Lecturer in Primary Education (English)

Transcription

1 Lecturer in Primary Education (English) College of Social Science School of Education Salary Grade 8-36,298 to 44,607 Ref: SSC00383 At Leicester we re going places. Ranked in the top 12 universities in Britain our aim is to climb further. A commitment to high quality fused with an inclusive academic culture is our hallmark and led the Times Higher Education to describe us as elite without being elitist. We are seeking to appoint a talented teacher as a Lecturer in Primary Education to make a major contribution to the teaching of English within the Primary PGCE course. Experience of teaching in the UK Education system is essential, and experience of Early Years/Foundation Stage would be particularly welcome. Teaching will include Primary PGCE English and contributions to more generic aspects of the Primary course. You should also be able to contribute to Masters level teaching. This post is offered as either a teaching dominant lectureship, with a focus on teaching and academic leadership, or as a teaching and research lectureship for a candidate able to play a full role in the research activity of the School. The University There s never been a more exciting time to join us. At the University of Leicester we are enjoying research success on a world stage and gathering the awards and plaudits to match. A judge in a recent awards ceremony described Leicester as elite without being elitist. We are proud to be elite. But we are at least as proud to be an inclusive and progressive university. This commitment to high quality, an inclusive academic culture and belief in the synergy of teaching and research are our hallmarks. We believe that teaching is inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world-changing research that is delivered in an academic community that includes postgraduate as well as undergraduate students. Our approach to research yields great rewards. Our research impact, measured by citations per academic, is the sixth highest in the UK. Our success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise saw Quality Related research income rise by 18% placing us firmly amongst Britain s top 20 research universities by this measure. The RAE also revealed that Leicester is home to Britain s top-rated research department Museum Studies which has the highest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK. For a University that believes teaching and research are synergistic, it is pleasing that the National Student Survey reveals the quality of our teaching is amongst the highest in the country. Since the launch of the survey in 2006, Leicester has consistently featured amongst the top-10 universities in

2 England for student satisfaction. The Sunday Times recently described Leicester as "top... amongst mainstream multi-faculty universities for student satisfaction". Currently a University of 23,000 students, with a turnover of 230m and 3,800 colleagues, our future is bright. Our Strategic Vision describes our plans to invest a billion pounds in our estate as we transform our campus. Already ranked in the top-12 universities in Britain, by 2015 we aim to rise further to become top-10. Leicester is the most inclusive of Britain s top-20 universities with the greatest proportions of students from under-represented groups. As a group of talented individuals we are more diverse than ever and stronger for it. At Leicester we are proud of our distinct approach, our achievements and our ambitious plans. If you share our approach join us. College of Social Science This is a great time to be part of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Leicester. The College is committed to pursuing excellence in teaching and learning, research and enterprise and the administration of our activities. We share the University s ambition to become one of the top 150 universities in the world and we seek to align our activities with the pursuit of that ambition. The College s nine departments cover a wide range of social science disciplines as well as supporting interdisciplinary work. We are home to nearly 11,000 students and 350 staff. We are in a financially healthy position, owing to a diverse range of income sources. Our teaching is successful and growing, with substantial growth in our student population since 2004/5. A high demand for student places is underpinned by innovative offerings particularly at postgraduate level and through distance learning. We are passionate about both teaching and research and committed to providing our students with a research-led teaching environment where academic excellence is combined with a friendly student-centred learning experience. We are proud of our consistently high scores in the National Student Survey. We undertake world-class research in a range of disciplines, including from interdisciplinary perspectives. Our policy related and applied work links our academics to governments, third sector and commercial organisations in the UK, Europe and across the world. There were strong performances in the RAE2008 from a number of departments and we are now building on that upward trajectory by investing in staff and PhD studentships and by supporting individual researchers with a range of initiatives to help them grow and develop their research. School of Education You will be joining a dynamic and diverse School of Education, with particular strengths in educational leadership and management, mathematics and science education, social justice and education for sustainable development, innovative pedagogies and professional learning, and applied linguistics and English language teaching. The School performed strongly in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. 80% of staff were entered for the RAE, including a number of early career researchers, and the overwhelming majority (fourfifths) of research was deemed internationally significant. The School has a clear mission and values statement as follows: We believe that all young people have the right to benefit from a first class school and education system that meets their needs. We carry out world class research and scholarship which makes a positive difference to educational settings, teachers, and young people and changes public policy. University of Leicester 2 11 April 2013

3 The School of Education is based in a group of buildings on University Road, a few minutes walk from the main campus of the University and from the railway station. The School has an excellent reputation for its Initial Teacher Education, offers Masters and Doctoral programmes through traditional campus-based routes and through Distance Learning. The School currently has around 40 academic staff, of which five are Professors, plus a number of Associate Tutors. The professional services team for the School numbers approximately 30 staff, led by the Director of Administration. The Regional Centre for Science Learning East Midlands is also located within the School. Research in the School of Education Research activity within the School is led by the Director of Research supported by the Department Research Committee. To provide further stimulus and support for research activity, we have Special Interest Groups in the following areas: Engagement and Vulnerability in Education, Language and Discourse Analysis, Pedagogy and Innovation in Mathematics and Science, Education for Social Justice Educational Leadership and Management Matters, Participatory Approaches: Innovation and Reform in Education, Testing and Assessment and Language Teaching, Learning, and Use Research mentoring is provided by senior staff who monitor and support the research activity of colleagues. Teaching in the School of Education Our main campus-based group (approx. 300 students) at the School of Education are PGCE students taking Primary and Secondary courses. Both Primary and Secondary courses have an M level component. The School is currently in active negotiations with a number of Teaching School Alliances, and other groupings of schools, about the development of SCITTs and other school-led ITE routes. Full-time Masters students (70+ students, mostly non-uk) currently follow three courses: MA TESOL; MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL and MA in International Education. In addition, MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL, MA in International Education and MSc Educational Leadership are offered as Distance Learning courses to students in the UK and overseas. Continuing Professional Development for teachers is offered through MA in Learning and Teaching within which modules can be taken as stand-alone Post Graduate Certificates. A parallel school-based part-time Masters programme (MA Education: Leadership and Learning) is planned to begin in The School has two Doctoral Programmes: an MPhil/PhD route for full-time, part-time and DL students and a part-time Doctor of Education (EdD) programme. Further information may be found on the School s web-site: The Primary PGCE programme at Leicester The Primary PGCE programme offers students the opportunity to gain Masters level credit in addition to PGCE and QTS. It has a long-established and well-deserved reputation as a high quality provider of initial teacher education and training. It is one of the largest programmes of its kind in the UK, consistently attracting three to four applications for every available place. This well established course enables students to acquire a detailed knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum in the Primary Core and Foundation subjects and to develop appropriate pedagogic knowledge that can be applied in classrooms. All students are encouraged to develop the skills of professional reflection. University of Leicester 3 11 April 2013

4 The Primary PGCE Programme is offered in three forms: the Lower Primary course, specialising in the 3-7 age range, the Upper Primary course, specialising in the 5-11 age range and the Primary with French course specialising in the 7-11age range. All students follow a 38 week course which covers: Curriculum studies in the NC core and foundation subjects; A specialist strand selected from a range of options; Professional studies, and Teaching experience in three different schools. Primary PGCE tutors have a wealth of expertise and experience in schools and higher education teaching, and are based in a School of Education renowned nationally and internationally for educational research. This ensures that students benefit from learning to teach in an environment conducive to developing both as skilled Newly Qualified Teachers and as informed reflective practitioners. Alongside the standard PGCE route, the School of Education also runs a School Direct Primary PGCE, in collaboration with a Teaching School Alliance. Primary Mathematics Specialist PGCE From September 2013 the School will be offering a Mathematics Specialist course alongside the Primary PGCE programme. This is designed to enable students to prepare for roles as mathematics champions in primary schools. Your Role Your main teaching responsibility will be within the Primary PGCE programme, including the English strand and generic professional aspects of the Primary PGCE programme. You will also be involved in recruitment and selection and support for students during school placements. There will be opportunities to contribute to other areas of teaching within the School, as appropriate. For a Teaching Dominant lectureship you would be expected to contribute strongly to curriculum development and academic leadership within the PGCE programme. There is also a requirement that you will engage in scholarship, so that your teaching is informed by research. For a Teaching and Research Lectureship, you would be expected to contribute to research activity within the School, to publish your work and bid for research funding, and contribute to the supervision of Doctoral students, as appropriate. Principal Accountabilities Your principal accountabilities will be: Teaching Develop and deliver effective learning and teaching (lectures, seminars, tutorials, assessments) to PGCE and other postgraduate students in line with University regulations and appropriate curriculum requirements. Deliver effective supervision and support to students e.g. for projects, dissertations etc University of Leicester 4 11 April 2013

5 Develop and maintain an understanding of University and sector wide approaches and developments in learning and teaching Comply with and support the implementation of the University, Learning and Teaching Strategy, academic policies and codes of practice, and quality assurance processes Actively and cooperatively participate in Departmental, College, University and appropriate external activities, meetings and committees as required. Actively engage in continuous professional development activities Comply with all University, College and Departmental policies and procedures including, but not limited to health and safety requirements Administration In addition To contribute (as appropriate) to the management of teaching programmes. To undertake such specific School roles and management functions as may be reasonably required by the Head of School. To attend meetings convened in the School, and to participate in other committees and working groups within the School, the College and the University to which appointed or elected. To participate in relevant professional activities. To undertake, subject to the agreement of the Head of School and the University as appropriate, external commitments which reflect well upon and enhance the reputation of the University. for a Teaching Dominant Lectureship Maintain an expert level of up to date scholarly knowledge of your subject area. Maintain and develop expertise in aspects of learning and teaching and academic leadership; share this with colleagues to contribute to departmental developments Contribute to the management of academic standards and of quality assurance, enhancement and innovation Contribute to the development of colleagues, or of academic management systems Undertake appropriate academic leadership roles as required by Head of Department for a Teaching and Research Lectureship Maintain an expert level of up to date scholarly knowledge of your subject area. To engage in research and publication in the field of Education. The successful candidate will be expected to seek to publish the results of their research, particularly in monographs or peer-reviewed journals. To contribute to bids for external funding for research in collaboration with colleagues,. To contribute fully to the research plans developed by the School, including the provision of such information as may be required to monitor the progress of each member of staff s research programme. University of Leicester 5 11 April 2013

6 Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential A good first degree in a relevant subject area * Qualified Teacher status* Masters level or higher qualification in a relevant subject area or demonstrable knowledge, understanding and interest at an equivalent level (including knowledge and understanding of scholarship in the area) * Knowledge and understanding of assessment methods Significant successful school teaching experience, including experience in the UK system* Successful experience of working with ITE students in school and/or HE* For a Teaching Dominant Lectureship Experience of supporting colleagues with all aspects of teaching and learning and academic leadership activities* Experience of curriculum development and developing resource materials Experience of providing Continuing Professional Development courses for teachers and/or teaching related professionals* For a Teaching and Research Lectureship A Doctorate in Education, or be close to completing such a qualification* Evidence of the potential to engage in high quality research and publication* Desirable PG Cert HE or equivalent knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning (including assessment), theories and practices within HEIs Successful experience of initial teacher education in HE* For a Teaching Dominant Lectureship Successful experience of a leadership role with an education setting For a Teaching and Research Lectureship A track record of research publications Experience of research bid writing Skills, Abilities and Competencies Essential Effective communications skills (oral and written). Good interpersonal skills Willingness and ability to travel to partnership schools across the region Competence in IT (* Criteria to be used in shortlisting candidates for interview) University of Leicester 6 11 April 2013

7 Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Janet Ainley, Head of the School of Education on ; or to Sue Davis, Primary PGCE Course Leader on ; Applications For further information and to apply on-line, please visit our website: When applying, please make it clear whether you wish to be considered for the Teaching Dominant or Teaching and Research post. The closing date for this post is midnight on 02 May 2013 This is a vacant post and the successful candidate can start on or before 01 September 2013 Candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted by the University. If you do not receive a communication from the University within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. University of Leicester 7 11 April 2013