The Insitute for Lifecourse Development at the University of Greenwich in partnership with Routledge Publishing is delighted to invite you to register for the launch of this new book, which is an exciting collaboration between primary practitioners, university lecturers and ITE experts. This book draws together detailed insights from UK Primary Schools in the form of case studies and vignettes from practicing teachers, together with an academic evaluative voice to support you in making connections and developing your own practice through a shared experience. The aim of this book is to offer the reader insights into schools’ practice in inspiring primary learners across the curriculum.

We are proud that this book brings together experts from across the country including colleagues from Leeds Becket University, University of Roehampton, University of Worcester, Canterbury Christ Church University, Bishop Grosseteste University, Wingfield Primary School, Plumcroft Primary School and the founders of the Writing for Pleasure Centre.

This book offers the latest relevant insights into educational practice in UK primary schools through case study snapshots provided through the integral partnerships between a range of schools and the School of Education at the University of Greenwich as well as the wider partnership the University has with other educational institutions. This partnership allows for the exciting culmination of valuable case studies with the experience and knowledge of lecturers in the field of Primary Education, who are equipped both with knowledge of the primary classroom, and the pedagogy behind training teachers at university level.

Dr Poppy Gibson is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Greenwich. Poppy came to HE after over ten years working as a primary school teacher in and around London, with key responsibility roles including Head of Computing and Head of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL). Poppy is now Programme Lead for the 2-year BA (Hons) in Primary Education (accelerated) as well as the MFL co-ordinator for the Primary team. Poppy’s main research interests involve social media and mental health and well-being, and Poppy is currently working on several projects that explore tensions between the online and offline self.

Roger McDonald is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Greenwich. Roger initially worked as a primary school teacher for 16 years before moving to the University of Greenwich in 2012. Roger has a passion for literacy, particularly drama and the use of picturebooks to enhance possibility thinking. In 2019 Roger was proud to have been appointed President Elect of the United Kingdom Literacy association (UKLA). Roger’s research interests centre around the importance of creating opportunities for imagining within the primary curriculum.

Further inforamtion about the book can be found here:

https://www.routledge.com/Inspiring-Primary-Learners-Insights-and-Inspiration-Across-the-Curriculum/McDonald-Gibson/p/book/9780367110659?fbclid=IwAR0E02E10GfJt-VVpqHSXpMdnk27ZDGHW-xrgHeQvsxMhYU3IEg4HUFkyTc

For further information about the Institute for Lifecourse Development and its activites and events, please see:

https://www.gre.ac.uk/institute-lifecourse-development#about