About Dionne Ross
I am the Associate Head of School for International Initial Teacher Training (IITT) in the Faculty of Education and Society. Having led the PGCE Education (DL), a world-leading distance learning PGCE course for several years, my role is to now lead IITT developments in the School. We have recently been selected to provide iQTS in a pilot framework for 2022/23. This is testament to the global success of our existing provision.
My experience in education is wide and varied. Having studied Professional Education Studies and History as an undergraduate, I began my career with Northumbria Probation Service before moving into education to work with those who found mainstream schooling unsuitable.
In 2011, I moved to the University of Sunderland to take up a role on the PGCE PCET English pathway and delivered the Additional Diploma in Teaching English (Literacy) for those who were already qualified teachers but who wished to specialise in English or Literacy teaching. I then moved into international education, working as programme lead on PGCE Education.
Since 2019, I have led an innovative and forward-thinking team of education specialists who work tirelessly to train teachers across the globe with research-informed teaching.
Teaching and supervision
My teaching included Approaches to Meeting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, English and Society, Advancing Pedagogy in English Teaching, and Subject Studies.
The underpinning themes of all areas I work in are empowering learners to succeed and equipping teachers of the future with the skills in order to help students to succeed. This involves encouraging trainee teachers to be reflective and reflexive in establishing their own values and philosophical understandings of education.
Research
My MA dissertation: 'Impact of professionalisation on “person-making”. Are the values of the practitioner changing?'. This continued my interest in empowering both teachers and students to progress.
Investigating the continuing growth of British teacher training in overseas territories through the lens of the Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) is my current focus. I am researching the impact of PATs on the professional practice development of trainee teachers working on an international distance learning course. Personal Academic Tutoring is more than supporting academic work – it is about the benefit the relationship brings to the partnership between the trainee and PAT. Nurturing the relationship to support trainees working from a distance to not feel distant from PATs and the impact this has on professional practice is an area that potentially has great impact.
Personal Academic Tutoring has formed the basis of PGCE Education and PGCE Early Years Teaching for some years however over recent years the relationship building through new technologies has strengthened the impact further. Personal Academic Tutoring is widely used in distance education programmes, though the impact on practice is not always well structured or recorded. The low attrition rate on the programmes is testament to the success of the PAT system which I am exploring through my study.
Further information
The PGCE Education (DL) course is increasing and developing with the introduction of the offer to the UK market as well as international school-based teachers. The course works with over 500 schools internationally ranging from the UK and Jersey to Hong Kong and Vietnam. We also offer the PGCE Early Years Teaching for those working with early years and kindergartens.
I was elected as a member of the Institute for Learning Advisory Council 2013 and was Vice Chair of Governors at St Mary’s Primary School, Sunderland, 2012-2016. I am currently a governor at Castle View Enterprise Academy.