news &views
In this issue:
THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
August 2009
Additional students for Worcester Growing by demand p.3
Planners give library and history centre green light
Professor defends UK’s teaching standards
Chris Robertson refutes 'crisis' claims p.3
news
Solving crime through
pyschology July saw the university's Psychological Sciences department pilot its first applied psychology workshops for local schools and colleges.
A
S and A2 level students from around Hereford and Worcester were invited to participate in half-day sessions looking at the application of psychology in the criminal justice system. The event, called ‘Solving Crime through Psychology’, was extremely popular and over 80 students and their teachers attended the event over three sessions.
of psychology to eyewitness testimony through a series of interactive exercises, including tests of their own memory and perception and their ability to act as a reliable eyewitness. To conclude the session, students took on the role of a criminal profiler. They were given details of a series of violent offences and murders. Using psychological principles the students developed a profile of the killer, which was then evaluated against details of the real perpetrator. Feedback from the event was extremely good. Students reported finding the event both enjoyable and informative, and several expressed a desire to look into forensic psychology as a future career.
Each session opened with an introduction to the work of forensic psychologists, including a ‘warts-and-all’ view of life working in the prison service. Students were then taken through the applications
Positive comments from attendees included: “I really enjoyed experiencing the work of forensic psychologists,” and “There was nothing I did not enjoy; I found the content extremely interesting.”
National training DVD’s
star
A DVD aimed at trainee teachers, and featuring a Worcester student, has been released nationally. National Strategies made the training DVD to provide examples of teachers coaching and mentoring trainees in school on their placements. The focus was on teaching literacy. The University of Worcester volunteered to take part and second year student Stephanie Wilkinson was selected to be filmed. Cookley Sebright was identified as a partnership school, and Rachel Meredith, who has worked with the University’s Institute of Education on several occasions, was appointed as a Lead Mentor. Rachel is also a member of the University’s PGCE and Undergraduate Course Committees and has a real commitment to the training partnership. Stephanie was filmed demonstrating writing with a group of children. She and Rachel were then filmed as Rachel provided focused feedback to Stephanie on her teaching. Stephanie was then filmed again, teaching children, in response to Rachel’s coaching. The DVD – Developing Literacy in Initial Teacher Training – is to be sent to all ITT providers. The aim of the DVD is to highlight subject knowledge in literacy as a focus for coaching and mentoring for trainees on school placement.
2 / AUGUST 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
education professor
hits back at 'crisis' claims Professor Chris Robertson, Head of the University's Institute of Education, has criticised a report that claims that the standard of teaching in England is amongst the worst in the developed world. The report, which was published by think tank Politeia in July, states that teachers in England are less educated than in any other European country and England’s admission standards are lower. Professor Robertson branded the report “ill-founded,” arguing that the quality of teachers has improved consistently over the last 10 years. “The teachers leaving institutes like the University of Worcester are of a very high quality and this is increasing incrementally year on year,” she said. “I feel sad when I read things like this report because it is extremely hard work being a new teacher, often in a difficult working environment. Reports like this only serve to undermine the excellent work our teachers do and are likely to lead to parents being unnecessarily critical of them.” In its latest report, OFSTED rated the University’s primary teaching as ‘outstanding’. In addition, 95 per cent of all primary trainees were graded as outstanding or good on their final school experience. The OFSTED inspectors also found that the University of Worcester was “an excellent provider of very good quality trainees.” They added that the trainees were “highly motivated and enthused to become teachers of high quality.” The selection process for our teaching courses is extremely rigorous and the University only admits students of the highest calibre to our courses. Professor Chris Robertson
COVER STORY news
WELCOME Welcome to the August 2009 edition of News & Views. The campus may be a little sleepy at the moment, but it’s still been an impossible task to cram all the recent news into these pages. The obvious highlight is the news that city planners have given the nod to Europe’s first joint university and public library and history centre for Worcester. We’ve also taken the opportunity to catch up on a few ‘human interest’ stories, including significant appointments, fond farewells and heartfelt celebrations. As always, we need your news, so please keep us informed of anything you think is interesting or newsworthy by sending it to: newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Growing by T
he University of Worcester will be one of the few universities to have places available through the Clearing process this year, after successfully being awarded additional student numbers.
growth of the University of Worcester, the Higher Education Funding Council for England awarded the University additional student numbers, allowing it to recruit over its baseline quota.
The Government recently placed a cap on student funding, which will see universities fined if they recruit over their baseline allocation.
Over the past four years the University has been awarded 1,500 additional student places.
National reports have suggested this will lead to thousands of teenagers ending up on the dole as there will be 50 per cent fewer places available through the annual Clearing scheme. However, in support of the continued strategic
Annual midwifery
conference
The University recently held its second annual birth conference, entitled: ‘Women & Birth: Power, Politics and Practice’. This eagerly anticipated event attracted 140 delegates from across the country and abroad. Prospective student midwives and NCT students also took part for the first time. The two day conference was organised by Kim Russell and members of the midwifery team, and was chaired by Professor Mary Nolan. High profile speakers included those at the forefront of midwifery education, policy and practice: Caroline Flint, who pioneered midwifery caseload practice; Gabrielle Palmer, the leading exponent of politics and breastfeeding; and Professor Paul Lewis, who is leading the way with his unique student midwife caseload scheme. Positive feedback from participants focused on the event's innovative content, effective organisation and the opportunity to network with delegates in a supportive and dynamic learning environment.
Registrar John Ryan said: “We have been awarded additional student numbers because we meet educational need effectively, combining widening participation with high quality. This award of additional student numbers means that we will be one of just a few universities that will be able to offer places through Clearing this year, at a time when so many people are looking to get into Higher Education.” The University of Worcester is Britain’s fastest growing university, with applications through UCAS up by more than 100 per cent in the past five years. This year has seen record application figures at the University – up 12 per cent on last year.
New Chaplain contents
appointed Rev Dr Fiona Haworth has been appointed as the University's new Chaplain, offering pastoral and spiritual support to students and staff of all faiths. Rev Haworth has been a team vicar in Kidderminster for the past seven years, where she lives with her husband and young son. “I’m very much looking forward to taking up the post at the University of Worcester,” she said. “There is so much going on at the University, I think it is a very exciting time to be involved with the institution." Roger Prout, Head of Student Services, said: “I am confident Fiona will develop an active and energetic chaplaincy which will be both welcoming and supportive to students and staff and have a positive impact on the community and academic life of the University.”
Feature story Library and History Centre gets green light
4
news Solving crime through psychology National training DVD Education professor hits back at 'crisis' claims Growing by demand Annual midwifery conference New chaplain appointed First graduate intern starts work Familiar face bids farewell It's all go at Unitots Tournament breaks down barriers Researchers gather at Worcester Youngsters needed for postgraduate research A day in the life of... UCDWs Exploring RE's hidden history Rewarding long service and dedication
2 2 2 3 3 3 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / AUGUST 2009 / 3
cover story
Library and history centre gets green light
City planners have given the go ahead to Worcester’s innovative new library and history centre.
T
“a building that in its own way is as significant as the cathedral down he £60 million joint project between Worcestershire the road”. County Council and the University of Worcester is set to house Europe’s first fully integrated public and university Peter Parkes, Head of Strategic Projects at Worcestershire library, the Worcestershire Record Office, Worcestershire County Council, said: “This is an important day for the people Historic Environment and Archaeology Service and the of Worcestershire and the West Midlands region as a whole. The Worcestershire Hub Customer Service Centre, which will be open to planning approval reflects the overwhelming public support we members of the public and students. have received for the project and will see the construction of a world class facility to house a wide range of new and innovative The centre is expected to attract around one million visitors a year, services, providing opportunity and access for all. The whole project from across the globe. will help to regenerate this area of the City Centre and bring new Developer Galliford Try, the firm appointed to deliver the project jobs and economic benefit to the region.” through a Private Finance Initiative, lodged the detailed planning application with Worcester City Council, whose planning committee Anne Hannaford, Director of Information and Learning Services at the University, added: “We are absolutely delighted with the unanimously gave it the green light. decision. This joint library and history centre will provide something Members of the committee described the development as “iconic” for everyone, whether it’s a quiet space to work or read, or a place and “revolutionary” with one councillor suggesting it could become to meet friends and socialise.
4 / AUGUST 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY
"We can now look forward to getting it built and to start using this amazing facility.” Stephen Lamont, Project Director for Galliford Try Investments, added: “The approval from the city planners gives the green light for this significant community project to go ahead and, while a great deal of work still remains to be done, I welcome this announcement.” The Worcester Library and History Centre will not just provide first-rate learning and heritage facilities, it also plays a role in the regeneration of the City Centre and will create a significant number of jobs. It will be open to members of the public, as well as students at the University. Work will begin on the site later this year and the Library and History Centre is scheduled to open in January 2012.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / AUGUST 2009 / / 5
news
first graduate
intern starts work
The first graduate to be taken on under the University of Worcester’s new unique salaried internship scheme is now receiving paid employment.
Familiar face bids farewell One of the University’s longest serving members of staff has retired to spend more time with her new husband.
Andrew Officer is working as an Interaction Designer at KC3.net at Kington in Herefordshire, which is one of a number of local firms to sign up to the initiative. Worcester's scheme is unusual in that graduate interns who join the year-long national programme are paid for four days a week employment as well as receiving a £2,400 bursary to spend one day a week studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Management. Andrew, aged 23, of Tenbury Wells, said: “The jobs market is really difficult at the moment. I wasn’t able to find any paid employment in the field of design for which I trained – even in London.” Nick Harris, of KC3.net, said: “We were only too happy to get involved in the scheme. Graduates bring a number of key skills to any business and this is an ideal and affordable way for us to tap into that market.”
The University of Worcester’s scheme is open to graduates of all universities and has already won support and practical commitment from businesses ranging from banks and solicitors to furniture distributors, as well as regional leaders of the CBI, Chambers of Commerce and local authorities.
Heather Dobbins, nee Durham, started working at the then Worcester College of Higher Education in 1982 as a part-time clerk/typist in the Reprographics department. Five years later she became a full time administrator to the then Dean of Education. Finally she moved to her current role in Student Services in September 1999. Heather, from Malvern, a mother-of four and grandmother to six – with one more on the way – re-married in November last year. “I have loved working at the University of Worcester and I have many lovely memories," she said.
it's all go at unitots
Pre-school children at the University’s Unitots nursery have enjoyed an exciting few weeks.
O
n June 23, some of the older children visited Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum for a 'Taste of History'. The session was run by museum staff and explored how food storage, packaging and various utensils and tools have changed over the years. The children were able to look at and handle objects from the museum collections and discussed their usage, similarities and differences. The trip was paid for from the Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
I’m really glad that the company agreed to be part of the scheme and grateful to the University for developing it. I now have paid employment, doing the work I am trained to do. Andrew Officer Graduate Intern 6 / AUGUST 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Then, on July 9, the children due to start primary school this September enjoyed a special visit from the Bookstart Bear. The Bear presented each child with a ‘Treasure Chest’, a free gift from Bookstart, a national scheme that gives books to young children to encourage book sharing from as early an age as possible. The visit followed the children’s sports day, watched by parents and grandparents. Hazel Rutherford, Unitots Nursery manager, said: “It was a great day. The sports day went very well indeed and the surprise visit from the bear was a perfect end to the occasion.”
COVER STORY news
Tournament
breaks down barriers Researchers gather at
Worcester
Some of the UK’s leading researchers in human practices gathered at the University in July to discuss their ongoing work and ideas.
UK and Ireland members of the International Society for Cultural and Activity Research (ISCAR) held a meeting at the University exploring methodological developments in participatory research, interventionist research, and practices in institutions. ISCAR holds congress, when members from across the globe gather, once every three years. However, regional meetings take place more regularly at different universities.
The University hosted Worcester’s first multi-ethnic football tournament in partnership with the Worcestershire Racial Equality Council (WREC) in July.
S
ix teams from a variety of religious and ethnic groups entered the tournament and a high standard of skill and sportsmanship was maintained by all the players.
The idea of the tournament was to help break down barriers between young people from different ethnic groups who traditionally don’t mix with each other outside of educational institutes and work places. The winning team were awarded with medals and a trophy and were invited to meet Andy Roberts, the Mayor or Worcester, in his parlour at the Guildhall. Mizanur Rahman who organised the tournament said: “It went really well – the teams put on some excellent sporting performances. “We had players from almost all main ethnic groups playing together and enjoying themselves without prejudices.”
Youngsters needed
for postgraduate research
A
research student in the University's Institute of Sport and Exercise Science is seeking the help of local children and their parents.
This year’s event at Worcester was organised by ISCAR member and University of Worcester Lecturer in Early Childhood, Anna Popova. She said: “The meetings are used as discussion spaces for researchers to explore some of the issues in-depth. We have some of the top researchers in the UK here and many who are very well known in their field, including some best-selling authors and the founder of ISCAR, Seth Chaiklin. I am delighted that we were able to meet in Worcester this year and that the event has been so successful.”
Under the direction of Dr Derek Peters, Ashley Routen is conducting his PhD study investigating the physical activity and dietary behaviour of children aged between seven and 13 years. Twentythree-year-old Ashley is looking for a number of families to help with his studies, with incentives such as a prize draw and a goodybag on offer.
“Regular participation in physical activity and the consumption of a balanced diet is paramount for a child’s growth and development,” he said. “My study will monitor children’s physical activity, fitness, self-perception, diet and body composition over a 10-week period, with follow-up sessions potentially at six and 12 months.” Anyone interested in taking part in the study can contact Ashley on 01905 855238 or at a.routen@worc.ac.uk to discuss the project and find out if they are eligible to participate.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / AUGUST 2009 / 7
University Community Development Workers Moving away from home to live in halls of residence is a daunting prospect for many freshers. Thankfully, Alison Vowles and Sarah Currie, the University Community Development Workers (UCDWs), are there to make this easier for students.
T
Sarah said: “Hall meetings are a brilliant way to get to know students. They make them feel more open to discussing things with you.”
he UCDWs work to develop and maintain a safe, inclusive and supportive campus community and promote good relations between the students and members of the local community.
Alison said: “I think building these relationships is essential for providing a good and knowledgeable service for the students.” Alison and Sarah do this by running events on campus in partnership with outside organisations such as Drinkaware and the Fire Service, in addition to more light-hearted events like a pizza afternoon. Alison said: “One of the biggest events of the year has been the inter-halls football competition. I think this was great because not only did we have lots of players but we also had loads of students there supporting the teams.”
The UCDWs are on site from 11am to 11pm and are often the first point of contact for students, especially after normal office hours.
The British Academy has awarded a research grant to the University’s Head of Postgraduate Studies in Education. Dr Stephen Parker will embark on a joint research project with Dr Rob Freathy from the University of Exeter to explore the change in Religious Education between 1969 and 1979. Dr Parker said: “We want to put the changes in RE in a wider context. We plan to interview those who were involved in making these changes to the curriculum and see how teachers reacted to these changes.” The project is titled ‘The hidden history of curriculum change in Religious Education in English Schools, 1969-1979’ and will last from September 2009 to August 2011.
Alison and Sarah both leave the University at the end of this year having made a very positive contribution to the lives of the students living in University managed accommodation, the Student Experience Team and the whole of Student Services. It has been a great experience being a UCDW this past year. Interacting with students on a daily basis, creating awareness of important initiatives and working closely with other departments within the University has been very enjoyable. Sarah Currie
Rewarding
Exploring RE's hidden
history
Alison added: “It is often the quiet ones who need the help the most which are the hardest to reach. This is why it is so important to form relationships with all the students and get to know them as soon as possible.”
long service and dedication
F
ifteen members of staff have been rewarded for dedicating 20 years to the University.
A Long Service Tea Party was held for staff who have worked at the University for two decades. Staff received a certificate, chocolates and vouchers as thanks for their hard work and commitment. Tracey Richards, a technician in the Institute of Science and the Environment, said: “There has never been a day when I haven’t wanted to come in to work. I get a lot of satisfaction from my job and the University is a very friendly place to work.” Tim Maxfield, Director of Business Development, said: “The job that I do now is very different to the one that I did three years ago, which is different again to the one that I did when I first arrived. Variety and fresh opportunities keep us all motivated, and at the University of Worcester there have been more than enough new opportunities to encourage me to stay.”
8 / AUGUST 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk