea and Lisa Gallimore from the Department of Teacher Education. The English Language courses won the Faculty’s NSS award for its outstanding NSS results once again. The awards were presented by the Vice-Chancellor, Bill
Update Autumn 2014
Faculty of Education and Sport
Annual Special Educational Needs Conference to support the needs of children such as
Professor Janice Wearmouth led what has
become
a
regular
annual
conference for alumni of the National
“A very successful
her son, and what a difference it makes
conference”
to children’s and families’ lives when professionals really do understand their
Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination that has been running at the University for the past five years. Held on June 4th, the speakers were Jane McConnell, the Chief Executive Officer of IPSEA, the Independent Parental
Special
Education
Advice
charity; ‘Mary’, the mother of an autistic
“What a fab day! With an excellent, well-balanced choice of speakers. Lots to talk about back at school.”
who specialises in difficulties in maths acquisition. The feedback speaks for itself. Jane, who is a barrister specialising in education law, particularly as it pertains to special educational needs, gave an update on the new legislation contained
“Excellent session by Jane, very interesting and very topical. I felt much more informed and empowered to help children.”
schools and local authorities in meeting the statutory requirements in the new draft Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for 0 to 25 years (DfE, 2014).
Her
presentation
was
challenging, informative and very well received, as the feedback from the SENCos indicated.
to
“What a star! Great talk by Mary. Very informative, very useful, wish more teachers could see it. Made me think about how I will treat parents.”
‘Mary’s’
presentation
were all also very positive. Marziyah’s presentation in the afternoon was very practical and related to her own experiences of what can help children
with
difficulties
in
maths
to improve in their maths
learning and achievement. She talked about
the
importance
acquiring
a
understanding
of
of
children
well-developed number-ness
and
patterns, and of teachers working from the concrete to the abstract at a pace suited to individual children’s needs. The
SENCos’
presentation
within the Children and Families Act, 2014, and discussed the issues facing
Responses
acquisition
boy, and Marziyah Panju, a learning and teaching consultant from Luton
pupils and are prepared to listen.
comments were
all
on
her very
complimentary. The Faculty has been very fortunate in working with such a strong, committed group of SENCos over the past five years. We hope to organise further conferences at regular intervals in the future.
‘Mary’ (real name withheld) spoke about her personal experiences in, firstly, the shock of being suddenly informed that her son might be autistic with no prior discussion or preparation; the fight she has had in accessing appropriate supportive provision for him; what teachers and schools can do
“Fabulous session by Marziyah, inspirational. So much information shared. Great ideas for numeracy support.” Update Autumn 2014
Faculty of Education and Sport
HEA International Scholarship 2013/14: Dr Jenny Gilbert Work-based learning in schools: innovative
problem situation, generally focused on a central
practice within the practicum
metaphor.
This research has been undertaken in England, in New
Pre-service teachers’ (students) views ranged along a
South Wales, Australia and in Ontario, Canada. In all
continuum based on the level of control and autonomy
three jurisdictions initial teacher education is in a state
they perceived.
of flux.
experience as a matter of luck and at the other they are
The research has identified the factors that
At one extreme they see their
impact on the development of pre-service teachers
‘learning to fly’.
Below are two of the redrawn images
during the practicum. A critical aspect of the study is
following analysis of the data.
the commitment to use Soft Systems Methodology, an approach that considers the systemic effects within a problem situation, recognizing that components within a system
can
interact
to
Data
has
consequences. pre-service
teachers,
produce
unintended
been
collected
from
supervising
teachers
and
teaching faculty across the three jurisdictions. Focus groups
were
convened
and
following
extensive
discussion each group devised a ‘rich picture’ of the
Old Possum University Pre-service teachers’ perceptions Transformation
required
(root
definition):
A
University
responsibility to work with schools to convert the practicum from the ‘luck of the draw’ to a consistently organised experience in order to benefit pre-service teachers in an environment where reality accords more closely with the documented system.
Australian Koala University Pre-service teachers’ perceptions Transformation
required
(root
definition):
A
University
responsibility to work with schools to convert a naïve pre-service teacher
to one who has ‘nailed the craft’,
support and
by delivering both
the freedom to choose in an environment where
schools and their students vary considerably.
Update Autumn 2014
Faculty of Education and Sport
HEA Funding for employability initiative
Dr Paul Beedie and Christine Smith wrote and
consultancy support from a HEA specialist and,
submitted a proposal to HEA in September seeking
hopefully, HEA funding support from January 2015. The
support for a project concerned with embedding
project will run for a year in the first instance and
employability in our curricula. The outcome is very
Christine and Paul have already identified next
positive and we are now part of this HEA led initiative
summer’s University Conference as one of several
that will support our Faculty ambition of vocationally
conduits
sensitising our degrees. The benefits for us are network
disseminated.
through
which
the
findings
can
be
connections to other HEIs included in the initiative,
Links with the Congo - the Olympic legacy The Democratic Republic of Congo Track and Field
Coordinator Pre Olympic Games Training Camp,
team were based at Bedford Campus prior to the 2012
Bedford, 2012, met Dr Andrew Mitchell, Dr Iain
Olympics and one of its leading researchers paid a
Fletcher, Dr Jenny Cann and Professor Michael Welsch
return visit to talk to research staff. Professor Betty
to discuss interesting and fertile opportunities for
Miangindula from the University of Kinshasa in the
collaboration in research and staff/student exchange.
Democratic Republic of Congo and Howard Darbon,
Items for the next newsletter If you have any bits of news or things to celebrate do drop Sally Bentley a note as and when they happen and she will include them in the next edition: sally.bentley@beds.ac.uk Update Autumn 2014