Month: April 2017

The Institute of Education (IoE) is once again ranked in the top ten UK Universities in the field of Education, according to the Complete University Guide 2018 league table, just published. The IoE has leapt up four places to 10^th from 14^th last year, confirming the Institute’s national and international standing. This is credited in part to “a sky-high score for Student Satisfaction”, according the Complete University Guide’s Education page.

Dr Cathy Tissot, Head of the IoE (pictured), commented: “This significantly higher 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. Many congratulations to staff on our wonderful students rating the IoE ‘sky-high’ for Student Satisfaction. This is a superb accolade to everyone’s hard work and dedication.”

The result echoes the IoE’s very strong position in the main UK league tables, being ranked eighth in the country by both The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 and the Guardian University League Table 2017

The University of Reading as a whole is once again ranked in the Top 30 UK universities; Reading is ranked joint 26th in the UK by the 2018 Guide, up one place from last year. The University has maintained steady progress in recent years, with this being the third consecutive move up the table.

In addition, Reading is ranked as the 6th best university in the South East, and 3rd in the region for Good Honours and Degree Completion.

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Reading is now firmly in the top 30 universities in the UK. Our steady rise over the last few years is testament to the hard work of our staff and students.

“League table results are a good indicator of a university’s overall performance but they are prone to fluctuation year-on-year. A rise of one place this year is good news but I think it is more important to look at our performance over a longer period. We have risen 11 places in three years, which is no mean feat. Of course, if we are to continue this success we cannot rest on our laurels.”

The Complete University Guide is based on ten measures: Student Satisfaction, Research Quality, Research Intensity, Entry Standards, Student: Staff Ratio; Spending on Academic Services; Spending on Student Facilities; Good Honours Degrees; Graduate Prospects and Completion. It includes 129 institutions (127 last year).

The 70 subject tables are based on five measures (Student Satisfaction, Research Quality, Research Intensity, Entry Standards and Graduate Prospects) and include 143 universities, university colleges and specialist higher education institutions (137 last year).

The Early Years team at the University of Reading’s Institute of Education (IoE) is leading a study on collaboration and partnership in early years, funded by The Froebel Trust (Nov. 2016 – Jan. 2018). Dr Maria Kambouri-Danos, Director of BA in Children’s Development and Learning at the IoE, is the Principal Investigator of the study, which brings together a range of experts in the field.

Previous research has shown that when parents/carers plus educators from setting or schools work together, children have better self-esteem, are more self-disciplined and show higher aspirations and motivation toward school.

The aim of the study is twofold, as it seeks:

• to identify parents’, carers’ and early years professionals’ views on parental involvement, and also
• to evaluate the efficacy of a programme, planned and delivered to a group of early years teachers and practitioners as well as parents and carers.

We invited early years teachers, practitioners, parents and carers to participate by completing a short survey and also by attending two sessions at the University of Reading; one that took place on 10th May and another to happen on 17th May 4pm-7pm.

The sessions will cover topics such as ‘Soulful Play’, ‘Empowering Partnerships’, ‘Effective communication’ and more. All those working with or caring for early years children are invited to participate.

Attendance is free and places are limited, so please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to attend the second session. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be provided, while we will also try to accommodate requests for child care on the site of the event.

Please follow the link to complete the survey and join us on 17^th of May at London Road Campus, Room L24 G06!

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZGHDSB7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Together, for our children!

Dr Naomi Flynn is currently engaged in a follow-up to her study of Polish children in Hampshire schools that was conducted when Polish migration to England was a relatively new phenomenon.

In her earlier study Naomi interviewed teachers in Hampshire schools, between 2007 and 2009, that were admitting Polish children but which were in areas not accustomed to teaching children from whom English is an additional language (EAL). Interviews focused on how teachers adapt their pedagogy for their EAL learners, and findings threw light on the way in which a monolingual curriculum and assessment system can work against teachers’ capacity to make adaptations.

In her current study – funded by Reading University’s Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism (CeLM) – Naomi interviewed teachers, children and their parents in Hampshire schools with high numbers of Polish children, to assess whether her earlier findings still hold. Outcomes suggest that teachers are growing in their understanding of effective teaching for EAL, but that Polish children’s identities are very fluid between home and school.

“Gathering the views of children and their parents, as well as their teachers, was particularly interesting,” says Naomi, who teaches Reading IoE’s trainee teachers about EAL teaching and learning.

“The differences between teachers’ and parents’ perceptions of their children’s English language acquisition, and the realities for their children, were often starkly contrasting.”

Naomi will present findings from her project in July, to Hampshire teachers, at a conference run by Hampshire’s Ethnic Minority Traveller and Achievement Service, and at a conference on EAL for academics at St John’s College, Oxford, in September, which has been organised by her IoE colleague Dr Holly Joseph.

Find out everything you need to know about teacher training at the flagship Train to Teach Roadshow, hosted here at the University of Reading on 11th May 2017 16:30 to 20:00.

These popular roadshows are presented in conjunction with the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)* and offer a brilliant opportunity to get all of your questions answered by a range of teaching professionals. Best of all, they’re completely free – just register to guarantee your place.

You will find a wealth of information on how to get into teaching and how to apply for training in your region at the event, so don’t miss your opportunity to find out more. Drop in at any time during the event, allowing at least two hours to:

• first attend a presentation on the different teacher training options – these will take place at 5.30pm and 6.30pm
• speak to teaching experts to receive advice on your training options – please check your eligibility for teacher training before coming along to this event
• receive personalised advice on your UCAS application – don’t forget to bring a copy of your personal statement with you
• talk to practising teachers about life in the classroom
• meet University of Reading teacher training experts as well as representatives from schools and universities that deliver teacher training in your region to find out about courses and entry requirements.

Venue information:

University of Reading, Institute of Education, London Road Campus, 4 Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX

*National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Education.

 

 

 

(and you could benefit from an alumni discount*)

Have you considered teaching as a career?

Did you know that the University of Reading is a leading provider of teacher training courses?

Ranked 8th in the UK for Education, our Institute of Education is the perfect place to become a teacher.

Come to one of our information events about Early Years, Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Training courses. The next ones run from  4pm to 6pm on London Road campus:

• Monday 10 April
• Monday 8 May 2017
• Newly added: Monday 22 May 2017, just for secondary 4-6pm 
• Monday 5 June 2017

 

Book your place now:

reading.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/university-of-reading-information-evening-20167 

*Alumni of University of Reading undergraduate degrees, who have not already completed a postgraduate course at the University and enrol on one of our core PGCE courses in 2017, are entitled to a 10% discount on our tuition fee. Please note that this does not apply to individuals who undertake a PGCE via the School Direct route.

Mental health disorders are extremely common in children and young people. They often persist into adulthood and are associated with serious long-term consequences. Yet only a minority of young people ever receive professional help for these problems, although there are clinically proven and cost-effective treatments. This is where schools can play a vital part: by preventing children from slipping through the net and becoming valuable sources of mental health support and input.

An event on Tuesday, 12^th September 2017 will explore this vital issue of tackling mental health in schools. A group of distinguished experts will gather to discuss how we can support schools in improving mental health in their environments.

Supported by The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and Children & Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, the one day conference brings together high-profile experts from various disciplines, as well as young people who have experienced mental health problems themselves, to offer the latest evidence-based advice on how to address mental health in schools, and the best methods to achieve this.

Given the vast number of policy initiatives and programmes being developed for use in schools, it is critical that schools know what they are able to achieve on the basis of the research evidence and where funding should be directed. The conference will involve keynote addresses, as well as poster presentations and opportunities to meet and talk to other professionals working in this area.

This not-for-profit conference is aimed at key authority figures in schools, commissioners, policy makers and researchers nationally. Schools will gain practical guidance about what works and what doesn’t, on the basis of the latest research evidence. Commissioners and policy makers will gain clear guidance on the best use of resources and priorities for future investments. Researchers will be able to see updates on the latest research and opportunities to develop research collaborations. 

Speakers

Professor Mick Cooper – University of Roehampton

Dr Jessica Deighton – The Anna Freud Centre and University College London

Professor Neil Humphrey – University of Manchester

Dr Pooky Knightsmith – The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

Lord Richard Layard – London School of Economics

Professor Shirley Reynolds – University of Reading

Young people with experience of mental health problems

Find out more about our Speakers

Book Online

Full priced ticket @ £100 

 

 

Breaking Barriers to Literacy 

Following on from a successful research-into-practice event last year, the Institute of Education (IoE), partnered and funded by the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism (CeLM), are staging another for 2017. This event will draw on presentations from both academics and practitioners in order to make links between research and practice related to potential barriers to literacy for primary aged children.

The event will focus on four areas of research and practice:

• Dyslexia
  
• Language Impairment
• Reading and the home literacy environment
• English as an Additional Language

The first part of the afternoon gives attendees the opportunity to hear presentations on all four areas of literacy and language teaching from IoE and CeLM academics joined by expert practitioners. For the second part of the afternoon attendees will select from workshop discussions to explore one of the areas in more depth.

This event will be of interest to primary school teachers and senior managers, specialist learning support assistants, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists and local authority personnel.

Admission is free to this event but numbers are restricted. Sign up early to guarantee your place and your first choice for the workshop.  

Breaking Barriers to Literacy takes place on:

Thursday May 25^th 2017
1.30 – 6.00pm
The Institute of Education, London Road Campus, Redlands Road, Reading

 

Register to attend