About

I am a Senior Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education, teaching across the Primary Initial Teacher Education programmes with a Science subject specialism. 

The main elements of my role involve delivering lectures and workshops for Undergraduate and Postgraduate trainee primary teachers and supporting them during their school placement.

I am also a Personal Academic Tutor and Lead Mentor to our stage 3 beginning teachers.

Having joined the University in January 2022, I worked previously in Science subject leadership, teaching in both secondary and middle schools with additional leadership responsibilities in Enrichment.

Teaching responsibilities

My role includes facilitating teaching and learning across the BEd/MEdu and PGCE Core and School Direct programmes with a focus on Science, Educational Settings, Research Methods and Professional Practice.

From September 2024 I will lead a Stage 3 BEd/MEdu module on School Practice with a focus on Assessment.

Professional interests

I have an interest in the teaching of Science and the promotion of STEM subjects. I have a particular passion for experiential learning and learning beyond the classroom.

I have a professional interest in all aspects of social justice and social capital, in particular, the development of science capital. This was developed when I worked in an inner city education action zone and continued throughout my teaching career working in schools in areas of high social deprivation. My aim is for our beginning teachers to recognise the importance of their role in promoting and developing the social capital of the children in their classrooms.

I developed an interest in trauma-informed approaches to teaching during my role as an education consultant developing and delivering training for professionals working with 'looked-after' children. I maintain this area of interest and recognise the importance of developing our beginning teacher's knowledge of the impact of trauma and resilience.

Research interests

I am a member of the Teacher Education Research and Innovation Cluster and I am currently engaged in a joint research project exploring the experiences of pre-service primary teachers.

As a member of the Race and Education Research Cluster, I am interested in the impact of education policy, practices and dominant Western-centric ideologies on the teaching of primary science in England. I am interested in exploring how science teachers can decolonise the science National Curriculum.

I am also interested in exploring notions of nature connectedness, outdoor learning and wellbeing in school children and pre-service primary teachers.

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Association for Science Education (ASE) Member 
• Chartered College of Teaching Member (CCTM)

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Archaeological Sciences - University of Bradford
• QTS (Secondary Science - Graduate Teacher Programme, Northamptonshire)
• MPhil Master of Philosophy - University of Bradford
• PGCAPL Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Leadership 
• FHEA Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy 

Recent conferences

• Stothard, J. and Thornton, A. (2023) 'Can you show me what it is not? Non-examples and conceptual variation as pedagogic strategy', Learning and Teaching Conference 2023, University of Derby, 5 July

Experience in industry

I have a range of experience working in various Primary and Secondary education settings. During my time as a secondary science teacher, I specialised in teaching Biology and Chemistry to A-Level and also held pastoral leadership positions. I later specialised in the leadership and management of Science departments in Middle schools with additional responsibilities in whole-school Enrichment and Outdoor Learning.

I gained experience in the private sector as an Education Consultant for a training company developing and delivering training for professionals working with 'looked-after' children (LAC). This role required managing a large portfolio of clients including local authorities and private organisations across the Midlands and North of England. During my time in this position, I delivered training for a wide range of professionals including Headteachers, Designated Teachers for LAC, Foster Carers and Social Workers.

I currently provide Primary Science support for schools, teachers and senior leaders through delivering Continuing Professional Development.

International experience

During my Master's studies, I spent a number of years in Pompeii, Italy, teaching a wide range of international students and conducting research as a tutor on a university-accredited international archaeological field school: The Anglo-American Project in Pompeii (AAPP).