I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1996 with a BA (hons) in Education and later, from Oxford Brookes with an MA in Education in 2005. I have worked across the NHS and Education sector for over 39 years in many roles starting my career at a Maternity Hospital working with a range of multi-professionals, caring for new-born babies and at the same time, teaching Student Midwives; Health Visitors and Doctors. In 1990 I studied at Bolton Metropolitan College to become a Hospital Play Specialist and eventually moved to a Children’s Ward where I spent much of my time planning a series of therapeutic play programmes for very young children undergoing intensive and invasive surgical procedures; supporting families and siblings and again, took on an active teaching role to promote and support student health professionals in their understanding of play and the therapeutic value it holds
I have also worked at South Cheshire College as a Child Studies Lecturer teaching across a range of education programmes and from there, I moved to Stoke on Trent College as a Course Team Leader for Child Studies, writing new programmes and developing a range of continuing professional development. From 2006 I moved into Teacher Education working across a range of teaching qualifications (PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training; CET Level 4; TAQA and more) for the Lifelong Learning Sector before taking on the role as Award leader for this area before finally, moving to Staffordshire University in 2015. My role has been heavily involved with OFSTED and the Inspections process and in addition to this, supporting teams going through this specific process.
Professional memberships and activities
Member of HEA & Senior Fellow
Member of ETF & Senior Fellow
Academic qualifications
MA Education
BA(hons) in Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Skills Teaching
Qualified Teacher (Learning and Skills) (QTLS)
Certificate in Education
Hospital Play Specialist
NNEB
Expertise
Working with Babies: Care and Education of
Neuroscience; Nurturing Brain Development + Processes
Mental Health & Well-Being
Hospital Play Specialist: Play Therapy
Teacher Training: Active Learning
Research interests
Development of the Early Years Workforce
Providing Alternative Therapies for Sick Children; Displaced Children and Children with Adverse Childhood Experiences
Enterprise and commercial interests
ETF Consultant & Reviewer
Book Reviewer
Teaching
Currently teaching on the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (ECS) and the BA ECS with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) UG route.
Publications
I have contributed to the Institute for Learning (IfL) CPD Review.