Education
Education degrees
Initial Teacher Training and Professional Development
The University of Buckingham Education degrees and teacher training courses are amongst the most successful and accessible in the country. With over 1,000 teachers and school leaders studying with us each year, we are one of the country’s leading providers of teacher training and professional development.
Our Primary, Prep and Secondary PGCE programmes are all available with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) enabling teachers to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England. For those wishing to use their schools’ Levy to fund their training, we also offer a Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship with QTS.
For teachers in the Independent Schools’ sector, we have an Independent PGCE which has been developed in close consultation with The Heads’ Conference (HMC).
Those teaching abroad can achieve their PGCE by studying our PGCE for International Trainees. This qualification is available online with regular virtual seminars and support sessions throughout.
All of our master’s courses are available completely online and are a fantastic way to develop your expertise in a particular aspect of the sphere of Education. Whether your interest is in leadership and management, mentoring new-to-role colleagues, or something else entirely, we can support your career progression and aspirations.
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Education Events
Student feedback
Semele, PGCE
“The residential was very clear and had a lot of thought had put into finding a good range of speakers to interest people from all backgrounds. I’ve returned back to school today full of ideas (and I’m sure annoying my colleagues!). It was also really nice to meet the other PGCE students finally and our subject day was very well thought out too.“
Your future career
Our Faculty of Education programmes range from the PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to tailored master’s programmes or a doctorate. We believe good teacher training focuses on the practice of classroom management and apply what good research and experience tells us works best.
Our PGCE is available for those teaching in state, independent and international schools. Our master’s programmes offer structured and accredited professional development opportunities, enabling you to progress your career and extend your knowledge of a particular area within the field of education.
Graduating from the Faculty of Education will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive, lasting difference to those you teach and work with.
School links and partners
We have many partners that we work with at the School of Education including: National Mathematics and Physics SCITT; Council of British International Schools (COBIS); The Anglo Institute of Education; Beds SCITT; Chiltern Learning Trust; Oceanova; Premier Pathways; Parents and Teachers for Excellence; Boarding Schools Association (BSA); Duke’s Education; Inclusion Education; St. Edward’s School Oxford; Bourton Meadow SCITT; Shire Foundation; Equalitas; STEP Academies; Dubai LearnEd.
We also have a number of connections with professional bodies such as CPHC and BCS.
Education news and views
Meet the Dean
Our Dean, Professor Barnaby Lenon, was brought up in south London and educated at Eltham College and Oxford University. He won the Cambridge University prize for Education. He taught at Eton for 12 years, was Deputy Head of Highgate School, Headmaster of Trinity School, Croydon, and Headmaster of Harrow (also for 12 years). He then helped set up a state schools in east London, the London Academy of Excellence, and was Chair of Governors there for nine years. He is currently trustee of the two independent and 10 state schools in the King Edward’s Birmingham Foundation.
He is Dean of Education at The University of Buckingham, Chairman of the Independent Schools’ Council and a trustee of the Yellow Submarine charity.
He has recently published two books, “Much Promise: successful schools in England” and “Other People’s Children: what happens to the academically least successful 50%?”
He is one of the most widely quoted educationalists in the media. In 2019, he was awarded a CBE for services to Education.
Meet our lecturers
Dr Bethany Kelly, Director of Programmes
Dr Kelly has worked in education for over twenty years with all but the first three years in leadership roles. This led first to a Masters in Educational Leadership and then to her doctorate looking at Leadership, Identity and Gender. As well as overseeing the academic programmes for the department, Bethany continues to write and speak in the UK and internationally on a range of educational topics including her own research interests.
Tracey Smith, Head of Primary School Teacher Training
Tracey started working with The University of Buckingham in 2020 after completing her Masters in Education with us. Tracey was a successful Headteacher of three primary schools in Oxfordshire, after teaching across all age groups as a Primary Teacher over many years. Tracey has also been a National Leader of Education, a Pupil Premium Reviewer and a School Improvement Consultant at Oxfordshire Local Authority.
Marilena Pevreall, Head of Secondary School Teacher Training
Marilena has a microbiology and immunology background and worked in science education for 22 years. Her teaching experience ranges from Secondary to Further to Higher Education. Following her training she worked at More House School in Frensham before accepting the role of Head of Biology at King Edwards School, Witley.
Her teaching interests , besides Biology, include creating authentic assessment strategies and cross-curricular links in science education.
She is a lifelong learner, currently working towards her EdD looking at contribution of coaching in Education.
Stephen Cook, Senior Tutor and Director of SCITTS and Overseas Programmes
Stephen started his teaching career in 1999 and taught Geography and Business Studies in three schools in Essex as a teacher, a middle leader and senior leader between 2000 & 2010. During this time, he also completed a Masters in Educational Leadership. In 2010 he left full time teaching and started educational consultancy work and in 2013 he moved to West Africa where he spent one year as Headteacher of a football academy in Sierra Leone. Upon his return to UK, Stephen started working in Initial Teacher Education for Canterbury Christ Church University, then joined the team of tutors at University of Buckingham.
Holly Naismith, Head of Physical Education
Holly started her teaching career in 2010 as a teacher of Physical Education and Music. She then moved to West London Free School to become Head of Girls’ Games before moving to the role of Director of Sport. Holly then returned to the school she went to as a pupil, Stamford Endowed Schools as Head of Physical Education and lead of ITT.
Holly has always maintained an interest in developing young teachers and is currently studying on the University’s EdD programme with a focus on teacher learning and professional development. Holly is a passionate sports woman and has played Hockey at national league level. She has completed her Great Britain Advanced coaching programme certification and currently coaches a men’s national league team.
Mark Attenburrow, Senior Lecturer, Physical Education
Mark has 37 years teaching experience in schools to Deputy Head and Director of Centre level. He has led both a Physical Education Department and a Sports Faculty. His involvement in teacher training started in 2015 at The University of Buckingham where he subsequently became a lead tutor for Physical Education. Mark also has experience of leading a PGCE programme for the UEA. Mark’s sporting background includes competing for GB in Kayak Slalom and playing rugby for his county.
Amanda Parker-Jones, Course Developer
Amanda has taught for over 20 years. Her work in education has also involved working for a leading exam board for over 15 years, in her role as Principal Examiner she helped write and implement the new A Level courses. She brings to the School of Education to share her experience of teaching in single-sex and mixed schools, of day and boarding environments and her interest in supporting teachers and in all things education to develop new courses for the department.