Education

Fiona's expertise covers Special Education Needs (SEND), the history of education, behaviour management, safeguarding, and the deployment and practice of support staff in schools. She teaches the module on Safeguarding.

Ruth’s research interests explore parental bereavement in childhood, professionalisation of the Early Years workforce and technology to enhance teaching and learning.

She is a member of Staffordshire Early Years Professional Network.

Jim Pugh is Head of Education here at Staffordshire University. He’s worked in education for his entire career, from inspiring young learners as a primary school teacher to leading the development of education students and academics at Staffordshire University. He is proud of the difference that the courses make to individuals as they develop from undergraduates through their teaching training and beyond.Some of the best things about studying Education at Staffordshire University, according to Jim, are real-life placements, field trips and – crucially – your employability when you leave.

I'm currently involved in all aspects of teaching on the Secondary PGCE.

Sarah has had a lengthy (and happy) career in Primary Education with robust experience of teaching across the entire primary age range in mixed and single age year groups and in a variety of different schools and areas. She moved to Staffordshire University in 2013 to lead the Primary PGCE Core Award and the Primary School Direct Award and is also a supervisor on the Doctorate in Education.

Sarah is passionate about the arts and gained degrees in both History of Art & Design and Business Studies before studying Education in a Museum setting at the V&A Museum and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. She also worked in stage and costume design in the USA and as a Children’s Books Buyer before training as a teacher in 1996. She currently campaigns to raise the profile of the Arts in Primary Education and has edited and co-written a book; “Teaching the Primary Foundation Subjects” with Open University Press. In 2011 she joined Edge Hill University to lead the Foundation Subjects Team and now leads the foundation subjects and the Primary PGCE at Staffordshire University.

Sarah is passionate about social justice and gender equality and believes that education is the key to improving these. She has a Masters’ Degree and Doctorate in Education. Her research is primarily focused around developing more creative and inclusive methods of qualitative research including storytelling and arts-based research, such as the award-winning Plastic Ceiling Project, which was exhibited at Tate Liverpool in 2018. She has published and presented at international conferences on the challenges of juggling work and motherhood and has acted as a qualitative research consultant for the research arm of the NHS.

My enthusiasm for learning led me to qualify, design and deliver to initial and subject specialist teacher training courses. I have an interest in developing virtual learning environments to support learning. 

Gill leads the Professional Doctorate in Education

I have extensive expertise of working in the secondary and post compulsory sector as well as experience of teaching in Greece and China. I am also an external examiner for PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) courses.