Undergraduate Prospectus 2013 - University of Winchester

katie gillingham
Teaching: Initial Teacher Education
“I knew Winchester had a great reputation for
teaching and once I had visited, nowhere else
could compare,” says Katie Gillingham, a Year
2 Primary Education student from Hemel
Hempstead.
“Primary Education was a natural choice
for me as I want to work with children and
have had some experience helping out at a
Brownie group and volunteering in schools.
“I liked the fact that we have work placements
before we start the course and one at the end
of the first term. This experience at such an
early stage means I knew very quickly this was
the right course for me.
“I have found it fascinating to explore
the theory behind the practice – and the
impact it has on children’s learning. In the
Professional Studies module, we looked at
different theorists and their contrasting ideas
on how children learn – from Piaget’s views
on cognitive development to Vygotsky’s
focus on the importance of social interaction.
A lot of the concepts make sense to me and
I could see how they could be useful in my
own teaching.”
Katie, who also fits in work as a Student
Ambassador for the University, studies PE as
her specialist subject. “Eventually I would like
to work as a subject leader in PE at a school
but I would also like the opportunity to teach
abroad, perhaps in Africa or Europe. The
lecturers here have always been encouraging
and have equipped me with the methods for
a successful career.”
Undergraduate Prospectus 2013 127