Mr Nick Oakley

My subject specialism is Modern Foreign Languages and I lead the training of secondary language teachers on both the university PGCE course and School Based programmes. As part of this, I have been pleased to be able to work internationally, giving student teachers the opportunity to develop an understanding of how education operates in different countries. Since 2022 this work has been complemented by my additional role on the iQTS course which allows teachers to train across the world without leaving their home country. This has given me the opportunity to work with some great trainee teachers in countries such as Algeria, Ethiopia and Chile. Understanding how education systems differ across the globe has been an eye opening experience. I now lead on recruitment to this course and therefore meet a lot of professionals from a range of countries.  

I started working at the university in 2010. Previous to that, I spent 22 years teaching in 3 schools in the south of England. I began my career as a teacher of French and German and then became Head of French in a mixed comprehensive school in Dorset. I then moved on to become Head of Modern Languages in a large, mixed 11-18 comprehensive school in West Sussex where I stayed for 8 years. More latterly, I was Assistant Headteacher in an outstanding Girls’ Grammar School in West Kent where I was responsible for staff development and the work of the specialist Language College. This led me to working at the university where I have held a number of different leadership and teaching roles over my time here.

'Given my interest in international education outlined above, this has become a key area of focus for me. For 10 years I have collaborated on international projects with Odisee university in Belgium which has led to reciprocal visits and research opportunities for both staff and students. Finding out more about how education is organised and delivered in other countries gives us all the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate the merits and possible future development within our own system.  

I have developed close links with the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) and have worked with their Senior Policy Advisor to research the key issue of recruitment and retention of new teachers. I have also acted as a Member Governor for a Kent Educational Trust in the past.