News Archive 2008 - 2009
Note: All links within the archive are held for posterity and may no longer be up to date.
Online Timeline Launched
Fri, 28 Aug An interactive exhibition which traces the history of teacher training in Cambridge has been launched. The timeline follows the story of how Cambridge set the standard for training teachers in Britain and, from humble beginnings, came to house one of the largest groups of educational researchers and teaching trainers in the country. To celebrate this illustrious history, former staff and students are also being asked to get in touch to add their memories to an oral history archive.
Excellence in Teacher Training
17 Aug 2009 The Faculty of Education has once again come in first place as the best place to in the country to get a Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCE) in the 2009 ![[pdf]](/images/fileicons/pdf.gif "[pdf]"){kind=small}
Good Teacher Training Guide. This is the third year running that our PGCE provision has been ranked at number one. Applications for entry onto our Early Years, Primary and Secondary Courses for 2010 open in September.
Understanding the causes of Dyscalculia
07 August 2009 The Faculty and the Centre for Neuroscience Education are delighted to announce a major new research grant of £1,003,391 from MRC. The grant has been awarded to Dénes Szücs, Usha Goswami and Tim Rowland, together with Rhodri Cusack from the University's Cognitive Brain Research Unit. The team will study multimodal imaging of parietal brain networks in adults and children with developmental dyscalculia, using both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electro-encephalography (EEG). Ultimately the research may determine the best way of characterising developmental dyscalculia, so that children can be offered optimal remediation as early as possible. Work will begin on 1 Oct 2009, and will continue for 3 years. More information can be found on the main university website.
The View of the Child: AHRC review of the Year
04 August 2009 In the 2008-9 AHRC review of the year, Dr Catherine Burke's Research workshop series - The View of the Child: Explorations of the Visual Culture of the Made Environment - is highlighted as one of the case studies (p38)
Professor elected Fellow
03 August 2009 Professor Usha Goswami has recently been elected as Fellow of the Association of Psychological Science (previously the American Psychological Society) in recognition of outstanding achievements in psychological science. http://www.psychologicalscience.org/
Research student wins prize
30 July 2009 A student in the Faculty of Education has just received a prize for delivering the 'best talk' at a major conference held at Cambridge University. Cleo Puggian, a research student from Brazil supervised by Professor John Gray, gave a presentation about her research on street children in Rio de Janeiro which she recently completed. An ethnographic study based on work with some 30 young men, it explored the reasons why they left left school for the streets and then, in some cases, re-engaged with education. The Cambridge 2009 Interdiscipinary Graduate Conference was held at the end of June as part of the University's 800 Celebrations and was organised by the Schools of Humanities & Social Sciences and Physical Sciences. The conference brought together research students from across the University to ask questions about how research can challenge the social, political and scientific status quo and how interdisciplinary communication can advance knowledge. In addition to the large number of papers that were presented, participants also heard keynote lectures from leading professors in the sciences and social sciences including Alan Macfarlane (offering perspectives from Social Anthropology), Lisa Jardine (Renaissance Studies) and John Daugman (Computing).
The Donald McIntyre Building
10 July 2009 The Faculty of Education is delighted to announce that the New Faculty Building has been officially named the Donald McIntyre Building in honour of the late Professor McIntyre who was one of the main figures behind the convergence of the Education Faculty's various parts into a single centre on Hills Road. The naming of the building is a fitting tribute to "a most profound educational thinker who dedicated his life to enabling others".
Language Learning at Key Stage 3 [Updated]
06 July 2009 The final report of Linda Fisher's and Michael Evans's study 'Language Learning at KS3: The Impact of the Key Stage 3 Modern Foreign Languages and Changes to the Curriculum on Provision and Practice' is published today (6 July) on the DSCF website. A variety of media outlets have covered the report, including the University, the Times, the BBC, the Guardian and the Telegraph.
Working with Bullying in Schools
2 July 2009 Hilary Cremin's talk at today's (2nd July) Eastern Region Anti-Bullying Alliance and Faculty of Education Conference into bullying, is featured in the University News.
Education Cambridge Issue 3
29 June 2009 The new issue of the EducationCambridge newsletter is now available as a PDF file for you to download. To request a hard copy please email newsletter@educ.cam.ac.uk
Alternative Settings for Trainee Teacher Development Other Than Schools
22 June 2009 Today (22/06) sees the launch of the new 'Alternative Settings for Placements' Project website. Borne out of a TDA funded Partnership Development Schools (PDS) initiative, Led by Philip Stephenson the 'Alternative Settings' project has sought to develop partnerships between ITE institutions and museum and gallery education departments. The aim has been to provide settings for teacher training other than schools that will complement and extend the already excellent training offerd within our partnership schools and those of the associated ITE providers. The website is to not only designed to disseminate the results and evaluation data from the 2008 09 pilot year but is also intended to grow as further partnerships develop.
The Centre for Commonwealth Education Summer School
22 June 2009 The Centre for Commonwealth Education Cambridge Summer School, began on the 21st June and will run until the 4th July. The first three days will focus on sharing expertise and on knowledge generation on leading, learning and improvement in a variety of contexts selected strategically from around the Commonwealth. It will also endeavour to build capacity through collaborative knowledge generation and on furthering this through collaborative networks. Furthermore it will explore potential for CCE to establish new links with other parts of the Commonwealth. The second part of the Summer School will be devoted to working intensively on the projects underway in East and West Africa with a view to building on the learning and developing the next stage of the projects.
New Professional Development Courses: Citizenship Education and PSHE
18 June 2009 Two new courses, Citizenship & Well-being in Schools and Restorative approaches to conflict in schools are perfect for teachers and others who are involved with Citizenship Education and PSHE. If you are interested in these courses please contact the PPD office quickly as they are due to start in Michaelmas Term.
"No more heroes" needed in schools
17 June 2009 If you want to find out more about Professor Peter Gronn's Inaugural Lecture 'Leadership: its genealogy, configuration and trajectory' why not read the University News Story and whet your appetite for Tonight's (17th) event.
Inaugural Lecture - Wednesday 17th
16 June 2009 take place on Wednesday 17 June 5.00-6.30 in the New Faculty Building Room GS4; followed by a Reception in Room GS5, 6.30pm onward.
Signature Success
10 June 2009 Teresa Quail, currently a second year MEd student (Educational Research) has been named as the regional 'Learner of the Year' by the 'Signature' organisation (who are concerned with communication with deaf people). Teresa, who works in one of our PGCE partnership schools (Jack Hunt, Peterborough) has been training as a specialist teacher of the deaf, and her MEd project is a case study looking at teaching science to a deaf pupil.
Citizenship and Well-being in Schools
09 June 2009 If you are interested in Citizenship, PSHE or Well-being you may want to apply to study on the new Masters route in Citizenship and Well-being in Schools. led by expert in the field, Hilary Cremin, the Masters will explore research and literature on pedagogy and practice for Citizenship and PSHE in schools, and will support participants to develop their practice and to investigate current provision in their school.
Times Undergraduate Success
04 June 2009 After the success in the Guardian, the Faculty of Education has been further buoyed by the new Times Good University Guide, Education League Table where we again score 100 out of 100, with the Education Tripos rated as the best place to study Education as an Undergraduate Degree in the country by a clear margin. If you are interested in studying the degree, why not attend our open day?
NRICH - Engaging Mathematics for all Learners
29 May 2009 This project, funded by the QCA, has involved the NRICH team working with seven schools on embedding rich tasks into their schemes of work. The outcomes have been the recent publication of two video case studies on the QCA website. One case study was based on the work at Sharrnbrook Upper School and the other at Comberton Village College. References to NRICH's work can also be found in the associated guidance booklet. In the near future there will also be a Teachers' TV programme based on the work and outcomes of the work in two of the schools as well as case studies published on the NRICH website itself. We would like to thank colleagues from all the schools involved in the project for their hard work and support: Comberton Village Project – Cambridgeshire; Gable Hall School - Thurrock; Longsands Community College – Cambridgeshire; Sawston Village College – Cambridgeshire; Sharnbrook Upper School - Bedfordshire; The Thomas Deacon Academy – Peterborough; The Range School – Sefton.
Developing Student Leadership
28 May 2009 PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED Tutors Judith Nash and Amanda Roberts will lead a course on Developing Student Leadership on Friday 19th June 2009. This course is designed for teachers, middle leaders and members of senior leadership teams who wish to develop practices which foster student and teacher learning partnerships and is being organised by the leadership for learning project. The course costs £80 and you can book your place now.
The New Undergraduate Part II
26 May 2009 With students on the new Education Tripos coming up to their final year, the faculty is delighted to unveil the course options that are available within the Education part II paper options. From the four Advanced Disciplines of Education through to the new Creativity and Thinking paper, the options available are both challenging and exciting, and those interested in study Education at Cambridge can read both short and full paper specifications to whet their appetites.
Guerilla Classics
26 May 2009 In this weekend's Guardian (Saturday 23rd May), Will Griffiths of the Cambridge Schools Classics Project features as part of an article looking at the CSCP research into the rise of Latin in the State Sector.
Bullying in Schools: Exploring the Interventions
22 May 2009 A joint Eastern Region Anti-Bullying Alliance and Faculty of Education Conference takes place on the 2nd of July. This conference explores the interventions that are used in schools to work effectively with bullying. The six most common interventions will be focused on by Professor Ken Rigby from South Australia, who is a world-leading researcher and writer on bullying. Other experienced practitioners, researchers and consultants will lead workshops to explore particular approaches such as restorative approaches, the method of shared concern and particular bullying issues will also be focused on e.g. cyber bullying, homophobic bullying. For more information and to book a place please see the booking form.
ESRC Seminar Series
22 May 2009 Hilary Cremin will lead an ESRC Seminar Series between October '09 – July '11 looking into Inter-disciplinary perspectives on restorative approaches to reducing conflict in schools: exploring theory and practice from cross-national and international settings Her co-investigators are Gillean McCluskey (Edinburgh University) and Dr Edd Sellman (Nottingham University).
SUPER e-discussion
18 May 2009 As part of the BERA Practitioner Research Special Interest Group discussions, Colleen McLaughlin is leading an e-discussion that focuses on Schools-university partnerships for educational research and arises from the work of the SUPER (Schools-university partnerships for educational research) project.
Internationalising Educational Research Cultures
18 May 2009 Today (18 May) the Faculty hosts the first of two BAICE workshops that aim to provide an opportunity to reflect on the 'internationalisation of higher education' in terms of educational research in a cross-cultural context, as well as exploring issues around pedagogy and practice in education faculties. The aim of these workshops is to establish an East of England partnership to bring together staff and graduate students working on educational or education-related research in the Centre for Commonwealth Education and the Centre for Education and International Development in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge and the Centre for Applied Research in Education (CARE)/School of Education and Lifelong Learning & School of Development Studies at the University of East Anglia.The second seminar will take place at UEA on the 22nd June.
International Education
13 May 2009 The Faculty has a large presence at the First International Conference on Educational Research for Development which is being held at Addis Ababa University from 13-15 May. Staff giving papers include Elaine Wilson, Ros McLellan, Hilary Cremin, Christine Counsel & Mark Winterbottom.
Undergraduate Success
11 May 2009 In the new 2010 Guardian University Guide, the Faculty of Education scores 100 out of 100, and is rated as the best place to study Education as an Undergraduate Degree in the country by a clear margin.
Spaces for musical creativity
7 May 2009 Pam Burnard will be giving the Keynote Address at the 3rd International Conference of the Greek Association of Primary Music Education Teachers in Athens this Saturday (9th May). Pam's speech is titled 'Spaces for musical creativity: Inspiring creative learning journeys in music education'.
Gates Scholar
6 May 2009 Thabo Msibi, an MPhil student at the Faculty is one of the new round of Gates Scholars announced today(6 May). The Faculty's Graduate community encompasses students from over 40 different countries.
The Nursery: Educational Toys
1 May 2009 David Whitebread appeared on Professor Regan's programme 'The Nursery', on BBC2 last night. Discussing the benefits of Educational Toys David, along with the Homerton Children's Centre appears around the 30 minute mark, and then returns for the last ten minutes of the programme. Note: the programme will only be available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days.
Latin in Schools
30 April 2009 In today's (30 April) Comment is Free section of the Guardian, Charlotte Higgins discusses the state of Latin teaching in state schools, highlighting the work done by the Cambridge Schools Classics Project. If you are interested in teaching Classics, why not think about our PGCE course.
Society for Educational Studies National Award
30 April 2009 Hilary Cremin and Carolynne Mason alongside Paul Warwick from University of Leicester and Tom Harrison from Community Service Volunteers (CSV) have been awarded the Society for Educational Studies National award for a project which seeks to investigate the ways in which young people from socio-economically disadvantaged communities express their civic identities, engage with their communities at local, national and global level, and reflect on processes of participation.
[Updated] Of Heffalumps, hunny and woozles
29 April 2009 Maria Nikolajeva's inaugural lecture takes place this evening, and if you wanted to know more about the event, the university news story about the lecture may whet your appetite for what Maria will discuss. The inaugral lecture has caught the attention of the press with multiple sources covering Maria's lecture. If you wish to attend the event please contact Susannah Lacon, Tel: 01223 767626 or Email: sml44@cam.ac.uk, as spaces are limited.
Educating the Child in Enlightenment Britain
29 April 2009 Mary Hilton has recently published Educating the Child in Enlightenment Britain, which she co-edited with Jill Sheffrin. The book is an interdisciplinary collection that examines the complex web of beliefs and methods by which culture was transmitted to young people in the long eighteenth century.
Morpurgo Visit
28 April 2009 On Friday, Michael Morpurgo visited the Faculty to give a master class on storytelling to students on the Undergraduate Degree who are studying the Children and Literature paper. The paper is one of the third year options which all Education students can choose to study.
The Nursery
27 April 2009 This Thursday (30th April) David Whitebread will appear in Professor Regan's programme 'The Nursery', on BBC2 at 9pm. Check back later in the week for a link to the BBC iPlayer.
Word of Mouth
24 April 2009 In this weeks episode of Radio 4's Word of Mouth, Michael Rosen has a look at the Cambridge Latin Course, which is run by the Cambridge Schools Latin Project, and is leading a resurgence of Latin teaching in state schools. Please note: The BBC iPlayer only keeps programmes for a week.
Undergraduate Open Day
24 April 2009 Are you passionate about Education? Do you want to combine a broad social science with a particular subject? Are you interested in teaching, in policy, in global issues in education? Why not come to the Faculty's Open Day on the 3rd of July and find out more.
Poetry at the British Library
23 April 2009 Over the last two days, the British library has hosted an International Poetry and Childhood Conference, organised by Morag Styles. Poets attending the conference included Jackie Kay, Carol Ann Duffy and, at a special event Poetry Laureate Andrew Motion and Childrens' Laureate Michael Rosen. This event has attracted publicity from the BBC as well as specialist writers' websites. The exhibition that accompanys the conference Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat continues until the end of June.
Blend Your Learning
17 April 09 From October 2009, the MEd Researching Practice will be offered as a blended learning route. This exciting development means that there is no weekly attendance at Faculty required: the course is instead a combination of online tutored materials and up to 5 Saturday conferences each year. The course offers the same high quality experience as a standard Cambridge Faculty of Education MEd, with full supervisor support, but with far more flexibility for busy teachers to define their own working patterns. The course is based on opportunities to research your own practice, in your own subject and phase, in your classroom and school. We look forward to hearing from you!
What is the Primary Curriculum for?
07 April 09 Writing in today's Guardian, Robin Alexander, the director of the Cambridge Primary Review, discusses the Commons schools select committee's report on the national curriculum.
BAICE success
02 April 2009 The Faculty are delighted to announce that the Student prize for a paper presented at the BAICE conference Glasgow, 2008, was won by Arathi Sriprakash for her paper: "Joyful learning in rural Indian Primary Schools: An analysis of social control in the context of child-centred discourses". Arathi is a current PhD student supervised by Madeleine Arnot.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat
02 April 09 Celebrating children's poetry from the 17th century to the present day, a new exhibition at the British Library features key poets and poems. The exhibition and accomanying conference has been organised by Morag Styles and Children's Laureate Michael Rosen. If you are interested in this area, you may be interested in the Critical Approaches to Children's Literature Masters which Morag co-convenes.
Encouraging minorities
01 April 09 Faculty Recruitment and Publicity Officer Nikhil Gomes was recently interviewed by the BBC about Ethnic Minority Students at Cambridge. The Education Undergraduate Degree is one of the most diverse degrees in Cambridge.
Fantastic Scholarship
30 March 09 Maria Nikolajeva has recently received the Distinguished Scholarship Award 2009 from the International Association of the Fantastic in Arts. Maria is Professor of Education and co-convenor on the Critical Approaches to Children's Literature Masters.
CHEAT
25 Mar 09 Education is replete with abbreviations and acronyms; they seem to reproduce like viruses. New abbreviations and acronyms appear frequently and even old hands can get a little confused. Richard Hickman, Reader in Art Education has put together the 'Cambridge Handbook of Educational Abbreviations and Terms' (CHEAT) which is aimed at both experienced professionals and potential entrants. It gives brief explanations of most of the educational abbreviations, acronyms and terms people working in education are likely to encounter - for the time being.
Develop Yourself!
20 Mar 09 Places are still available for several of the Faculty's excellent Professional Development courses. 'Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups is run in conjunction with the Nurture Group network', while thos interested in Careers Advice will find 'Getting Started on CEG' and 'Advising & Consulting on Careers Work' invaluable.
Fast Forward Mathematics
20 Mar 09 The exciting work being done by NRich as part of the Fast Forward Mathematics scheme continued this week with wore than 100 mathematics teachers from state schools in disadvantaged areas coming to Cambridge to look at how to make mathematics both accessible and challenging; and how to make it engaging whilst still maintaining the rigour.
Education Cambridge Issue 2
18 Mar 09 The new issue of the EducationCambridge newsletter is now available as a PDF file for you to download. To request a hard copy please email newsletter@educ.ac.uk.
PNE iPlayer
18 Mar 09 The episode of Horizon about early years education and featuring interviews with David Whitebread and Usha Goswami is now available as a BBC iPlayer video. Usha's section begins at the at the 5.30 minute mark, and David, along with the Homerton Children's Centre appears around the 9.30 minute mark. Note: the programme will only be available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days.
New Horizon
17 Mar 09 Tonight's episode of Horizon is about early years education and features interviews with David Whitebread and Usha Goswami. David's section also features some of the children from Homerton Children's Centre, one of the Early Years Partnership PGCE schools which is also involved in some of the research undertaken by the Faculty.
Citizenship and Well-being in Schools
16 Mar 09 A new Masters Module in Citizenship and Well-being in schools will explore research and literature on pedagogy and practice for Citizenship and PSHE in schools, and will support participants to develop their practice and to investigate current provision in their school. It will consider historical, philosophical and theoretical perspectives on Citizenship and Well-being in schools. This new Masters module, led by Hilary Cremin is being introduced in October 2009, and leads the Faculty through its innovative structure.
Thinking about Counselling?
13 Mar 09 Places are still available on the Introduction to Child and Adolescent Counselling course starting April 2009. A 60-hour course aimed at adults working with young people and children, who want to begin to develop some counselling skills and knowledge. It is aimed at all adults in the educational sector and in all phases of education and is particularly appropriate for those wishing to pursue the Advanced Diploma and Masters courses in counselling which, together, constitute a nationally accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor training.
Acts of Reading: Teachers, texts and Childhood
12 Mar 2009 Acts of Reading is an enchanting and scholarly review of the history of reading and texts for children, from the 18th century to the digital age and beyond. Co-Edited by Morag Styles, the book includes contributions from across Europe. Contributors include: David Whitely, Eve Bearne, Victor Watson, Janet Bottoms, Judith Graham and Vivienne Smith, many of whom have links to the Critical Approaches to Children's Literature Masters route.
2008 Research Assessment Exercise
10 Mar 2009 An impressive grade point average of 2.85 was achieved by the Faculty of Education in the recent 2008 Research Assessment exercise, placing us as one of the top education institutions within the UK in research excellence, and close to the Cambridge University average. 64.6% of research outputs were assessed to be either 3* or 4*. The research environment was considered strong, with excellent leadership across a coherent structure of Academic Groups. Research funding was considered to be at a very high level, with a significant amount of funding from the most competitive sources and clear evidence of the impact of research on both policy and professional practice.
Making the Most of our Minds
06 Mar 2009 Join top scientists Barbara Sahakian, Usha Goswami, Felicity Huppert and Sandy Thomas in a discussion on improving mental capital and wellbeing. Chaired by Tim Radford of the Guardian, the session takes place on Wed. 11th March, 7.30pm - Judge Business School, Trumpington Street. (please note this is a ticketed event. RSVP Marielle Smith, marielle.smith@admin.ac.uk)
CNE at the Cambridge Science Festival
04 Mar 2009 Everyone is welcome to join us for a number of activities being offered by the Centre for Neuroscience Education on Saturday the 14th of March at the Faculty as part of the University's Science Festival. Usha Goswami will be giving a talk from 11.00-11.45 on how EEG can help us to understand the sensory processing differences that can give rise to learning difficulties like dyslexia. (Note: this is a ticketed event - please email nd241@cam.ac.uk to book a place.) Meanwhile the EEG lab tours and a number of hands-on activities for children (computer games, craft activities, etc) will be running from 11.00 until 2.00pm.
Postdoctoral Excellence
25 Feb 2009 Rachael Levy, who has recently completed her PhD has been awarded the 2009 UKLA Student Research Prize (Postgraduate) for her dissertation 'Becoming a reader in a digital age'. While undertaking her PhD, Rachael was supervised by Eve Bearne and Linda Hargreaves. Rachael has also been awarded funding for an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship to commence in September. She will be working with Professor Jackie Marsh at the University of Sheffield for the duration of the appointment.
Primary Talking Point
23 Feb 2009 The publication of the Cambridge Primary Review's special report on Friday garnered a large amount of national press coverage, including lead articles in the Guardian, the BBC, and the Independent, and significant coverage in the Times and the Telegraph. Over the weekend the report continued to provoke comment and debate, with The Guardian editorial arguing that "The Cambridge report is one of those rare documents which one reads and then says: yes, that's exactly how it is, that's what is wrong with the way things are being done and, yes, that's the way a better system ought to be run."
Cambridge Primary Review Curriculum Report
20 Feb 2009 The Cambridge Primary Review published its two-part special report on the primary curriculum February 20th. Towards a New Primary Curriculum is in two parts, published separately and downloadable from the Review's website. Part 1 identifies the questions which need to be addressed, describes current arrangements for the primary curriculum and sets them in historical and international context. It then reveals what the Review's evidence says about existing curriculum strengths and weaknesses, and about what needs to change. Part 2 summarises the main points from this evidence, highlights other matters in need of resolution, and sets out proposals for reform.
A Taste of Teaching: D & T and Sciences
13 Feb 2009 As part of the Cambridge Science Festival, tutors from the outstanding Science and Design & Technology Secondary PGCE courses will be on hand to give an insight on how to become a teacher. The session is on the 12 March 18:00 - 19:30, and further details are available to ![[doc]](/images/fileicons/doc.gif "[doc]"){kind=small}
download.
The State of CPD
11 Feb 2009 Yesterday Dave Pedder visited the House of Commons to talk about the State of the Nation's CPD at the Parliamentary research seminar: Better Training: Better teachers? Professional development at the Faculty of Education can be accessed through our PPD programme.
Reading Matters
10 Feb 2009 Last night's BBC4 Programme, Why Reading Matters, featured an interview with Usha Goswami, Director of the Centre for Neuroscience in Education. Usha is featured at around the 15 minute mark. Note: the programme will only be available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days.
Creative Fellow
09 Feb 2009 The work being undertaken by Bill Nicholl in the field of creativity within Design and Technology has been recognised through his nomination for a fellowship of the Royal Society of the Arts. The nomination came from the RSA's director of Design, and the impact of the research is being carried into the teaching of the PGCE in Design and Technology.
Paradise Podcast
02 Feb 2009 Abigail Rokison and students from the Undergraduate Education with English and Drama degree took part in the recording of the whole of Paradise lost as part of the Festival of Ideas in Cambridge. The podcast is available for download now.
Developing Primary Maths
30 Jan 2009 Fay Turner, Tim Rowland, Peter Huckstep and Anne Thwaites have recently published Developing Primary Mathematics Teaching. The book helps teachers to become better, more confident teachers of mathematics by enabling them to focus critically on what they know and what they do in the classroom. Building on close observation of primary mathematics classrooms, the book provide those starting out in the teaching profession with a four-stage framework which acts as a tool of support for developing their teaching.
Interpreting, Evaluating and NRiching
22 Jan 2009 This month's NRich theme is Interpreting and Evaluating. The 'Notes' that accompany each problem are there to help give teachers an insight into how 'Interpreting and Evaluating' might happen in the classroom and lead to rich mathematical activity and discussion. NRich have been working hard with teachers who are already integrating NRich tasks into their mathematics curriculum, and have so far run four collaborative writing days producing material which we hope will form case studies for the QCA website.
School based Research
21 Jan 2009 School Based Research, a new book published this week will help new teachers beginning to use research literature to ask questions about published work, showing that the nature of knowledge sought, and how such knowledge is justified, depends on the standpoint from which questions are asked, what sorts of answers are deemed researchable and the audience to whom results are to be addressed. Edited by Elaine Wilson, and with contributions from members of the Faculty PGCE team, the book is aimed at trainee teachers on the new M-level PGCE courses.
Influentials 2009
20 Jan 2009 Evidence of media recognition that the Cambridge Primary Review's final report will be of great importance and influence is reflected in two recent articles. In a special list highlighting those people who it thinks are going to be particularly significant in 2009, the Evening Standard names Professor Robin Alexander, Director of the Cambridge Primary Review, under 'Education'. The Review's independence and scale are emphasised. The BBC, meanwhile, have also highlighted the Cambridge Primary Review's importance over the coming year, noting its wider scope and independence when compared to the Rose Review of the primary curriculum.
The Science of Life Long Learning
20 Jan 2009 What does new research, especially in neuroscience, tell us about the scope for and best methods of lifelong learning in the context of an ageing society? This evening Professor Usha Goswami will take part in a panel discussion on life long learning organised by the RSA in association with the Inquiry into the Future of Lifelong Learning.
Sutton Trust Summer School
19 Jan 2009 This summer the Faculty of Education will be running a Sutton Trust Summer School for the first time. The Summer Schools are subject-specific courses for Year 12 students that are intended to provide participants with an insight into life as a first-year undergraduate studying at the University of Cambridge. The summer school will include lectures, seminars, discussion groups, practical work and social activities, with the students residing in a Cambridge College. More information can be found on the Sutton trust or the Cambridge Admissions Office websites.
Creativity and Arts Assessment
16 Jan 2009 Pam Burnard, in collaboration with Professor Sam Leong from the Hong Kong Institute of Education have been successful in acquiring a Research Grants Council funding for HK $900,750 which aims to identify the models and principles of good design in arts assessment and the forms of assessment that encompass creativity as a learning outcome in Music and Visual Arts. This mixed method study will run for 2 years and is entitled 'CREATIVITY AND ARTS ASSESSMENT IN CURRICULUM REFORM: PATTERNS OF ASSESSMENT DESIGN, PREPARATION AND COURSE DELIVERY IN KEY STAGES 2, 3, AND 4'.
Return to the Secret Garden?
15 Jan 2009 Last Friday the PLACE research group held a symposium "Return to the Secret Garden" looking at the interim report from Sir Jim Rose's Primary Review, with the aim of drafting a written response to the findings laid out in the report.
Free School Thinker
14 Jan 2009 Professor John MacBeath has recently been interviewed for The Guardian newspaper by journalist Peter Wilby. You can read this extensive discussion of John's work online.
25 years of the British Journal of Music Education
12 Jan 2009 At the end of last term, the British Journal of Music Education, co-edited by Pam Burnard celebrated it's 25th anniversary with a symposium at the Faculty of Education. The focus of the symposium was Teacher Research and over 60 colleagues not only from the United Kingdom but also from Ireland, Norway, Italy and the USA were in attendance.
Do Schools Have to Be Boring?
07 Jan 2009 School, a new book jointly authored by Cathy Burke & Ian Grosvenor has been recently reviewed by the author Alison Lurie in the New York Review of Books (note: fee required for full article).
The Role of Journals
06 Jan 2009 Yesterday evening's seminar on the role and future of educational journals celebrated 35 years of the Cambridge Journal of Education. Short papers from early editors including David Bridges, John Beck and John Elliott paved the way for lively and informed discussions. Seminal papers from the journal's history have been collected together in the book Curriculum and the Teacher: 35 Years of the Cambridge Journal of Education.
Editor-in-Chief
05 Jan 2009 Madeleine Arnot has recently been elected Editor in Chief of the British Journal of Sociology of Education to take up position from June 2009. She will be taking over editing duties from Professor Len Barton on what is the leading journal in the field.
RAE Success
18/12/08: Colleagues will be delighted at the Faculty's RAE outcome: a grade point average of 2.85 and a Cambridge wide score of 2.975. 30%. This is extremely pleasing, and rewards everyones efforts in achieving this excellent outcome. Particularly thanks go to Ken for his enormous commitment and dedication in leading us through this potential minefield with such foresight and determination, and Diane for all she has done for the Education community nationally in serving on the RAE panel. More.
Fast Forward Maths
18/12/08: The second Fast Forward Study School being run by NRICH starts today. For more details of this programme funded by Goldman Sachs go to the nrich website.
Accessible Science
17/12/08: Students from Norwood School in South London came to the Faculty last week to talk to students on the PGCE Science courses in order to give them useful strategies that help support students with English as an Additional Language. Find out more about the Secondary Science PGCE
DCSF Foresight
16/12/08: Usha Goswami was invited to present the results of the Foresight project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing to the Director Generals at DCSF on Monday 7 December. There was considerable interest in the evidence base on children's learning and learning difficulties, and she was asked a range of questions including how this evidence related to the review of the primary curriculum being undertaken by Sir Jim Rose. It seems likely that she will be asked to go back in January to give a fuller presentation on the implications to a larger audience. More.
Excel at Maths
15/12/08: Jennifer Piggott and Graeme Brown have just published Excel at Mathematics - a book with a focus on problem solving using spreadsheets. The book is the fourth in the NRich "Maths Trails" series. More.
University Journals and their audience
12/12/08: An open research seminar to mark the publication of Nigel Norris (Ed.) (2008) Curriculum and the Teacher: 35 Years of the Cambridge Journal of Education will be held on Monday 5 January 2009 at 5.00 pm. Short papers from early editors including David Bridges, John Beck and John Elliott will be used to lead discussion. RSVP to Anne Chippindale amc61@cam.ac.uk
Further information from Peter Cunningham pjc36@cam.ac.uk
Faculty Christmas Hours
11/12/08: The Faculty will be closed from 1230 on the 24th Dec and will reopen on Friday 2nd Jan. There will be no access during this time.
Leverhulme Fellowship
11/12/08: Professor Usha Goswami been recently been awarded a Major Research Fellowship by the Leverhulme Trust for 2 years, starting 1 October 2009. She was one of 29 successful applicants out of a total of 211. More.
Nuturing Communication
10/12/08: Helen Bradford, Senior lecturer in Early Years Education has just published, Communication, Language and Literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The book gives practical ideas and activities and includes suggestions for the innovative use of everyday resources, popular books and stories. More.
1000th teacher
02/12/08: The London borough of Redbridge celebrated the 1000th teacher recruited since 2000, with the appointment of Nicola Campbell, who successfully landed a job at Fullwood Primary School in Barkingside. Nicola completed her PGCE at the Faculty of Education and spent a couple of years working in Africa prior to starting teaching. More.
Student Centred
27/11/08: Last week Sue Swaffield gave a key note speech about her research into student-centred learning and how to implement it in the classroom to over 300 educators from schools across India. The speech was part of the Towards a student-centred classroom conference in Mumbai hosted by Cambirdge International Examinations. In total, 120 schools were represented at the event - more than at any other previous CIE conference in India. More.
TES Trainee
24/11/08: Lauren Kiss, one of the Secondary Art and Design Trainees has been featured in this week's TES Magazine. In her piece Lauren writes about her experience of being a trainee so far, and how she is "so excited and feel so lucky to be learning so much." More.
Really Useful Creativity
21/11/08: Dominic Wyse and Pam Dowson have recently published the "Really Useful Creativity Book" aimed at teachers and trainee teachers. It aims to help teachers develop creativity in their classrooms. Dominic is Lecturer in Early Years and Primary Education and Pam is an experienced and creative teacher at one of our partner schools -St Mary's, Mildenhall - and has worked with the Primary English team. More.
Partner Power!
18/11/08: In this weekend's Sunday Times Parent Power Supplement, three of our PGCE partnership schools were recognised for their excellence. Parkside Community College, was one of the Top State Schools with no Sixth Form, Hills Road, one of the top sixth form colleges, and Chrishall Holy Trinity and St Nicholas Primary, one of the top small state schools. Congratulations! More.
NRICH Enriched
17/11/08: On November 10th, NRICH launched a new look site. The changes are designed with teachers in mind, with a special teacher menu to help find the wealth of available resources, as well of course as a student menu. We have introduced a News Page with information about what the project team is up to in addition to the production of the website. With another record month for visits and hits in November (over 11.5 million hits) the website is obviously making a difference.
One major event for us was the first of three linked Teacher Inspiration Days. The hundred teachers who attended will be returning to Cambridge in the Spring and Summer terms to extend ideas and talk about what they have learnt as they try things out back in their schools. Some feedback from participants include:
"Lots of ideas - nice to have chance to try them out in the role of the pupil with other people - don't get enough time to do that at school "
"All excellent, really enjoyed the day and well worth the long journey. Look forward to next session. "
"Very interesting day with lots of ideas to make pupils 'mathematicians'. "
If you are not registered for our newsletter, which will keep you up to date with our work and changes to the website, now is the time to do something about it! Click here.
BBC Interviews
14/11/2008: Two visits by separate BBC teams, one from Scotland and the other the Horizon Programme have recently taken place at the Faculty. Interviewing Usha Goswami on the science of reading, the BBC Scotland team are making a documentary programme for BBC4 called "Why Reading Matters" - broadcast date to be advised. The second interview, conducted by David Baddiel, forms part of a series of Horizon programmes on the science of education and learning to be broadcast February/March 2009. More.
Dr Gerard Duveen (1951 – 2008)
12/11/08: Former colleagues and friends of Gerard Duveen will be sad to learn that Gerard passed away on November the 8th. A full obituary can be found here.
Design and Technology Trainees Speak
05/11/08: Are you interested in the Design and Technology PGCE? Why not find out about the course directly from the trainees? Trainees from 06/07 and 07/08 cohorts contributed to a video which is available to stream or download here.
Money Matters
3/11/08: Expenditure on secondary education has increased considerably in recent years. But what has it yielded in terms of improved school performance? In a report last week for the DCSF, John Gray in collaboration with Jean Mangan and Geoff Pugh of Staffordshire University has estimated the impact of expenditure increases over time - contrary to some previous research, spending more does make a difference. More.
Museums and Literacy
30/10/08: Dominic Wyse and Philip Stephenson have recently been awarded a grant from the Museums, Libraries and Archive Council. The proposed research will investigate ways that museum-based learning can enhance primary pupils' writing. The research will focus on one primary school for each of the Museum sites which are part of the Renaissance East of England Hub; Ely Stained Glass Museum, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, and Fitzwilliam Museum. Helen Bradford, will be heavily involved with the design, collection and analysis of data and the interpretation and presentation of results.
Research Funding Roadshow
29/10/08: If you are looking for funding why not go to the University Centre between 10am – 3pm on, Wednesday 12 November 2008. The Funding roadshow is there for you to drop in anytime to speak to funder representatives about the various funding schemes available, potential opportunities and advice on applications. Workshops will also be held throughout the day and will be led by ESPRC, Knowledge Transfer partnerships (KTP), Leverhulme Trust, Nuffield Foundation, The Royal Society, UK Research Office (European Funding) and Wellcome Trust. more.
Creative Pedagogy
27/10/08: Maurice Galton recently published a final report The Pedagogy of Creative Practitioners in Schools which explored the pedagogy used by successful artists (creative partners) to bring about transformations in pupils' attitudes to (and motivation for) learning, particularly among those disaffected pupils of an anti-school disposition. A copy of the report is available to download here.
Inspiring Maths
23/10/08: More than 100 maths teachers from schools in disadvantaged areas will take part in a series of innovative workshops designed to inspire them to teach their subject in more creative and challenging ways. The sessions are being run in partnership between NRICH, the millenium maths project and the Group to Encourage Ethnic Minority Applicants (GEEMA). More.
Foresight: Mental Capital and Wellbeing
22/10/2008: Professor Usha Goswami was one of 5 science co-ordinators for the Government Office for Science Foresight project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing, which was launched today at the Houses of Parliament. The project draws together the current international science base on helping us all to make the most of our mental resources and to enjoy flourishing lives. Going from the cradle to very old age, the project offers a vision for the Government to develop a new approach to mental capital and wellbeing throughout the life course. Professor Goswami advised in particular on the science of learning difficulties and optimising developmental trajectories for all children. Further information can be found here. ADDENDUM An article, co-authored by Usha, on the project has been published in Nature.
Authors of Month
21/10/08: The Faculty's strength in research has been highlighted by Routledge's featured author of the month. In September the work of Robin Alexander was celebrated, this month has seen the focus shift to John MacBeath and in November Madeline Arnot will take on the mantle. More information on the world class research undertaken at the faculty can be found here.
TES/NASEN Award Winner
20/10/08: The faculty is delighted to congratulate Kristine Black-Hawkins, Lani Florian and Martyn Rouse for winning the TES/NASEN academic book award 2008 for Achievement and Inclusion in Schools. We are elated that their research has been recognised nationally in this way. The judges commended the book's argument that inclusion and academic achievement are not incompatible and looks at strategies to make both happen. More.
Exploring Talk in School
17/10/08: An invited conference on the topical theme of raising the quality of classroom dialogue will be held in the Faculty of Education on the 21st and 22nd of October. Inspired by the work of the pioneering British educational researcher Douglas Barnes (who will attend) and organised by Prof. Neil Mercer, it involves leading scholars from the UK and the USA including Prof Courtney Cazden (University of Harvard), Prof. Judith Green (University of California), Prof. Phil Scott (University of Leeds) and Professors Robin Alexander and Maurice Galton of the University of Cambridge. It will also launch a book on the topic, Exploring Talk in School , (Ed. Mercer & Hodgkinson: Sage). Find out more about the research currently being undertaken at the faculty.
Counselling Fellowship
17/10/08: Colleen McLaughlin has been awarded a fellowship by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in recognition of her contribution to the field of counselling and psychotherapy. Her work has focussed on children and young people as well as counselling in schools. Find out more about our Accredited Counselling Training.
Teachers Under Pressure
15/10/08: Six members of the Faculty attended the launch of the book by Maurice Galton and John MacBeath Teachers Under Pressure at the House of Commons. Baroness Pauline Perry spoke eloquently for the Conservatives and David Laws gave a view from the Lib Dems with John Bangs representing the NUT with a powerful presentation. Press coverage of the story can be found here. ADDENDUM: The Times Educational Supplement covered the story research here.
What About Us?
14/10/08: Today sees the publication of research that examines how the experiences of students with learning difficulties in mainstream education could be improved, along with a best practice website - "What About Us?" The research is covered in the mainstream press and the university website. If you are interested in this area of Educational Research, why not think about the Masters in Inclusive Education?
International STeM: Turkish Science and mobile technologies in the Global South
10/10/08: Next week sees two exciting talks hosted by STeM. On Monday Oktay Bektas, sponsored by the Turkish Government will talk about his research into the possible reform its school science to be more like that in countries such as England. While on Tuesday, Tom Power from the Open University will examine the new opportunities that are emerging for school based professional development, enhanced by the use of mobile technologies in Africa and Asia. More.
Able Underachievement
07/10/08: Does labelling students gifted affect them and their peers? Hei Jean Ahn's recent BERA paper "A comparison of stress factors, coping strategies and motivation in gifted and non-gifted students" addressed this question, with articles in the TES highlighting the motivational by-product of labelling students gifted, along with the subsequent dangers of stress, anxiety and underachievement. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME OF THE QUOTES ATTRIBUTED TO HEI WITHIN THE ARTICLE ARE QUOTES FROM HER CONFERENCE REPORT AND HAVE BEEN MISATTRIBUTED BY THE TES.
Undergraduates Return
06/10/08: This week sees the beginning of the new academic year as first year Education Tripos undergraduates join returning second and third year students on the path towards their first degree. Hello and Welcome to the Faculty! More.
NRICHing 10 Million
06/10/08: The STeM mathematics enrichment project NRICH continues to make an impact in many schools and homes around the world. During September the site received 10 million hits. This number is indicative of how much NRICH is valued both by teachers and many other individuals who come across the site. The curriculum mapping documents are highly valued by the community as are the teacher notes that now accompany all the problems that are produced.
During the year NRICH will be running a series of three "Teacher Inspiration Days". Attendance is free (funded by Goldman Sachs) and the same one hundred teachers will attend all three days. There were more teachers wishing to come along than there were places, which is another indicator of NRICH's popularity.
Street Art
02/10/08: Ever wondered what the Masters courses entail? Got your PhD and PPD mixed up? Need to know your Primary PGCE from your Education Tripos? Not sure what subjects you can do as part of secondary PGCE? Fear not: the New Faculty Building's Street has been transformed with displays from each our our courses. The course displays are in place as part of the start of a new academic year. Why not stop and find out more?
Mastering Politics, Development and Democratic Education
01/10/08: The EED research group are pleased to announce a new globally focussed Masters course - Politics Development and Democratic Education - which will encourage participants to engage critically with educational policy, practice and provision in global, national, institutional and temporal contexts, and to move between the macro, structural levels of historical change and development to psycho-social processes. It offers opportunities to consider a wide range of ameliorative and democratic educational reforms in the context of nations that are income-rich and/or in developing economies. Find out more on our new Graduate Study pages.
Outstanding Training
26/09/08: The Faculty of Education's status as one of the leading providers of initial teacher education and training has once again been confirmed by OFSTED . In its recent inspection, Ofsted judged the course - which prepares 250 new secondary teachers in most subjects of the National Curriculum - to be outstanding, with a partnership which offer 'leading edge' training particularly in relation to subject knowledge and pedagogy, and continues to achieve its aim of preparing excellent teachers. More.
New Trainees
16/09/08: This week sees the beginning of a new year as the first of the 2008/09 PGCE Trainees come to the faculty to register and take the first steps towards QTS status. Hello and Welcome to the Faculty! More.
Accredited Counselling
15/09/08: The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) have given their seal of approval to the Faculty's counselling training programme. The counselling training on offer at the Faculty starts at an introductory level, and carries on through to a masters qualification. Find out more.
TONY ADAMS
11/09/08: Former colleagues and friends of Tony Adams will be sad to learn that Tony died peacefully on September 3rd., 2008. Tony was Lecturer at the University of Cambridge School of Education for 27 years, 1972-1999, where he worked extensively as PGCE Lecturer for English. He was a former Director of Studies for Education at Trinity Hall, also of Wolfson, Christ's and Trinity College, Dublin. Tony was an inspirational educator, writer, trainer of generations of English teachers and advocate of European education. A family funeral is being held on Friday September 12, with a memorial service later in the term.
Tony's colleague, Sue Brindley, has set up an online memorial site, primarily for Tony's many international friends who can't attend either his funeral or his memorial service because of distance. Colleagues and friends are invited to leave messages on the site, which can be found at http://tonyadams.legacy.com
New Mentor Training
09/09/2008: On the 15th and 17th of September, new PGCE mentors will be out in Cottenham Village College and Saffron Walden County High School learning skills that will enable them to fully support the Cambridge PGCE students they will be mentoring. The September training days are complemented by a session in the Faculty of Education in February, and can be extended through the level 2 mentoring qualifications offered as part of the Faculty's Practitioner Professional Development. If you are a new mentor and haven't yet signed up for these events, please contact Ursula Clarke on urc20@cam.ac.uk
Youth cultures meet school choice policy in the new global city of Vancouver
09/09/2008:What theoretical and methodological approaches can help guide school choice researchers in exploring the complex ways young people are involved and embroiled in the educational policy of school choice? Ee-Seul Yoon a PhD student at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, will be approaching the questions on Wednesday 10th September 2.30 - 4.30pm as a guest of the EED academic group.
Mastering Primary Education
08/09/2008: A new Primary Education Masters course is being launched this October fusing research and theoretical understandings with the current priorities in primary practice. Participants will be introduced to the best quality national and international educational research in primary education, explore possibilities for developing the primary curriculum, pedagogy and learning and develop the skills to contribute to policy improvement. The course is designed and will be led by the Associate Directors of The Primary Review, due to publish its Final Report in 2009.
Beyond the Lecture Hall
02/09/2008: Beyond the Lecture Hall, running from the 5-7th of September will look at the history of universities' engagement with the wider world. A preview of what is to come ad can be found here.