Education and Teacher Training staff
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Shahla Sheasby
Senior Teaching Fellow
Shahla has worked at BCU since 2014 and she has had multiple roles. She is currently the Chemistry Module Lead (since 2016) for the Graduate Certificate Subject (Chemistry) Knowledge Enhancement course, where her SKE course was one of four Universities accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (in 2017), and she has been ...
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Dominique Simpson
Senior Lecturer in Primary and Early Years Education
Dominique is an experienced Primary and Early Years teacher who has led Early Years phases across a variety of settings, including both the state and independent sectors. She has held subject leadership roles in History, Drama and ICT, reflecting her broad pedagogical expertise. As an Early Years Advisory Teacher in...
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Dr Rebecca Snape
PhD student and Assistant Lecturer in Education
Dr Rebecca Snape started working at BCU in 2015, firstly as a Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, and then as a Visiting Lecturer. She is now working as a Lecturer in Education Studies.
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Mark Stares
Senior Lecturer in Primary English
Mark taught in a number of inner city Birmingham schools for 22 years before joining BCU. His roles as Assistant Head and Deputy Head Teacher were varied but included leading on English; leading Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and 2; mentoring and supporting staff and teaching students; leading on assessment and undertaking...
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William Swaithes
Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Will has over 20 years’ experience in education with previous roles including Advanced Skills Teacher, Specialist Leader in Education, Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning and Head of PE and Achievement for the Youth Sport Trust (YST). Will completed his Masters in Educational Leadership in 2020. Alongside his role with...
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Suzanne Swan
Senior Lecturer
Suzanne is a Senior Lecturer in Primary and Early Years Education. She is a passionate teacher and early career researcher. At BCU she teaches both the PGCE Primary & Early Years and BA (QTS) courses. She is also a Personal Development Tutor supporting students in university and on placement. Suzanne was a primary school...
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Khadija Tai
Lecturer, Placement Coordinator and First Placement Module Lead
Khadija qualified in 2006 and first practised as a children and families social worker in Birmingham before moving on to management in 2012. In 2020, she delivered strategic services in Sandwell as a service manager within safeguarding and court work, before joining Birmingham City University social work department in May 2023...
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Kerry Taylor
Senior Lecturer
Kerry is currently leading the PGCE Science routes teaching on both the Professional Studies module and Subject Pedagogy module where she specialises in biology education. Professional Studies aim to prepare trainees for the wider role of the teacher, considering aspects of the profession concerned with safeguarding and prevent...
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Gemma Taylor
Course Leader for Secondary Education with QTS and Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Gemma joined BCU in September 2021 as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education (PE) after teaching PE in Secondary Schools in the Worcestershire area. Gemma has recently been appointed Course Leader for the Secondary Physical Education with QTS course, with responsibility for both University- and School-Based Teaching for...
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Helen Thomas BSc, PGCE, PGCert(HE), MA Ed, CPhys, MInstP, FHEA
PGCE Subject Route Leader for the Sciences and Senior Lecturer in Science Education
Helen taught science and physics in particular for 17 years in schools, 6th form college and FE before joining Birmingham City University. Responsibilities included GCSE Science Course Leader and Head of Physics. Helen's move to the University led from catching the research bug whilst completing a Master's degree combined with...