I am Professor of Education and Head of the Manchester Institute of Education, having served as Head of ITE since 2017. I was appointed as Director of Partnerships and Teacher Inquiry at The University of Manchester in October 2014.  Prior to this, I was Head of School Direct at Edge Hill University and Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS Part Time Programme. I joined Edge Hill University in January 2007, following several years as a senior lecturer at Newcastle University.  I have always been passionate about seeking to improve my own practice and keen to work with others to develop her understanding and interpretation of new initiatives.

From degree level onwards I gained the following qualifications: BA (Hons) Education from Lancaster University, M.Ed from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a PhD Education from the University of Newcastle.

In September 2000, I embarked upon a PhD, to seek to develop an understanding of formative assessment, following the seminal review of Black and Wiliam (1998). The PhD thesis was grounded in developing insights into the practice of experienced practitioners, with a view that through unravelling their practice it could then be available to question and critically scrutinise, ultimately with a view to improving it.  My research interests lie not only in formative assessment but in enhancing practice in Initial Teacher Education. 

My approach to research is rooted in the qualitative paradigm, and I work with students and mentors to access their 'voice'.

• Additional information:
  Currently chair and member of numerous School committees.
• Currently Vice Chair of Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
• Currently Chair of NW4 ITT network and member of DfE National ITTAG
  Previously (SEED) Associate Director of Coaching and Mentoring
• Previously Head of Initial Teacher Education
• Previously President of TEAN
• Reviewer for international journals
  Recent external examining responsibilities include: Edge Hill University PhD; St Mary’s Belfast (BA, Hons with QTS), Chester University (PGCE), Staffordshire University (PGCE)
• Co-editor TEAN Journal
  Research presented UK (BERA, TEAN, UCET), Budapest, Yerevan (ECER)