Institute of Education

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.

 

The Music Education department at the University of Reading is enjoying a busy term. Our programme of lunchtime concerts has showcased the talents of Year 3 BA Education (QTS) Music students as they have performed in the University ensemble-in-residence Perfect Fifth.

The University’s Choral Gala on 4.6.16 at the Reading Town Hall, featured children from Long Lane, Newtown, St Johns, St. Mary and All Saints Primary Schools singing with the University Chorus and Chamber Choir.

On 7.6.16 and 9.6.16 children from Whitley schools will present a Singalonga Pirates of Penzance led by secondary PGCE students as part of their enrichment programme.

If you are interested in finding out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate music education courses in early years, primary or secondary education, come and see us on the University open days on 16^th and 17^th June, or bookmark our website and follow us on Twitter.

On Saturday 4th June at 7pm, a special event will take place in the Reading Concert Hall. A choral gala will be staged by the talented performers of the University of Reading Chorus, Chamber Choir and Symphony Orchestra, along with our talented local school children.

Join us at Reading Concert Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH and experience Holst: St Paul’s Suite; George Shearing: Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare; and Handel: Zadok the Priest.

The conductors will be Dr Rebecca Berkley of the IoE, Paul Cox and Sam Evans.

Tickets: £15 / £12 concessions (inclusive of booking fee)

Available in advance from Reading Arts Or call 0118 960 6060.

Box Office www.readingarts.com | 0118 960 6060

For more information, visit www.reading.ac.uk/music

The Institute of Education is delighted to present its well regarded series of public lectures, given by visiting academics and University of Reading Professors on a range of topics that affect the world of education today. This thoughtful and inspirational lecture series aims to explore the important issues around teaching today.

The next public lecture will take place on the evening of Thursday 19^th May 2016. The guest speaker will be Professor Becky Francis from King’s College London. Book here:

Best known for her work on gender and achievement, Becky’s research has focused on social identities in education and educational in/equalities.

The Autumn term lecture was a great success and over-subscribed. On Tuesday 1st December 2015, Professor Peter Blatchford, Professor in Psychology and Education, UCL Institute of Education discussed: ‘Is it true that the benefits of small class sizes are a myth?

‘For further information, please e-mail the IoE Events Team:  IoE Events

Phone: 0118 3782613 or 0118 3782616

Teachers and local authority staff are warmly welcomed to our first Literacy and Language “Research-into-Practice” event at the Institute of Education, University of Reading. The event presents a great chance to hear about what is going on at Reading, to reflect on research-informed teaching and to forge new research partnerships between the university and schools. What’s more, it’s free! 

Thursday 26^th May 2016 from, 2pm – 6pm, University of Reading Institute of Education

Book your place here.

 

The event will bring together practitioners and researchers interested in primary school children’s language and literacy development. It will showcase research at Reading in the areas of reading development, EAL and Primary Languages, and offer insights into how research can inform classroom practice for literacy and language teaching. We are delighted to have the highly regarded Professor Victoria Murphy, from Oxford University, delivering a keynote speech focused on both EAL learners and reading development.

If you would like to know more please contact education-events@reading.ac.uk.  Pre-registration required.

This programme is the culmination of an exciting collaboration between the Institute of Education (IoE) and Henley Business School. Henley is among an elite group of business schools – the top 1% in the world and the IoE is known for world-class research with excellence in teaching and learning. It is ranked 3rd for training teachers in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2016).

Cross school collaboration is a unique feature of this programme, it provides the best opportunity for learning and it means that a diverse range of experiences and expertise is offered to learners. In addition the programme provides opportunities to extend professional networks and develop contacts. Enrolment for 2016 is now open to leaders and aspiring leaders from all education sectors, (including administrators), nationally and internationally.

Learners benefit from the expertise of staff from both of these schools, as well as our student body, which includes a diverse range of professionals who travel from around the world to attend courses at the Institute of Education. It is a great opportunity for ambitious education professionals to network and extend contacts, while learning and developing a career in education.

 

The need for educational leaders and managers has never been greater. Yet there is often little time for education professionals to attend traditional courses due to the intensity of the everyday working environment.  This programme is designed to provide a flexible and innovative summer school delivery with distance learning support to meet the needs of busy professionals.

 

Dr Jones said: “We aim to provide education professionals with a rewarding and enjoyable learning experience. Adding value through its innovative design with Henley Business School, this leadership and management programme is distinctive due to its emphasis on the educational context to help learners link theoretical perspectives with their  own professional practice context.”

 

The programme is delivered over a one week summer school, followed by distance learning support. It offers exit qualifcations at Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Master’s stages.  Enrolment for the 2016 summer school is now open.

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.