Senior Lecturer in Education Early Years

Senior Lecturer in Education Early Years, Northamptonshire

£36,661 - £45,053 per annum

The University of Northampton is seeking innovative educational professionals to join the thriving academic community within the School of Education.

40 years of excellence in initial teacher training, early years education provision and at the forefront of developing the new Early Years Teacher Status, we are seeking a dynamic educational professional to join our successful multidisciplinary early years team.

Providing course Leadership for the BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies, we particularly welcome applications from educational professionals with a health and/or social care background relevant to Early Years.

The School of Education at the University of Northampton is seeking a dynamic, innovative and creative professional to join our highly successful, multi-disciplinary Early Years team. You will contribute to teaching, learning and research related to the needs of young children and their families across the School's programmes. This full-time position is available at an appropriate point on Grade 8.

Graduates from all professional/ academic backgrounds will be considered. However, in order to maintain a broadly-based multi-professional team, we would welcome applicants with a health and/or social care background.

The post will be located in the School of Education, Division of Early Years at Park Campus which offers a broad range of programmes in the subject area of Early years, including the Foundation Degree in Early Years, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, MA Education ( Early years) and an evolving CPD programme - Early Inspirations. It is also a national provider of Early Years Teacher Status. Whilst the appointee may be expected to contribute to any of the School's activities, the principal duties will be linked to academic leadership of the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies.

The School's regional, national and international profile and reputation has grown rapidly across the past decade in relation to Early Years. It also has a national reputation for quality, consistently achieving the highest outcomes in External Audit (QAA 2014). The School works with an extensive and diverse range of over 400 partnerships including schools, nurseries and private, voluntary and independent providers. Work-based learning and/or placements are an integral part of all programmes and we draw on the extensive experience of senior staff in partner organisations to provide mentoring and support for many of our students.

The Early Years team is highly innovative and externally-facing. Increasingly our work is extending its international reach through offering training, and consultancy to professionals, practitioners and academic colleagues in areas including Kurdistan, Kazkhstan and Mauritius and working closely with UNICEF. We are active members of 4Children, NCB, ISSA and DECET and committed to developing staff and student research projects, study visits and exchanges across Europe (including Hungary, Sweden and Tuscany). Staff in Early Years are research active and regularly present at national and international conferences using their research to inform practice thereby continually improving learning and teaching opportunities for students.

The post holder will have excellent professional and subject knowledge in early years together with the ability to convey this with skill and enthusiasm to a wide range of undergraduate students, professionals, early years practitioners and other staff. The post requires excellent skills and knowledge in a relevant area of practice, innovative approaches to learning & teaching, and effective collaborative working with a range of academic, professional and support staff to support the delivery and quality assurance of programmes. The development of blended and on-line learning is a strategic goal to enhance our regional and international activity.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multi-professional team who are reflective and self-critical professionals in their own fields and share a passionate commitment to improving the lives of young children and their families.

All teaching and learning within the School of Education is underpinned by research and scholarly activity, and it is expected that the successful candidate will contribute to research and consultancy. For applicants who are currently working in professional contexts, the School offers an extensive programme of staff development linked to teaching and learning in higher education (PGCTHE) leading to HEA recognition. A probationary period of 12 months applies during which mentoring and regular supervision are provided. In addition, if not held already, all staff are expected and supported to achieve a higher degree at Masters (MA) and/or Doctoral (Ph.D) level

The School's programmes are primarily provided at the University's Park Campus however a range of other venues are also used. Our extensive partnership work involves visiting schools and Early Years' settings to supervise and support students and work collaboratively with settings' staff. The post holder will therefore be required to travel as necessary. Expenses are paid at an agreed rate.

Quote Ref: UN1358
Closing Date: 27 April 2014

To apply online please visit https://jobs.northampton.ac.uk  

The University of Northampton as an employer strives to achieve diversity among its staff which reflects the communities it serves.