Professor Sonia Blandford, Director of Research and Development, Teach First
Developing professional practice 0-7
Thursday 20 May, 6pm 0g46 Old Sessions House, North Holmes Campus, Canterbury
The lecture will focus on the core topics associated with developing effective professional practice. Professor Blandford will explore the requirements for leadership and management, personalised learning and continuing professional development of those engaged with babies, toddlers or children aged 0-7, including children’s centre leaders and staff, carers, nursery managers and staff, children’s trust managers and staff, teachers and support teachers, policy makers and parents.
Biography
Professor Blandford has an extensive portfolio in education encompassing teaching, leadership, research and publications. As former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, Sonia has been involved with Teach First since the beginning of the programme. She is lead adviser to the DCSF and has held several advisory positions with international governments. She has published over 50 articles and books focusing on middle leadership, special educational needs, early years, professional development, financial management and classroom management and behaviour. Sonia has taught in primary and secondary schools in Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Bath, London and Bristol. She is also the founder of two community arts charities and founding Trustee of three Academies. Sonia has a Doctorate in Education (University of Bristol), MPhil (University of Bath), MA in Music (University of Reading), and a Cert Ed and BEd (hons) (Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds).
Appointed as a Professor of Education by Oxford Brookes University in 2002, Sonia currently holds several honorary titles as Honorary Professor - University of Warwick; Visiting Professor - Institute of Education (London) and Brunel University; Associate Professor - University of Chichester and Senior Research Fellow - University of Oxford; and is an expert on professional development for the European Commission.