BA English, The University of Exeter, 1980-1983
PGCE Secondary English,  The University of Birmingham, 1991-1992
M Ed, The University of Birmingham, 1994-1998
Ed D, The University of Birmingham,  in progress

Profile

I took up the position of Lecturer in English Education in September 2007. My teaching posts in secondary education included Head of English 1996-2002; and Deputy Headteacher of a large comprehensive school 2002-2005. I have taught in five comprehensive schools in Sandwell, Birmingham and Worcestershire. After graduating I worked in retail management in Blackpool, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Birmingham.

Responsibilities held within the School

Lecturer in English Education

Research and Projects Interests

My recently submitted thesis entitled Birmingham secondary school headteachers: What are the similarities and differences between women and men with a particular focus on their approach to pupil diversity explores the experience of women and men headteachers becoming and being secondary school headteachers in Birmingham. Their experiences are compared with the experiences of secondary headteachers nationally. The most selected quality by women and men headteachers was ‘awareness of individual differences’. This led to the exploration of headteachers’ perception of and provision for pupil and staff diversity. The concept of Personalising Learning is of particular interest as a way of ensuring that schools cater for pupil diversity.

I am also interested in the teaching of citizenship and human rights through English.

Teaching Interests

I teach the PGCE English course and supervise dissertation students on the M Ed Teaching Studies course.

Publications