Alexandra Brown

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Lecturer in Initial Teacher Training

I have worked at the University within the School of Education since 2019, teaching across a range of programmes. Prior to this I specialised in alternative provision for post-16 students teaching a range of subjects including maths, English, and various vocational qualifications, alongside completing my MA in education. I have also taught PE in a range of Primary and Secondary Education settings across the North East with a specialism in dance. I believe my experiences across a variety of roles within the Education sector offer me the insight to support trainees in their journey to becoming successful teachers.

I am the PE lead within the primary team and I am passionate about promoting high quality PE within schools. I am also year 3 lead for the undergraduate Primary Education programme and lead a range of modules across the Primary Education programmes and Education Studies.

Teaching and supervision
Research
Areas of expertise
Further information

Teaching and supervision

I work across various programmes and modules within the School of Education including BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS, PGCE Primary Education and BA (Hons) Education Studies. I am module leader for EDP382 - Negotiated Curriculum Study in Education and PRI133 - Professional & Academic learning in Primary Education 1. My passion remains in PE teaching and I lead PE across the Primary Education programmes as well as delivering elements of professional learning across all programmes. I also thoroughly enjoy delivering professional learning within the Primary Education programmes where my specialism is Safeguarding & Prevent.

I currently lead EDS117 Sociology of Education as part of the BA (Hons) Education Studies degree and supervise final year students in completing their dissertation project.

I am the year 3 lead for the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS degree and thoroughly enjoy supporting trainess in their final year to gain QTS and seek employment. I also support trainees on their school experience placements as a University mentor and I am a personal tutor to students across all programmes and year groups.

Research interests for potential research students

I have published research focusing on initial and diagnostic assessment and have recently completed a project looking at the impact of centre assessment grades during the Covid-19 pandemic which was presented at the RCEN conference in 2023.

My current research is focused around critical pedagogies in PE researching Primary Education trainees confidence to deliver PE and support disabled colleagues in delivery PE and overcoming stereotypes. I am also in the process of conducting action research around the role of the personal tutor within Higher Education.

Research

Although my undergraduate degree and PGCE specialise in PE, I also have a range of experience working with vulnerable learners and focused my MA thesis on working with disengaged students in the post-16 sector. Within my previous job role I was heavily involved in safeguarding and the wellbeing of learners and also consider this an area of expertise.

Within my current role I lead PE across the Primary Education programmes and I am heavily involved in our professional learning modules.

Brown, A. & Hunter, J., (2018) “A Fresh Look at Initial and Diagnostic Assessment in Community Education Provision”, Teaching in Lifelong Learning 8(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.5920/till.535

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