Dear Alumni,

Welcome to the ICE newsletter, which keeps you up-to-date with news, events and opportunities specifically tailored for alumni of the Institute of Childhood and Education (and all educational courses prior to its formation). We would also like to offer a warm welcome to our final year students who are about to complete their studies. 

As ever, we are delighted with how much support we continue to receive from our graduates. The picture above shows Sam Llewellyn (Secondary Education Science with Biology, 2021), Tessa Schofield (Secondary Education History, 2021) and Joe Matthews (PGCE Primary Education, 2020) helping out at our May PGCE Open Day.

We are also incredibly proud of all the achievements we hear about from our alumni community. Earlier this year Michelle Blanchard (Primary Education, 2005), Headteacher at Beckfoot Allerton, received an MBE for her services to education. In addition Charlotte Preston (Primary Education, Early Years, 2021), an early career teacher at Blakehill Primary School, was one of three candidates for Newcomer of the Year at the 2022 Bradford and District Education Awards. Congratulations!

Professor Kate Adams, Professor of Education at Leeds Trinity, will give her first formal lecture on campus about children’s spirituality on Tuesday 7 June from 5.30pm. It is free to attend.

The lecture will reflect Professor Adams’ research specialisms in children’s spirituality and the implications for schools, with a focus on understanding spiritual and/or religious experiences from their perspectives. Find out more. 

Following the successful launch of his book, The Caring Teacher, we interviewed Rob Potts in the TV studio on campus. 

We have broken the interview down into two parts and will share them over the next few months. Part one includes Rob's advice for teachers about to enter the profession. We'll continue to share the clips on the Alumni Facebook and Twitter social media channels. 

As part of her MA in Family Support, Michelle Nattrass completed an empirical study where she interviewed special guardians and practitioners about their experiences of birth parent contact in special guardian families.

Michelle received a distinction and the programme prize and was then encouraged by her supervisor, Dr Sue Elmer, to apply for a PhD Studentship in this area that requires further research. Read more.

Gillian Elvidge left her position in the University Marketing team in February 2021 to start a PhD research project about care experienced and estranged students in higher education. 

After finding out there was a lack of research in this area, she was encouraged to bridge the gap. Gillian was estranged from her mother during her university studies so knows full well the challenges others are going through. Read more about Gillian's research.

Are you, or do you know of anyone, looking for a next step to develop a career working with children, young people or families?

Our Foundation and Professional Practice degrees are designed for those working as teaching or nursery assistants or learning mentors in early years, SEN or family support settings.

Our courses offer an alternative route into higher education. Careers can be developed through flexible study that can fit around other commitments such as work, parenting or caring.

Read how alumna Maria Brown kick started a new career.

Our next Foundation degree and Professional Practice Virtual Open Evening is taking place on Tuesday 5 July, 6.00 – 7.30pm. Find out more.