The IoE’s ATP Conference 2016 featured a moving key note, impressive research, a picnic with two amazing cakes – and a tinge of sadness.

The IoE hosted a lively ATP (BA Ed (QTS) Advanced Teaching Project) conference at London Road in June. The occasion was great fun and the culmination of a lot of hard work, but it was also tinged with a little sadness: the IoE was saying goodbye to our much valued Year 3 BA (QTS) Education students. They have been a vibrant, warm cohort who have contributed enormously to the work and spirit of the IoE during their years with us. 

The showcase event was designed to present the research outputs of all our final year BA (QTS) Education students.

The variety of their projects was broad and accomplished and their posters were visually appealing and lively, with the subjects being searching and relevant to today’s world.

Four of our final year students presented their work, representing a broad cross section of the type of research undertaken. Nasreen Majid, Director of the BA Ed programme, who led the conference said of the presenting students:

“I am so proud of the calibre of research that our students have developed. Teaching is a research embedded profession. Our students demonstrated this by the range of work they undertook for their ATPs. Cutting edge ideas, such as children’s mental health and the ideas of growth and fixed mindsets, using mindfulness in primary schools were amongst the projects undertaken.”

The IoE welcomed a distinguished keynote speaker to the conference: Su Lyn Corcoran of the Institute of Education, University of Manchester, who is completing her PhD exploring the transition experiences of children and youth leaving the street in Kenya.

Su spoke with passion and knowledge of routes back into education for street-connected children in Africa and the width of the problems and stigmas they face in their journey. It was particularly interesting to hear about the children’s love of reading and yet learn that their stumbling block was often in writing. Su Lyn is a strong advocate for these sometimes invisible children and hearing her dedication as she spoke of them was inspiring and moving.

The four students who stood in front of their peers and presented their research did so with confidence and a sure touch. Their depth of research and passion for their subjects was evident.

Rebekah Gale, Art Specialist, spoke of the issues facing teachers on the ‘Front Line’ of mental health, dealing with a range of challenges faced by children of all ages in our modern world. Olivia Hardy, Mathematics Specialist explored the intriguing theme that “Music Makes You Smarter”, presenting her evidence of the relationship between musical literacy and mathematics. Sarah Mugglestone, English Specialist, spoke strongly of Teachers’ Theories of Intelligence as she explored Growth Mindset School versus Non-Growth Mindset Schools. Cameron Purvis, Music Specialist, questioned in his research “How Confidence and Self-Efficacy Affect Literacy Attainment of Key Stage 2 Children in an Area of Low Socioeconomic Status”. Cameron was fluent in his advocacy of disadvantaged children and Programme Director Nasreen Majid remarked:

“We have a future leader in our midst!”

 

The best ATP candidate was to receive The Professor Rhona Stainthorp prize for outstanding achievement in undergraduate research, with two runners up. Hannah Tankard was thrilled and slightly overcome to be the proud recipient, with her runners up, Kenny Brundle, Stephanie Fletcher, Olivia Hardy and Sarah Mugglestone standing alongside her with their certificates, presented by Su Lyn.

After the ceremonies, everyone relaxed and chatted over their picnic, with Nasreen and Cara Broadhurst, Deputy Programme Director making impressive contributions of two stupendous cakes. Everyone enjoyed the chance to be together one more time before our much-valued Year 3 students head off into their bright futures.