After working within the fuel industry for ten years, I graduated from MMU with a First-Class honours degree in Education in 1992. As a teacher and senior leader, I have worked across the primary age range in a number of schools in the North West of England, for over twenty years. In 2014, I joined the Teach First Programme working with post-graduates, based at the University of Manchester, becoming Primary Lead after two years.
I joined the University of Staffordshire in June 2018, as a senior lecturer leading the new undergraduate BA in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status qualification.
Academic qualifications
B.Ed (Hons) in Primary Education (MMU)
M.Ed in Educational Leadership (University of Manchester)
Ed.D in Educational Leadership (University of Manchester)
NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship)
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Expertise
My areas of expertise lie within Initial Teacher Training/Education, focussing on curriculum knowledge, pedagogy and the concept of professionalism within primary teaching and learning environments.
I have carried out research in a number of areas, including: the selection of senior leaders, for which I was awarded a M.Ed. in 2007; pupil voice and school councils; and, most recently, on headteachers’ perceptions of accountability within differing socio-economic contexts, for which I was awarded a Doctorate in Education in 2016, from the University of Manchester.
Research interests
My research interests are focussed on the promotion of effective teaching and learning within the primary classroom and the overcoming of potential barriers. I am currently working on research which examines notions of respect from the primary teacher’s perspective and how primary based nurture groups are perceived by children and parents within differing socio-economic areas.
I am also researching the specific challenges faced by males entering initial teacher training, along with the impact of imposter syndrome on under and postgraduate student teachers.
Teaching
My current post as joint course leader involves the support and teaching of under-graduate students during their three-year BA (Hons) degree course. Upon its completion, students will be fully qualified and ready to take up their first primary teaching role. Therefore, my current teaching revolves around the development of students’ curriculum and pedagogical knowledge in preparation for their new professional role. My subject specialism area is science which I teach across all levels. I am also currently second supervising three doctoral students during their thesis proposal and writing phases.
Publications
Burnitt, M. and Gunter, H., (2013). Primary school councils: Organization, composition and head teacher perceptions and values. Management in education, 27(2), pp.56-62.
Burnitt, M., (2016). Primary headteachers: perceptions on standards, accountability and school context. The University of Manchester (United Kingdom).