Education & SEND (BA)
Welcome
Welcome to Education and SEND. Here you will find everything that you need to settle into the programme.
We are delighted to welcome you to Education and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
During welcome week, you will get to meet the teaching staff and your fellow students. We have a range of exciting activities planned that will make you feel at home as you begin your studies with us.
We will be outlining some of the modules that you will be studying and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have. Here is some information that you will find useful as we welcome you to our course.
Semester 1
Week beginning: 22 September 2025
- Monday: 3pm to 6pm
- Tuesday: 9am to 12pm
- Thursday: 12pm to 3pm
Full details of your individual academic timetable, including Semester 2 timetable which may differ, will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.
Please take time to familiarise yourself with key issues around education.
You can do this by exploring news websites such BBC Education, Guardian or Times Educational Supplement or engaging in reading around Education Studies such as “An Introduction to Education Studies” by Bartlett and Burton.
Induction will take place on:
- Tuesday 16 September
- 10:30am to 12pm (Room DA118)
- 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Room CH004)
This will be an opportunity to meet the team, learn more about the course and collect your ID badge. Please bring an object with you that represents you education experience.
IMPORTANT: Please bring your photo ID with you to complete the ID verification check for Student Finance confirmation.
We are a warm, welcoming team who have a range of professional expertise that you will draw upon during your studies with us.
The Education Studies includes: Dr. Steve Dixon, Dr. Ben Johnson, Andrew Edgar, Dr. Linda Enow, Dr Jo Trowsdale and Miranda Barker.
Dr Steve Dixon
Steve is a Senior Lecturer in Education, Childhood and Professional Studies, and teaches on a range of programmes, including the BA (Hons) in Studies in Primary Education, the Foundation Degree in Education, Teaching and Learning in Practice, the MA (Education) and the Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD), for which he also supervises doctoral students.
Previously a Senior Lecturer in ICT, Steve specialises in E-learning, and the use of multimedia in learning and teaching, with particular focus on web-based materials and web design, as well as film making (he is an Apple Certified Pro). He also acts as external consultant and external examiner for other universities.
He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Executive Committee of BESA (the British Education Studies Association), for which he acts as Secretary. He is on the Board of Reviewers for the journals: Pastoral Care in Education, Educational Futures and Transformations, and is currently co-editor of Educational Futures.
Dr Ben Johnson
Dr Ben Johnson – Ben is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Newman University. He has over eight years’ experience of teaching and leadership in Primary schools setting across the UK. He completed his PhD in 2020 conducting a narrative inquiry into teachers’ perceptions on creating communities of practice that disrupt heteronormativity in primary schools.
Andrew Edgar
Andrew is a Senior Lecturer in Education, Childhood and professional Studies. Andrew teaches a range of courses relating to the primary curriculum and SEND. Andrew has a special interest in neurodiversity and the experiences of neurodivergent children within the primary school system. He was a primary school teacher prior to working at Birmingham Newman University.
Dr Linda Enow
Linda is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Education, Childhood and Professional Studies within the Faculty of Education. She teaches on the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
On the undergraduate programmes, Linda’s teaching focuses on alternative education, reflective practice and research methods. Her postgraduate contribution centres on learning, teaching and educational assessment. Linda is also the MA Education (Online) programme leader.
Dr Jo Trowsdale
Jo Trowsdale is Senior Lecturer in Education, Childhood and Professional Studies.
She leads the MA in Education (on-campus), teaching Sociology of Education and Research Methods. She also teaches Creativity for BA Education Studies.
Jo has extensive experience in teacher education in both primary and secondary phases. As a regional director of the national Creative Partnerships programme (2002-11) she enabled school improvement, curricula and pedagogic developments between professional artists, businesses and teachers.
Her research is concerned with the importance of ‘art making’ practices as a context for more personally meaningful, inter- and transdisciplinary learning that stimulates pupils’ affective as well as cognitive dimensions. This includes the role of the arts in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education.
Jo is a co-convenor for the new STEAM Education Research network of the British Education Research Association (BERA) and continues to work directly with schools, teachers, pupils and artists. She is a Senior Fellow of the HEA.
Miranda Barker
Miranda is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. She works within the Education, Childhood and Professional Studies courses teaching on the BA in Studies in Primary Education, Education and SEND as well as Master’s and Foundation Level courses.
Miranda has been a primary teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Multi-Academy Trust Lead for SEND and Inclusion and a Specialist Teacher for Warwickshire Local Authority.
You will be studying a range of modules, the Philosophy of Education, an Academic Skills module, Child development. Modules are taught by our team of friendly and supportive lecturers.
You will be engaged in a range of learning and teaching opportunities including lectures, seminars, workshops and independent study.
Access services and support throughout your degree
At Birmingham Newman, you’re never alone.
We’re here to support you at every stage, whether it’s academic guidance, wellbeing support, or career advice.
Here are some of the ways we can help:
- Academic support – Help with assignments and study skills
- WellBeing services – Mental health support, counselling, and wellbeing resources
- Career services – CV advice, placements, and future career planning
- Disability support – Tailored support and adjustments for your needs
- E-Learning Support – Help with E-Learning systems and submitting online assignments
- Finance advice – Guidance on tuition fees, funding, and budgeting
- International support – Help with visas and cultural adjustments
If you’re unsure where to start or what support you need, just ask – we’re happy to help.
Key information
Induction
- Tuesday 16 September 2025
Teaching Start Date
- Week beginning: 22 September 2025
Subject Lead
Contact details
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