Senior Lecturer in Education, Primary Phase Lead, PGCE Primary (5-11) course coordinator

I joined the University of Bedfordshire in January 2024, as Undergraduate Primary (3-7) course lead. Since August 2024, I have been the course lead for the Primary PGCE (5-11) route and also Primary Phase Lead.

I have been a qualified teacher for over 30 years working within the primary school sector. During this time I also worked extensively as a teacher educator. I started my teaching career within 2 primary schools based in Luton, where I taught across a range of year groups and took a leading role in the subject of geography. During this time, I developed my experience of supporting children with English as an additional language. Additionally, I led mentoring within the schools.

More recently prior to my employment by the University, I led a Primary (3-11) SCITT based in Luton, supporting trainee teachers on tuition fee and salaried PGCE routes. In 2022-23, I undertook a 1-year secondment to a local SCITT and supported trainees on their undergraduate (BA in Education with QTS) programme.

I currently teach on a number of units on both the primary undergraduate and PGCE routes, on both the 3-7 and 5-11 pathways.

My passion lies in supporting the next generation of teachers to make a difference to the lives of the children that they teach.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Education – Open University
• Masters in Education – De Montfont University (Bedford)
• Bachelor of Education – University of Leicester (Nene College - Northampton)
• Currently studying for the NPQLTD

Teaching Expertise

• Humanities – Geography, religious education and history
• Supporting children with English as an Additional Language
• Developing Level 7 academic writing
• Mentor development

Research Interests

• Doctorate – Theory and Practice: The development of mathematical pedagogical content knowledge in primary trainee teachers
• The role of the mentor in supporting teacher development, from ITT and beyond

Contact details

E: julie.darmody@beds.ac.uk