Bridget Bircumshaw

I believe in an integrated approach to continued lifelong learning and widening participation. After 20 years in Industry I joined Chesterfield College in 2005, to teach as an hourly paid lecturer alongside my own Integrated Health Business. This involved teaching on a wide range of qualifications from levels 1 to 3 delivering to 14 to 75yr 0lds. In 2009, I obtained a permanent fractional lecturing position and started to widen my teaching range, teaching on the level 4 and 5 Fd Degree courses accredited through Universities, becoming a full-time lecturer during 2015. Having trained as an assessor, I completed IV qualifications and extra Training Assessment Quality Assurance qualifications IQA, IQV to enable teaching on the TAQA program assessing across all levels in and out of college. Studying with SHU, I completed mentoring units at level 7 to then move to successfully mentor and deliver Staff Development training. Throughout 2012, I successfully pioneered an Employer Engagement program to help integrate WBL through viable employer links and networking for the benefit of students, employers and staff. This led on to becoming part of the Excellence and Quality Observation Team resulting in observing staff on a regular basis. As part of the development for the need to up skill staff I became Technology Enhanced Learning Lead Practitioner with a remit to integrate and assess TEL in line with minimum standards within College and Industry. I have been praised for my outstanding levels of theoretical and practical application, using initiative and innovation outside normal remits. This has been confirmed by continuous outstanding observation grades and commendations in reports of excellent practice, with my work being used by SV and EV’s as training for outside institutions. As a Personal Tutor, I employ higher level communication skills, referral processes and support mechanisms. I have exceptional organisation, presentation and communication skills and am in touch with current thinking and initiatives; coordinating events and delivering training to cascade skills. I have a passion for IT, VLE and accessibility, Flipped Learning and differentiation to enable every learner’s needs to be met every time they encounter TLA. I am now teaching on the Teacher Training qualification and the PPHSC Degree alongside my Coaching and have the remit to influence others practice.

I have a gamut of experience through Industry based occupations that have enabled a rich raft of skills to be developed. I have been exceptionally lucky to have studied and worked with Dr Jane Buckle and Angie Buxton-King on pioneering work in Integrated Health during the 2000’s as well as other wonderful exponents of their modalities. I have been a Self Employed Therapist, Illustrator, Lecturer, Life Coach, Consultant and Speaker. Worked in schools, community, FE and HE, as well as being a Counsellor; working with all members of the public; employing confidentiality, empathy, motivational interviewing and higher level communication skills. Co-running a Cancer Charity to; manage staff and clinic facilities, working with clients on a psychological and physiological basis to aid recovery. Designing and delivering courses, providing therapies and Counselling for cancer clients and their carers, End of Life pathways and palliative care and facilitating a learning environment and worked in a NHS Doctors practice; providing complimentary services to anxiety and pain clinic patients through complementary healthcare. I am a founding member of the Chartered College of Teaching and an ambassador for the commitment to lifelong learning and integrated practice through; the continued development and assessment of education, employability and employer engagement. To further enhance the learning experience to meet individuals’ requirements and widen participation through the use of technology.

I hold a qualified Teaching PCET Cert Ed, Internal Quality Assurance Assessment Certificates. Degree in Complementary Therapies and Integrated Health Practices and FdA Foundation Degree in Art and Design. I have L7 qualifications in Reflecting on Professional Learning and Mentoring and a myriad of vocational and technical qualifications. Still continuing to gather technology qualifications and looking to start a Doctorate in Education in Jan 2019, whilst progressing with relevant and supportive CPD in line with Professional bodies and vocational criterion.