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Students begin their journey to keep General Practice Nursing ‘Fit for Purpose’
The first cohort of students on the new PG Cert In General Practice Nursing at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) began their academic adventure last week. -
Special Educational Needs Course at BGU Earns National Recognition
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce it has been recognised as a high quality provider of The National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination (NA-SENCO). Introduced at BGU in 2017, this master's-level course provides focused, high-quality professional development for teachers who lead the education of pupils with special educational needs in schools. The course has now been awarded the NA-SENCO Quality Mark, a nationally recognised accreditation only given to providers who offer the highest standards of teaching and learning in how to lead the education of pupils with special educational needs. Steve McNichol, Senior Lecturer in the School of Teacher Development at BGU, expressed his delight at seeing the hard-work of both the academics and students recognised: “Developing and growing the NA-SENCO at BGU has been an incredible experience and I am very proud of the quality of provision we are able to offer. I am delighted that we are now recognised as one of the leading providers of this award in the UK and look forward to seeing how we can continue to enhance the development of school SENCOs across the region.” To find out how you can apply to take on the NA-SENCO at BGU, visit our website or contact a member of our Enquiries Team. -
Students Help National Social Initiative Find New Funding Opportunities
Students from the Business (Team Entrepreneurship) programme at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) travelled to London last week where they took part in an assessed business challenge project for social enterprise The Ramadan Tent Project (RTP). RTP run the internationally acclaimed 'Open Iftar' event, which this year will be held in major cities around the UK. Iftar is the fast-breaking meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during the month of Ramadan. Open Iftar is an inter/non faith, inter-cultural event which celebrates diversity and welcomes anyone from any background. The first event was held in London in 2013 and since then the initiative has spread to seven cites and four continents, welcoming over 60,000 guests who are invited to join together to share food, to chat, laugh and listen to a variety of speakers on a wide range of subjects. The challenge given to students by RTP was to consider how it could develop sustainable income streams that will allow them to grow the Open Iftar initiative which is free to all who attend. They had 24 hours to research resources, contact potential stakeholders and develop solutions, which were delivered as a professional presentation the following day. Team Coaches Chris Jackson and Peter Tasi from BGU were on hand to monitor the process and progress. Chris was particularly pleased with how the students took to the task: " I have to say that we were pretty impressed with the way our guys tackled a tough task, developing four potential sources of income as well as engaging with people in the local communities by simply going out and talking with them. They also saw a bigger picture and were able to engage wider support nationally, raising over £6,000 in pledges". Peter Tasi added: "This is what can be achieved by active team work. Of course is doesn't just end here as we now have to formally assess the students on their process and how they synthesise their activity to aspects of business theory which are core to their learning". "Following their visible success with the task, they must now formalise and reflect on the process and individually present their learning experience back to us. It's not as straightforward as it seems." On the day, results were presented back to RTP CEO Omar Salha who was visibly impressed: "This is an amazing achievement and we're really grateful to have been able to engage with you in this way. Some of the impromptu visits that you have made in the short time that you were with us show us the size of the task before us." In a short space of time, students found that they were able to engage with corporations such as Disney and Virgin. These are contacts who they will now be working with to explore the full extent of possible support for RTP. Project Leader for the task was BGU student Daria Pipsenska: "This was just an amazing opportunity and took us all way outside of our comfort zones! We were able to achieve good results while working under pressure as a team and we did things we'd never done before and couldn't hope to achieve sitting in a classroom." If you’re interested in a future in international business or in starting your own company, our business courses are the perfect path to take. You can find more information on them on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team. -
Student Volunteers use Animation to Promote Climate Change Education
Bishop Grosseteste University’s BG Futures team recently hosted a series of events as part of Student Volunteering Week (SVW) to celebrate the impact of student volunteers and encourage students to engage in civic life. As a part of these activities BA (Hons) Geography students Connor Price and Dan Knibbs engaged with the national initiative by hosting an event on animating climate change. The event challenged other students and members of the local community to create animations highlighting the importance of climate change and green thinking. Speaking at the event Dan discussed why he and Connor put the event together: “I wanted to run the workshop as this is something I am extremely passionate about and believe that the importance to reduce plastics in the oceans is crucial for marine life sustainability. Therefore, by running this workshop, it hopefully has educated a number of people on how they can change their lifestyles to reduce their impacts on the marine environment.” Cassie Rainey, BG Futures Administrator, praised the two for creating an event that brought different groups together in support of an important initiative: “This event saw students, teachers, and the local community come together to learn from Connor and Dan and was both engaging and informative. The hands-on activity of creating an animation meant that the learning aspect was almost subliminal and for this reason in particular I’m excited for them to deliver this to children. Not only do I think the children will really enjoy it they will learn about how to get involved on an incredibly important issue” Becky Goodman Enterprise Development Manager at BGU added her excitement at the potential impact on the Lincoln community created by the event: “It was great to support Connor and Dan to put on this event and I am excited to see how they build on this with their Programme leader Sarah Hemstock as they roll this event out to The Diocesan Board of Education and their partner schools” Connor and Dan will also be including this learning activity in the International Symposium on Climate Change and the Role of Education which is being held here at BGU on the 12th and 13th of April. Contact Sarah via email sarah.hemstock@bishopg.ac.uk. The mission behind SVW is that ‘When learners are supported to tackle social challenges, learn about issues and connect with each other, both communities and students benefit’. If you’d like to become involved in volunteering, or to find out more information about BGU’s Volunteering Award speak to a member of the BG Futures team. -
Academic Research Team Travel to Finland to Investigate Inclusive Practice
An academic research team from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) have been working with colleagues and students from the University of Eastern Finland to collect data for a pilot study on inclusive practice. Emma Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Primary, Shaun Thompson, ITT Regional Partnership Leader, and Aimee Quickfall, Head of Programmes for Primary & Early Years, are investigating inclusive practice in UK and Finnish primary schools and the well-being of teacher trainees. Their pilot study has involved holding focus groups and interviews with teacher trainees and lecturers, finding out what their perceptions of inclusion are, and asking them to explore their well-being challenges and resources using a timeline drawing method. As part of the trip Emma, Shaun and Aimee also presented their wider research interests to Finnish colleagues and visited three schools to meet with teachers and experience the best of Finnish education. Aimee explained why Finland provided the perfect place for the pilot study and what the team hoped the study’s impact would be: “We have been interested in Finland because it has a high-performing education system, where teacher training takes five years, includes a Master's qualification and only 10% of applicants are accepted on the programmes. We are looking at how Finland differs from the UK in terms of inclusive practice and well-being of teachers and trainees, with an aim to bring back ideas to share with our team to help improve our provision for initial teacher training. What we have experienced at the University of Eastern Finland and in schools in Joensuu is a real focus on the needs of children and adults in the school environment. Our initial pilot data are highlighting lots of differences in our systems, but also many similarities and shared concerns and joys. We are looking forward to working with the university on more projects and to sharing our findings with colleagues at BGU through the Learning and Teaching Conference.” If you want to pursue a future in teaching visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information on how to begin your career on our exciting Primary Education with QTS degree course or our Primary and Secondary PGCE routes. -
Students Experience the Magic of Amazon on Behind the Scenes Tour
Students on the BA Business course at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently enjoyed a trip to LBA2; one of Amazon’s latest Fulfilment Centres at Doncaster. The core goal of the trip was to see first-hand the magic that happens after customers click ‘buy’ on Amazon.co.uk and how the highly organized logistics allow Amazon to deliver for their customers. Through the behind the scenes tour the students were also able to gain an insight into the operations of this global business and discover how Amazon look after their employees in terms of health, safety, wellbeing and welfare. Becky Goodman, Module leader on the BA Business Project Based learning module, highlighted the importance of taking learning outside of the classroom: “Site visits such as this are instrumental in aiding the learning and development of our students; it is key that their learning experiences extend beyond the classroom, and we are thankful to Amazon for providing our learners with such a fantastic opportunity to see how a truly global business operates first hand.” If you’re interested in a future in international business or in starting your own company, our business courses are the perfect path to take. You can find more information on them on our website or by contacting our Enquiries Team. Any businesses who would like to work with our learners to share their knowledge and expertise can contact BG Futures, BGU’s Careers, Employability and Enterprise team, by emailing bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk -
BGU awarded British Council Funding to strengthen China Partnership
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce that, following a highly competitive application process, it has been awarded £30,000 through the British Council’s ‘Generation UK’ initiative. This initiative aims to help 80,000 students from the UK boost their employability, enhance their long-term job prospects, and develop a global mind-set through study and work experience opportunities in China. BGU’s project will provide opportunities for students and staff to engage in partnership visits to Hengyang Normal University (HYNU). Delegations from BGU first travelled out to HYNU in July 2017 and in September 2017 colleagues from HYNU visited BGU to collaborate and formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. Securing this funding represents an important next step forwards in the development of the partnership. BGU’s project is led by Dr Steven Puttick, Head of Programmes: Secondary, FE & Research Education, who spoke of his excitement on the potential of the project: “I am delighted that BGU have been awarded these funds which represent a significant investment that recognises the growing international reputation of the institution. We are really looking forward to developing our collaboration with colleagues at HYNU, and are excited about the opportunities this will help us to create.” The project is one part of the broader Lincolnshire – Hunan twinning partnership, and will also enable BGU to significantly build on these relationships. Following the award Dr Nick Gee, Head of the School of Teacher Development at BGU & a Visiting Professor at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, praised BGU’s growing international profile: “This funding recognises our flourishing international reputation within South East Asia, where we now have multiple partners offering fantastic learning opportunities for our highly successful TESOL provision.” BGU International manager Wayne Dyble added: “This funding will provide us with the opportunity to develop a sustainable relationship with HYNU and importantly gives students an excellent opportunity to enhance their cultural awareness and knowledge of China as a country and provide added value as they develop graduate attributes which will be invaluable to their careers in a global marketplace.” BGU have a global outlook on education, and our courses offer unprecedented opportunities to Teach & Travel. You can find more information about all of these, including our BA in English Language and Teaching and MA Course in TESOL on our website, or by contacting our Enquiries Team. For further information on all the international activities taking place at BGU visit our news page or contact our International Department to find out what exciting opportunities are available to you. -
Students combine magic, puzzles and some Ancient Egyptian to bring Maths to life
Third year students on the BA Primary Education with QTS course at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) visited Monks Abbey Primary School where they used a variety of exciting challenges to help two Year 4 classes engage with maths. The BGU students are part of a mathematics subject leadership group and visit Monks Abbey every year to support pupils and increase interest in the subject. As part of their efforts they led the children through 21 'Crystal Maze' style mental challenges focusing on number and shape. These included identifying numbers in Ancient Egyptian script, making tangram pictures, completing a pentomino puzzle of Bengali numbers, putting numbers in a magic square and working out how to move all the discs to create the Tower of Brahma. Each student worked with two or three children, prompting them with questions to support their thinking. Dr Ashley Compton, Senior Lecturer in Primary at BGU, described the benefits these sessions could offer to both the school pupils and BGU’s students: “Students from BAPE have been going to Monks Abbey for the past ten years to lead this activity and the school are always eager to have us back. Every year the children have ended the session excited about problem solving in mathematics and it helps broaden their understanding of what mathematics can include. Our students meanwhile are able to gain experience in how different children respond to a range of problem solving activities as well as being able to refine their questioning skills. As potential mathematics subject leaders it lets them see the potential for organising special events which can help raise the profile of mathematics in school and increase a positive attitude toward the subject.” If you’d like more information on how to begin your adventure in the world of Primary Education, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team today. -
Students Explore Religious Experiences Across Lincoln
PGCE Secondary Religious Education students from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) took their learning outside of the classroom spending a day visiting local Jews and Muslims at their respective worship centres. At the Lincoln Central Mosque the students were guided round by Imam Moulana Zaman, Head of Education and General Manager of the new mosque, who explained how the Muslim community had developed in Lincoln and discussed what the community hoped to achieve with the impressive new building. In the afternoon the students then visited the upstairs synagogue in Jews House, Steep Hill. Richard Dale, from the local Synagogue Management Committee, talked about the history of Jews in Lincoln and explained in an informal manner what it is like to be Jewish in contemporary Britain. He encouraged the group to attend one of their bi-weekly services at the synagogue, followed by food, and emphasised that visitors are always welcome. Mark Plater, Subject Leader for PGCE Secondary Religious Education at BGU, lead the trip and praised the opportunities it provided the students: “The day was a great opportunity to experience and learn more about modern lived religious experience first-hand. Our students will now be able to feed these experiences back into their future teaching. We are very lucky in Lincoln to have a diverse religious community and we are grateful to both the Lincoln Central Mosque and the Synagogue Management Committee for being so welcoming” If you’re interested in a future exploring and discussing religion then our Theology courses and RE teaching pathways could be for you. Visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team today for more information. -
Lecturer’s Artwork Forms Part of Exhibition Celebrating Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’
Artwork by Dr John Rimmer, Senior Lecturer in Secondary PGCE Art at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has been included in a collaborative exhibition ‘Enough is Definitely Enough’ celebrating the impact of Velázquez’s masterpiece ‘Las Meninas’. Whilst some art historians reflect the view that everything, or perhaps even nothing, has been said about ‘Las Meninas’, artists have long been actively influenced by the centuries old painting by Velázquez; with their responses, in turn, offering influence back to enable new readings. Now over 40 artists have come together to build upon previous interpretations by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Richard Hamilton, Francesco Goya and Eve Sussman. Dr Rimmer’s contribution will be his new video 'Three Hundred and Sixty Degrees of Desperation'. With the artworks made for ‘Enough is Definitely Enough’ there is potential for new relationships with Velasquez's original painting to open up. ‘Enough is Definitely Enough’ runs from 30 March to 13 April 2019 at General Practice in Lincoln (25 Clasketgate) and regardless of whether you are an art expert of simply an enthusiast all are welcome. The exhibition will be open Friday and Saturdays 11am - 4pm and is free to the public. BGU have been training high quality teachers for over 150 years so when it comes to education there is nowhere better to study. You can find more information on the wide range of innovative PGCE courses offered by BGU on our website. Or contact our Enquiries Team to find out how to begin your journey into teaching.
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