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Local teacher training expertise in demand for national conference


Using the “Big Brother” approach has paid dividends for student teachers through working in collaboration with Great Corby Primary School to understand the ins and outs of teaching children to read.


News of the project’s success spread and Kirsty Williamson (teacher at Great Corby school) and Ruth Harrison- Palmer (principal lecturer at the university) were invited to present their innovative approach at the Reading Reform Foundation conference in London in October.


The conference was attended by Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb. The Government is actively promoting the use of synthetic phonics in the teaching of early reading and the teaching profession always takes a keen interest in new approaches to the activity.


And the “Big Brother” element? As part of the trainees’ university-based learning, Kirsty’s teaching of synthetic phonics in the Great Corby Primary School classroom is streamed live into lectures, allowing a large number of trainees and a tutor to discuss the lesson as it actually happens. The trainee teachers also ask Kirsty and the children questions following the lesson.


Ruth explains: “It’s a very simple but very effective way of combining theory with practice—to be able to observe teaching in the school classroom in real time from a campus classroom is hugely beneficial to the students. They can watch the process, ask questions, evaluate the children’s response and then discuss their findings in a single session.”


University representatives support a North West


Olympic legacy


Two university lecturers have been elected as representatives to local and national sports bodies, using their skills and knowledge to support an Olympic legacy long beyond the 2012 games.


The university’s Director of Sport, Dr David Houlston has been elected as a Board member for the Active Cumbria Partnership and is the HE representative on the Lancashire Sport Partnership Participation and Retention Strategy Group.


Dave is now also working with Lancashire School Games Committee,


supporting the use of the Olympic Games 2012 to encourage children into sports participation. Dave was approached by each of the organisations following a strong push towards university engagement with the development of healthy and active lifestyles from a young age. He says: “I am delighted to be playing a part in both the Cumbria and Lancashire County Sport Partnership organisations and I think that by working together with local authorities, schools and other partner organisations, we can all make a significant difference to our communities, and particularly our young people.”


Cathy Devine, a senior lecturer in sport and physical activity has been elected to the Executive Committee of the British Philosophy of Sport Association.


Cathy has recently been researching and writing papers relating to the London 2012 Olympics legacy and was elected following her research and knowledge in sport policy and politics. Her expertise lies in sport and physical activity policy and politics, human rights and entitlements in relation to sport and movement policy, risk, nutrition and food.


The British Philosophy of Sport Association has been active since 2001 and looks at the study of the nature and


values of human movement, including the ethics and the unique values of games, play and sport.


Lancaster-based Cathy is delighted with her election to the committee. She said of the achievement: “To be recognised in this way by a professional sporting association is extremely gratifying and I look forward to contributing to the work of the committee in promoting the aims of the association.”


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