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Dr Catharine Bleasdale

Profile summary

  • Regional Academic Staff
  • Primary Curriculum Tutor
  • Faculty of Wellbeing, Education & Language Studies
  • School of Education, Childhood, Youth & Sport
  • Education
  • catharine.bleasdale

Web links

Professional biography

I have been a teacher educator for over 20 years, working with undergraduate, post-graduate and work-based student teachers undertaking their Initial Teacher Education. Although I am a primary practitioner, I have worked on both primary and secondary ITE programmes. My professional interest focuses on partnership working - developing and enhancing provision through co-construction and co-working to ensure high quality teacher education that responds to the expectations of the Professional Standards. My role as a Primary Curriculum Tutor within the PGCE Wales team gives me the opportunity to engage with student teachers, their mentors, school co-ordinators and practice tutors to support their progress towards the award of Qualified Teacher Status. 

Research interests

Teacher Professional Identity (TPI) development - my PhD study focuses on student teachers' TPI development during their Initial Teacher Education. It considers the influence of self and others in the trajectory of individuals' TPI development, and the concept of 'fitting in' to the Community of Practice of teachers.

I also have an interest in the field of coaching and mentoring in relation to ITE. Most recently, I have been involved in a project with the Lesotho College of Education focusing on developing the coaching and mentoring skills of the 'co-operating teachers' (mentors) within the schools supporting student teachers on teaching practice. 

Teaching interests

As a Primary Curriculum Tutor, I am engaged in supporting student teachers in their understanding of many aspects of primary education in Wales, including learning and teaching, curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment, reflection & professional learning. I have a particular interest in Language, Literacy and Communication, and am keen to encourage the use of dramatic approaches to engage pupils in their learning. 

Impact and engagement

My involvement with Practice Tutor development involves supporting Practice Tutors with their role in order to impact positively on provision for student teachers within the PGCE Wales partnership.

I work with Dolen Cymru (charity) as a member of their Education committee to develop provision for Initial Teacher Education within Lesotho.

Publications

Attracting under represented groups to train to teach in Wales (2023-04-26)
Stewart, Sarah and Bleasdale, Catharine
In : 7th Biennial International Conference on Access, Participation and Success: ‘Through the looking glass: How Higher Education is using the lens of access, participation, and success to create equity for all students’ (26-27 Apr 2023, The Open University [Online])

Professional conversations: Improving practice through collaborative reflection (2024-09-04)
Thomas, Angela; Bleasdale, Catharine; Clifton, Grace and Glover, Alison
The Open University, Wales-PGCE, Cardiff: UK.

Using video in Initial Teacher Education: Investigating the use of video technology for reflection on lessons (2023-06)
Glover, A.; Thomas, A.; Bleasdale, C.; Jones, M.; Stewart, S. and Rees-Davies, T.
Wales-PGCE, Cardiff, Wales.