Sarah Reed

I am a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Society.

I came to education later in life than some. I took the opportunity to leave the Local Authority I worked for to retrain in my thirties and returned to study. I took an access course at Newcastle College then successfully completed my BA (Hons) Early Primary Education at Northumbria University.

While recovering from surgery, I decided to utilise the time I was unable to work and studied the MA Education (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Inclusion) at the University of Sunderland. This led me to lecturing part-time at the University on BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS alongside teaching in a school with children with significant special educational needs. While in school, I devised specific programmes of learning for individuals in order to accelerate their progress, and allow them to access mainstream education more effectively. I went on to project manage the development of a nurture-led classroom for children within the setting who were struggling to access mainstream learning.

I am passionate about teachers being knowledgeable about individual needs and how to meet them, particularly within mainstream contexts. This includes making reading accessible and enjoyable for all children. I am also extremely passionate about student experience while on placement, including student/mentor relationships and how staff at university can contribute to these important relationships.