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Personal Profile For Mrs Rachael Jefferson-Buchanan
Senior Lecturer: Primary PE, Professional and Education Studies. School of Education.
BEd (Hons) Specialist Physical Education & Special Educational Needs [Chelsea School of Human Movement, Brighton University], MA Dance Studies [University of Surrey].
Personal Statement:
Having obtained a BEd Hons in Physical Education (PE) and Special Educational Needs in 1988, I began my teaching career at a secondary comprehensive in Basildon, Essex. For two years, I taught PE and GCSE Dance. In 1990, I moved to Switzerland, to work as a PE/GCSE Dance teacher in the International School of Geneva (Founex campus). After 6 years of teaching students of all ages (5-18), I decided to return to the UK and embark upon an MA in Dance Studies at the University of Surrey. It was a wonderful opportunity to become a student once more!
When I returned to Switzerland in 1997, I was appointed Head of PE. In the years that followed, I had two lovely daughters, and shortly afterwards began my writing career alongside teaching full-time. Since the new millennium I have published many teacher resources and articles in the areas of PE and Dance, as well as a book on Fundamental Movement Skills in August 2009. I am currently undertaking my PhD at The University of Birmingham and various research-related Masters modules at the University of the West of England.
I began lecturing in PE and Dance at BSU during January 2004, and the majority of my work is with Primary and Middle Years PGCE students. I also teach Dance within the modules entitled "Arts in Education" and "Creative Connections" (Education Studies), and I have created and led a "Dance Criticism and Analysis" module and various other lectures on the Level 3 "Dance Research Project" module for BA Hons Dance undergraduates. In January 2007 I began leading a new Education Studies module entitled "Health and Movement in Young Children"; this links my interest in "Fundamental Movement Skills" with work from my diploma in "Research on Yoga in Education".
Since joining the School of Education I have forged strong connections between Bath Spa University, various partnership schools, and local/national/international sports organisations and bodies. This has been possible through the extensive and highly popular 'extra sports courses' programme that I now coordinate for all teacher trainees. In addition, I have made the most of every opportunity to work closely with colleagues from other BSU schools. My philosophy is essentially 'strength in numbers' and I have sought to promote collaboration at every level of my work. For this and other endeavours I was delighted to receive the title of "Teaching Fellow" (rising star category) in December 2007. A few months later I was awarded a 2008 Universities' Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) travel scholarship to pursue my PhD research on Fundamental Movement Skills in Perth, Western Australia. I am even more inspired now to continue with my teaching and research efforts. Indeed, after more than 13 years abroad it feels great to be back 'home' and be given the opportunity to plough back much of my wide-ranging experience into the education sector through my work with fledgling teachers and dance/education students alike.
Professional Qualifications:
BEd (Hons) in Specialist PE and Special Educational Needs.
MA in Dance Studies (specialisms in Dance Education, Dance Analysis and Criticism, Dance Anthropology, Dance and Gender).
Fundamental Movement Skills UK consultant and facilitator (Edith Cowan University, Western Australia).
"Research on Yoga in Education" two year diploma.
"Developmental Movement Play" certificate (JABADAO).
"Basic Moves" Level 1 Tutor Mentor.
Sherborne Developmental Movement Level 1.
"Multi-Skills" Level 1.
Women's Four Piece Gymnastics Club Coach, Rhythmic Gymnastics Club Coach and Club Judge, Recreational Gymnastics Level One, Sports Acrobatics Teacher's Award, TOP Gymnastics Tutor, RLSS Bronze Life Saving Award, Swimming Preliminary Teacher's Award, Track and Field Assistant Club Coach, Basketball Preliminary Teacher's Award, Cardio-Funk Aerobics Instructor's Certificate Level One, Reebok Steps Instructor Certificate Level One, Netball: Coaching Players Aged 7-11 Years, Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Orienteering, TOP Tots and TOP Start Tutor.
Foreign Languages at Work Certificate: German.
Membership of Professional Bodies/Subject Associations:
Society for Education Consultants.
Association for Physical Education: consultant within the National College for CPD.
National Dance Teachers' Association: an executive committee member since January 2004, assistant editor of the NDTA "Dance Matters" publication, advertising manager.
Research on Yoga in Education UK: a member of their education and research committees.
International Council of Sport Science and PE.
AIESEP (International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education).
International Dance Council - CID.
BaNES PE and School Sport Steering Group.
British Gymnastics.
England Netball.
Teaching Specialism:
Dance (Education, Analysis, Anthropology, Gender, research methods).
Physical Education (particularly Gymnastics, Aerobics, Yoga, Health and Fitness, motor skill development).
Special Educational Needs.
Key Publications/Exhibitions/Performances:
KEY PUBLICATIONS:
Book:
Jefferson-Buchanan, R. (2009) "Fundamental Fun: 132 Activities to develop Fundamental Movement Skills". Oxon: STEPS PD.
Teachers' TV:
Commissioned to make two Teachers TV programmes in September 2008: "KS1 PE: Fundamental Movement Skills" (http://www.teachers.tv/video/31183) and "KS1/2 PE: Yoga Across the Curriculum" (http://www.teachers.tv/video/31194).
Higher Education the Arts and Schools (HEARTS):
Davies, D., Hay, P., Jefferson-Buchanan, R. and Black, P. (2008) "HEARTS the Bath Spa Experience". Unpublished paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 3-6 September 2008. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/176451.doc
Classroom Resources Ltd, May 2002 onwards:
"Gymnastic Schemes of Work" (teacher resource: 54 pages), "Circuit Training Schemes of Work" (teacher resource: 115 pages), "Dance Appreciation: Useful Dance Definitions and Related Word Puzzles" (teacher resource: 54 pages).
Dance Matters, December 2004 onwards:
"Beatrix Potter Boogies on Down: A Resource for Key Stage 1 and 2", "Primary Resources", "Review of 321 GO!" (an interactive CD-ROM for 4-7 year olds), "Word Search KS3/4: 30 Choreographic Terms" (no. 41, Autumn 2004), "The Dance Teacher's Survival Guide by Kathy Sexton" (no. 42, Spring 2005), "Health and Fitness Crossword" and "Fundamental Movement Skills in Dance: A Health Perspective" (no. 43, Autumn 2005), Resource Reviews: "Melody Bear's First Dancing Class Book 1 and CD by Jill Bridger" and "Stephen Thornton's Zigzag Resources for Dance" (no. 46, Summer 2006), Review: "Workshop A: Development of Early Motor Skills: Staffordshire Programme for all Children" (no. 47, Spring 2007), Resource Reviews: "LaFour Prima Dance Programme", "NRG CD-Rom: Be Healthy through Dance", "STEP DANCE - Wild Child Mini Resource Pack 1" (no. 48, Summer 2007), "Dance is Culture, Culture is Dance: the Multicultural and Anthropological Debate" (no. 53, Autumn 2008), "Editorial - NDTA Annual Conference and AGM: Gaining Momentum, Moving Forward", Review: "Workshop K: Chitraleka Bolar, Artistic Director, Chitraleka Dance Company" (no. 54, Spring 2009), Resource Review: "Get Set and Dance! Ludus Dance", "Improving the Quality of Performance Skills in Children and Young People" (no. 55, Summer 2009, Resources Pages, Early Years: Fundamental Fun and Review: The Khatakali DVD Set: History of the Mudras and A Dictionary of Khatakali Sign Language (no. 56, Autumn 2009).
ICSSPE Journal, September 2002 onwards:
"What is Sport Doing to Help Raise Awareness on Environmental Issues? A Dance Perspective" (September 2002), "Feminising Physical Education" (www.icsspe.org, March 2003), "Dance as a Health-Promoting Activity for Young Children" (Bulletin 49, www.icsspe.org, January 2007).
Physical Education Matters, June 2006 onwards:
"An Introduction to Research on Yoga in Education (RYE)" (Summer 2006), Review: "AIESEP World Congress" (Autumn 2006), "High Quality Primary Dance - Are Stories a 'Magic Formula'?", Review: "NDTA Annual Conference", Journal Review: "Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy" (Spring 2007), School Visit... Weston All Saints Church of England Primary School (Autumn 2009).
Research in Dance Education Journal, December 2002 onwards:
Book Review (2500 words): "Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance" (Vol. 3, no. 2, 2002), Book and Video Review (2500 words): "The Erick Hawkins Modern Dance Technique" (Vol. 5, no. 2, 2005).
www.yourfamily.org.uk (sponsored by NSPCC):
Physical development charts for children aged 1-9 years (1800 words, May 2008): http://www.yourfamily.org.uk/parenting_zone/your_child/development
www.realhistories.org.uk (The Real Histories Directory)
Jefferson-Buchanan, R. and Cottam, S. 2008. Diversity in the National Curriculum Dance (November 2008): http://www.realhistories.org.uk/articles/archive/daversity-in-the-national-curriculum-dance.html
CONFERENCES and WORKSHOPS:
2006:
AIESEP World Congress in Jyvaskyla, Finland: presented two papers on "Dance as a Health-Promoting Activity for Young Children" and "Dance and Sport: Relationships and Tensions".
National Dance Teachers' Association annual conference in Elmhurst School for Dance, Birmingham: workshop facilitator and reporter.
2007:
Association for PE annual conference in Cheshire: presented "Fundamental Movement Skills" workshop.
British Education Studies Association annual conference at Bath Spa University: presented a paper on "Research on Yoga in Education".
Led Fundamental Movement Skills facilitator course (4 days) in Northern Ireland and Bath.
National Dance Teachers' Association annual conference at Laban, London: workshop facilitator and reporter.
European Council of International Schools annual conference in Madrid: invited speaker for three seminars on primary dance, fundamental movement skills and research on yoga in education.
2008:
University of Roehampton annual Primary PE conference in London: presented a practical workshop in dance - "Twinkle Toes Tiggy Winkle".
Led a Fundamental Movement Skills facilitator course (4 days) in Bath.
National Dance Teachers' Association annual conference at Elmhurst, Birmingham: workshop facilitator and reporter.
2009:
Association for PE annual conference in the Cotswolds: invited speaker in the research section - "An interrogation of the aims of primary physical education through a critical analysis of movement programmes and initiatives".
European Inclusive Physical Education Training on Inclusion in Dublin.
Universities' Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET): invited speaker - paper on "An interrogation of the aims of primary physical education through a critical analysis of the Western Australian programme Fundamental Movement Skills (STEPS PD)".
National Dance Teachers' Association annual conference at Elmhurst, Birmingham: workshop facilitator and reporter.
Ongoing delivery of Youth Sport Trust modules in TOP Athletics, TOP Dance, and TOP Gymnastics courses for primary teachers throughout BaNES.
Current Scholarship:
PhD: "An Interrogation of the Aims of Primary Physical Education through a Critical Analysis of a Range of Movement Programmes and Initiatives", University of Birmingham.
PGCert in Research Degree Supervision and Research Management, Bath Spa University.
Chapter on Dance/Fundamental Movement Skills for a forthcoming Routledge Primary Physical Education book.
Chapter on Fundamental Movement Skills for a forthcoming David Fulton book entitled "Transitions".
Various MA Modules in Applied Social Research at the University of the West of England (UWE): 'Research Practice', 'Research Methods' (2009-2010).
Other External Roles:
UK consultant and facilitator for "Fundamental Movement Skills" professional development training (STEPS PD). Editor of "Focus on FMS" (STEPS PD).
Primary teacher trainer for BaNES, delivering inservice courses in TOP Athletics, TOP Dance and TOP Gymnastics.
Executive Committee Member of "National Dance Teachers' Association". Advertising manager and assistant editor for "Dance Matters" (National Dance Teachers' Association Publication).
Recent Professional Updating:
Four day AIESEP (The International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education) World Congress in Jyvaskyla, Finland, 5th-8th July 2006.
National Dance Teachers' Association Conference in Birmingham, 18th November 2006.
"Every Child Matters" workshop, Bath Spa University, 9th May 2007.
"Research on Yoga in Education" 2-year diploma, January 2006 - August 2007.
Fundamental Movement Skills STEPS PD Consultancy Training, June 2006 - January 2007.
PGCert in Research Degree Supervision (module 1), February - June 2007.
Two day Association for PE conference in Chester, 11th-13th July 2007.
British Education Studies Association annual conference at Bath Spa University, 6th July 2007.
National Dance Teachers' Association Conference in London, 17th November 2007.
Three day ECIS (European Conference of International Schools) Conference in Madrid, 23rd-25th November 2007.
PGCert in Research Management (module 2), October 2007 - January 2008.
Sherborne Developmental Movement Level 1 course, Rolle College, Exmouth, 19th March 2008.
Developmental Movement Play Certificate Course (JABADAO: National Centre for Movement, Learning and Health), Leeds, 20th-21st May 2008, 24th-25th June 2008 and 19th May 2009.
Basic Moves Hybrid Level 1/2 and Tutor Mentor Course, Monkton Combe Junior School and Roehampton University, 27th-28th May 2008, 26th-27th June 2008.
National Dance Teachers' Association Conference in Birmingham, 22nd November 2008.
Multi-Skill Training: An Introduction to the FUNdamentals of Movement (MS2), University of Bath, 26th February 2009.
Consultancy Training for afPE: "Adults Supporting Learning", "High Quality Teaching and Learning", "Safe Practice", "Risk Management", September 2008 onwards.
"Symposium on the Psychology of Dance: Research and Application", University of Birmingham, 29th May 2009.
European Research on Yoga in Education summer school, Sicily, 25th-31st July 2009.
European Inclusive Physical Education Training(EIPET) conference on Inclusion, Dublin, 23rd October 2009.
Universities' Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) conference: 'New and continuing perspectives in teacher education', 9th-10th November 2009.
MA modules (Applied Research Practice) in "Research Practice" and "Research Methods" at the University of the West of England, September 2009 - May 2010.
Last Updated: 02 January 2010.
This page is created by the above named individual. The views expressed are theirs and are not those of Bath Spa University. BSU is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced.
