University Centre Colchester | School of Social Sciences

Teaching course

School of Education

Welcome to the University Centre Colchester School of Social Sciences.
Within the School of Social Sciences you will find a wealth of experience from vocational experts in their fields and cohorts of like minded students with a passion for the subjects to work with as embark on your learning journey. Our students graduate and are very successful in finding careers in their chosen subjects having a key input into the local, regional and national economies.

We have several decades of experience within our departments with lecturers and students working in a collaborative manner in our distinct and friendly small class sizes in the dedicated higher education spaces to assist you to reach your full potential.

Education

When you join the School of Education you will be in one of the oldest departments of the University Centre Colchester having originally started out as St Osyth’s Teacher Training College in 1949 before become a forming part of Colchester Institute in 1979 to the present University Centre Colchester.

Education has always been at the forefront of our Higher Education programmes with exciting and challenging pathways with our BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Initial Teacher Training (PGCE and Certificate of Education) and our taught Master’s Degree in Education. There is something for all existing and aspirating educators whether new to the sector or looking at up-skilling for the next step in your careers.

Neil Barnes, Head of School

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Courses Offered

Health and Social Sciences

BA (Hons)Counselling and Psychotherapy
DipHEPerson-centred Counselling

Sport and Public Services

BA (Hons)Policing Practice

Education and Teaching

BA (Hons)Early Years and Primary Studies
Cert EdLifelong Learning
MAEducation
PGCE (Postgraduate)Lifelong Learning
PGCE (Professional)Lifelong Learning

Michele Fuller is the course leader for University Centre Colchester’s Cert Ed, PGCE and MA Education programmes. She also contributes to the BA (Hons) Education degree and is a personal tutor for under- and postgraduate students.

Her identity as a practitioner is what motivates Michele’s work in Higher Education. She has a particular interest in History of Art, specifically the representation of animals in both European and African Art. Current research focus is on teacher motivation and how this can be considered as part of a teacher training process.

Michele is currently conducting research into mentoring and coaching in both England and South Africa, which is linked to her doctoral studies.

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Rose is the programme lead for the BA (Hons) Early Years and Primary Studies. Rose’s early years background began in a preschool for a domestic violence refuge, offering information and guidance for mothers on rebuilding a family.

Rose started her teaching career with Colchester Institute, teaching on the Early Years BTEC Level 3. This has provided a wealth of knowledge in current needs for preschools in the local area, and supports knowledge of current practice within settings.

She completed an MA in Education and her current research focuses on understanding the impact of school closures on the learning and wellbeing of children who were taught at home through lockdown.

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Rose Baynes-Revett

Lindsay Horsley in lecturer in Counselling and teaches the following modules: Counselling/professional practice; Working with Children & Young People; Mental Health. She is a personal tutor and a dissertation supervisor. Lindsay joined University Centre Colchester as a lecturer in Counselling in 2015.

Lindsay is a registered accredited member of the British Association Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a Barnardo’s LINK Counsellor. In addition to lecturing, Lindsay continues to work in private practice.

Initially qualifying and experience with counselling adults, her practice evolved and with further CPD and expanded to working with young people. Her specific area of interest and experience is working with individuals in care and those affected by adoption.

Read staff profile

Neil Barnes is Head of School of Social Sciences and University Centre Colchester’s Director of Teaching and Learning. As an academic, he contributes to PGCE and MA Education programmes.

Neil has taught in an independent school and public service organisations as well as having five years’ experience as a course leader in Further Education. He was a physical training instructor in the Army and new probation police officer trainer for Suffolk Constabulary.

His research interests centre on motivation. Neil has recently conducted studies into Further Education student success, Initial Teacher Education in easing the transition of moving from industry to teaching and the importance of induction.

Read staff profile

Neil Barnes

Neil Barnes is Head of School of Social Sciences and University Centre Colchester’s Director of Teaching and Learning. As an academic, he contributes to PGCE and MA Education programmes.

Neil has taught in an independent school and public service organisations as well as having five years’ experience as a course leader in Further Education. He was a physical training instructor in the Army and new probation police officer trainer for Suffolk Constabulary.

His research interests centre on motivation. Neil has recently conducted studies into Further Education student success, Initial Teacher Education in easing the transition of moving from industry to teaching and the importance of induction.

Read staff profile

Michele Fuller

Michele Fuller is the course leader for University Centre Colchester’s Cert Ed, PGCE and MA Education programmes. She also contributes to the BA (Hons) Education degree and is a personal tutor for under- and postgraduate students.

Her identity as a practitioner is what motivates Michele’s work in Higher Education. She has a particular interest in History of Art, specifically the representation of animals in both European and African Art. Current research focus is on teacher motivation and how this can be considered as part of a teacher training process.

Michele is currently conducting research into mentoring and coaching in both England and South Africa, which is linked to her doctoral studies.

Read staff profile

Lindsay Horsley

Lindsay Horsley in lecturer in Counselling and teaches the following modules: Counselling/professional practice; Working with Children & Young People; Mental Health. She is a personal tutor and a dissertation supervisor. Lindsay joined University Centre Colchester as a lecturer in Counselling in 2015.

Lindsay is a registered accredited member of the British Association Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a Barnardo’s LINK Counsellor. In addition to lecturing, Lindsay continues to work in private practice.

Initially qualifying and experience with counselling adults, her practice evolved and with further CPD and expanded to working with young people. Her specific area of interest and experience is working with individuals in care and those affected by adoption.

Read staff profile

Sarah Muller

Sarah Muller is the Programme Leader for Health and Psychosocial Studies, teaching across the Health and Psychosocial Studies and Education degrees.

Sarah has extensive experience of supporting schools and working on complex cases. She also has a wide range of experience in national and international children’s and family work, having lived and worked in the UK and Africa.

With over 20 years’ experience and qualifications in Therapy, SEND, Sexual Health and HIV Social Work practice, Sarah’s ongoing social work and direct practice inform her teaching delivery in her role..

University Centre Colchester - What our students say

Brett - BA (Hons) Management of Sport

“The degree tests and pushes your personal development, especially communicating between client and designers/web developers. It also allows freedom to add your own influence to client briefs to create a top quality product”

Brett - BA (Hons) Management of Sport

Chantal - BSc Health and Psychosocial Studies

“I enjoy studying here due to the fantastic support available, returning to study as a mature student means balancing life and work and incorporating study. The learning experience is productive and not overwhelming”

Chantal -BSc Hons Health and Psychosocial Studies

Keisha - BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

“I enjoy being able to put the theory into practice. By learning the theory, I am able to understand a greater understanding as to why we coach in certain ways and we use certain theory with a particular age group of children.”

Keisha - BSc Hons Sports Coaching

Megan - BSc (Hons) Management of Sport / PGCE in Education

“It didn’t matter what day of the week it was there was always someone there for me. The smaller class sizes give you much more quality tutor time, and 1-1 support, they really get to know you.”

Megan P - BA (Hons) Management of Sport

Megan - BA (Hons) Early Years

“I chose to study here because of the small class sizes and the vocational aspect of the degree are really important to me. During my placement I’m able to put what I have learnt into practice when working with children”

Megan - BA (Hons) Early Years

Rob - BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

“The course is a full degree that only requires us to attend lectures twice a week. This allows us as students to gain real experience within the industries we are looking to go into post-graduation.”

Rob - BSc Hons Sports Coaching