Mrs Shirley Hewitt

Lecturer in Schools Direct and EYTS

I teach on the Bachelor of Education, PGCE Core and PGCE School Direct programmes of study. I also teach on the Master's modules of the PGCE programmes. My specialisms are SEND and inclusion.

I am a Director of a Trust which oversees a group of special education settings in the Midlands. I also review literature for SEBDA.

I have carried out research into the social, emotional and mental health of pupils and how this impacts on their ability to access education with particular reference to school refusers. I have also carried out research in relation to more able pupils and the use of nurture groups in improving their emotional well-being.

I am a Fellow of the University of the First Age.

Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) Law and Politics (French and Mathematics subsidiaries) - Keele University

PGCE (Early Years) - University of Nottingham

PG Cert. Understanding and Managing Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties - University of Leicester

Masters in Learning and Teaching - University of Leicester

PG Cert. HE - University of Derby

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

I have been a qualified teacher for 25 years, working in the primary sector. I have a particular interest in early years provision and special educational needs. I have taught in both rural and inner city schools and have experience in teaching EAL pupils. For several years, I worked for a charity advising schools and parents in relation to children who had special educational needs. My role also included working with social services in relation to child protection procedures.