The field of primary education offers a wide range of exciting research opportunities to study the teaching, learning and development of children from as young as 3, up until 11 years old. The Primary Education Department continues to enhance its consistent record of enquiry and scholarly activity alongside partnership colleagues working within the busy and successful network of primary schools in Kent and Medway.
Recent effective research and development projects include:
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investigation into enhancing creative and imaginative writing with Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and now Maidstone clusters of schools - the results published in two leading literacy journals;
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a study into creative teaching in Initial Teacher Education, disseminated through academic journals;
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an enquiry into innovative ways of teaching the arts in teacher education and primary schools;
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in partnership with the Diocese of Canterbury, the development of research and support materials for teachers and academics in the world of RE;
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working on a range of government consultation groups particularly in the field of e-learning and ICT.
Academic papers are regularly given at national and international conferences by Primary Education lecturers, and four scholarly books on the subjects of teaching Mathematics, Science, English and ICT by team members of these subjects areas are to be published by leading educational publishers. In addition, many tutors in the department are involved in studying for their own PhDs and EdDs. The Primary Education department colleagues also teach and supervise on Masters, EdD and PhD research degrees. A new Masters course in primary education is about to be validated. This department continues to actively value and encourage research activity and in doing so is always seeking new ways to involve the teachers and children in Kent, Medway and beyond.