Year: 2016

We have a fantastic array of concerts and other events lined up for the coming term. We hope you can join us!

The Institute of Education is delighted to announce that Dr Helen Bilton, author of Exploring Outdoors Ages 3-11, has been nominated Routledge Education’s Author of the Month. Read about her extensive work and research in outdoor teaching and learning environments, and find out about her latest book here.

Dr Bilton is Associate Professor of Education and Senior Tutor at the IoE and is a National Teaching Fellow. Routledge is the world’s leading academic publisher in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Art department at the IoE is delighted to present an exhibition of screen prints produced by the brilliant Emily Gillmor, artist and printmaker, during her current residency with us. Screen prints produced by BA Ed and PGCE Art students, visiting school  children and members of the Art staff, who have all been introduced to the silk screen process by Emily, are included.

If anyone would like to have a go at screen printing and maybe print a card or something larger, Emily will be hosting two drop in sessions on Thursdays March 17^th  & 24^th from 11am until 2pm – all welcome.

The Institute of Education has confirmed its national and international standing through its excellent results in the Complete University Guide 2017 league table, published on 26^th April. The IoE retains its position from last year, being ranked 14^th nationally, up 18 places from the 2015 table.

Dr Cathy Tissot, Head of the IoE, commented: “This significant position on the table demonstrates how hard we are working to ensure our students are successful, secure excellent jobs and are studying in truly supportive and exciting environment.”

The University of Reading as a whole has strengthened its position in the latest league table. Reading has consolidated its ranking as a Top 30 UK university in the Complete University Guide 2017, moving up two places to 27 compared to the previous year. This is the University’s second consecutive move up the tables, after moving up eight places for the 2016 rankings.

Overall, the University is ranked as the 6th best university in the South East, and has 34 different subject areas ranked in total.

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell said:

“It is gratifying to see another league table in which Reading has made steady progress. As ever, credit for our high position and consistent improvement must be given to our talented staff and students for their hard work.

“While one should not read too much into a single ranking, which can be prone to fluctuation, I believe the overall picture shows that Reading is moving in the right direction. We are not only one of the UK’s leading universities but also have a strong and growing international reputation.”

The Complete University Guide, published since 2007, uses nine criteria in its assessment, including:

• Academic services spend
• Completion rate of students
• Average UCAS tariff score of new students under the age of 21
• Expenditure per student on staff and student facilities
• Proportion of firsts and upper seconds
• Graduate prospects – or the employability of graduates
• Average quality of research
• Student satisfaction (from the National Student Survey)
• Student to staff ratio.

It’s been a week of activities to boost CVs, enhance employability and make everyone buzz with ideas. More than that – it’s been a lot of fun! There were cakes, pantomimus, theatre, plus sessions on academic writing, well-being, literacy and many other valuable segments.

This is a summary of what was enjoyed by all:

An Invitation to Enhancement Week 2016

MONDAY 15TH FEBRUARY                                                                                                                                    

Cakes, Poems and Story-Telling presented by Stephanie Sharp L22 102    10-11

A fun session looking at poems and story-telling (including some about cakes) and there will be cake!

“A Taste of Playback Theatre – Stories of our Studies” presented by Simon Floodgate TAEDS studio       10-1

Playback Theatre is an original form of improvisational theatre in which audience members tell stories from their lives and watch them enacted on the spot. It is a dynamic, interactive and powerful form of theatre.

“Pantomimus” by Berkshire Maestros (Margareta Burrell) presented by Bec Berkley L29 G01      2 – 3.30

Pantomimus is a creative music activity for EYFS children with opportunities for engaging all school staff in music making. Children sing, move, play instruments and are creative; sharing the joy of making music together. It is led by Margareta Burrell, EYFS Music specialist with Berkshire Maestros. This session is open to any IOE student. www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk/pantomimus_main.html.

TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY

Teaching Abroad presented by Karen Goulding L24 G06     9 – 10

Focusing on assessment, different curriculum models and resources.

Singing and Literacy presented by Rebecca Berkley L29 G01         9 – 10

Singing for literacy focuses on how to use singing in the classroom as a mechanism for developing literacy skills. This session is open to any IOE student, and will include group singing, song writing, movement and active music making.

Successful Academic Writing presented by Vince T. L16 G06         11 – 12

In this session, you can get extra support on how to improve your academic writing skills. You can bring with you either an assignment that you are currently working on or one that has already been marked, but you would like further advice.

Well-being, work life balance and time management presented by Jane Fieldsend L10 G03          11.30 – 12.30

Fun ways to unwind and relax (with a bit of theory thrown in).

WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY
Berkshire Vision presented by Karen Goulding L22 G03       11.30 – 12.30

Our session will involve a brief outline of the activities and services we provide to different age groups of blind and partially-sighted people across the county; an exercise involving the use of simispecs; demonstration of various aids and adaptations that make life easier/safer for visually-impaired people in the home and community; display of scanners and mobile phones; and examples of sports equipment adapted for use by blind and partially sighted players.

An Invitation to Enhancement Week 2016

Excellent early years teachers make a lasting, positive impact on children’s well-being and development, opening young children’s minds to new concepts and ideas on a daily basis. But when Stephanie Drake (pictured) attained Early Years Teacher Status at the Institute of Education in 2014, she little dreamt that her career would offer the added attraction of an idyllic life on the other side of the world.

Stephanie originally graduated in Journalism and Media & Cultural studies from Kingston University. By 2009, she found herself in Korea teaching English with a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification. Whilst there, Stephanie came to realise that teaching was her future. This conviction was underlined by the opportunities she was offered of working with children of all different ages, from toddlers to teenagers. The varied work gave Stephanie a valuable insight into her chosen profession and helped her to decide which stage of childhood she wanted to work with.

When Stephanie finished her contact in Korea, she knew it was time to come back to the UK to gain more qualifications.

“I knew about the long-established PGCE (Post-Graduate Certificate in Education) but whilst applying for that, I found out about this course (EYTS) which seemed far more appropriate for me,” she explained.

“The most enjoyable thing for me on the programme was having placements which ran alongside the course of study, meaning you are able to apply what you are learning back at university,” Stephanie added.

She found that the most challenging aspect of the programme was having to demonstrate skills in leadership and change management right from the beginning:

“I had to say ‘Well I know you’re already ‘Outstanding’ as a setting, but I still want to go ahead and improve such-and-such.’”

Stephanie’s next steps came quickly.

“Before I graduated I was updating my CV and I was immediately offered a job as a senior nursery nurse not far from Reading. During my time there, I was thrilled to be offered my ‘dream job’ here in Thailand.

“The location is beautiful; purpose-built and constructed with children in mind. I’ve got my own class of 16 children and am in charge of two teaching assistants and a nanny. The children go home at midday and so I have plenty of preparation time.  The purpose-built design of the school and the climate of Thailand enables learning to take place both inside and outside of the classroom all year round.

“The other great benefit is that the course has enabled me to pursue my passion of travelling and teaching – being able to work in a different part of the world, and gain valuable experience working with parents and children with EAL. It’s a good contract: they pay the rent for where I live and will give me a housing allowance if I move out.  I am receiving training which will be helpful for my promotion prospects.”

When asked what advice she would give to undergraduate students (not necessarily in education) who are interested in this kind of work, Stephanie said:

“If it’s something you feel passionate about, go for it, but make sure you get some experience with children first to check that you have the vocation and interest!”

Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) is awarded to graduates who have been judged to have met all of the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years) in practice from birth to five years old. Early Years Teacher Status is the only graduate accreditation for the early years workforce.

A conference exploring links between education science and religion is being organised by the LASAR (Learning About Science and Religion) Project at the University of Reading with the Department of Education, University of Oxford.

Some people believe that science and religion are necessarily opposed and compete for the same territory. The pervasiveness of the conflict thesis – in schools and among the wider public – is underpinned by a myriad of complex factors. This conference will discuss why the conflict thesis is so prevalent in people’s thinking, and will showcase research and activities designed to improve students’ and the wider public’s understanding of how science and religion relate.

Keynote: Alister McGrath, Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford

Chair: Michael Reiss, Professor of Science Education at UCL Institute of Education

More information about the conference or call for papers here >>>>

or email for details: LASAR@reading.ac.uk

Details of how to apply here >>>>

The University is pleased to announce seven PhD studentships available for October 2016 start. These are available for highly qualified applicants for research within the Faculties of Science, Life Sciences and Arts, Humanities and Social Science.

What is available? 

One full ‘prize’ studentship offering:

• a subsistence grant (stipend) to match the 2015/16 UK Research Council rate (£14,057)
• tuition fees at the International rate
• a £1,000 p.a. training and development allowance

Six fees-only studentships, each one offering:

• tuition fees at the International rate
• a £1,000 p.a. training and development allowance

All awards are for up to three years in duration.

Research themes

The full ‘prize’ studentship is available for research in any area within the Faculties listed above.

The six fees-only studentships can only be awarded to those applicants whose proposed research falls within one of the following themes:

• Environment
• Food
• Health
• Prosperity & Resilience
• Heritage & Creativity

Please note that these themes are intended to be broadly interpreted across subject areas.

Eligibility

Funding is only open to international (non-EU) candidates. You will be required to meet the language requirements specified by your department upon entry.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is Friday 29^th January 2016

Details of how to apply here >>>>