SPACE

sPACE

The magazine for Bath Spa University students and staff | Autumn 2015

Bath Spa scoops ÂŁ600k grant for creative writing hub

Acting tutor secretly involved in creation of Dismaland

5 minutes with ... interview with cake GURU Mary Berry

vice-chancellor update

W

elcome to this new look autumn issue of SPACE, the University’s magazine for students and staff.

The autumn term is always busy and this year was no exception. I began the year by launching our new strategy for 2020 setting out our ambitions and plans for the next five years (more on page 11).

Our vision to be a leading university for creativity, culture and enterprise is being realised and this new strategy will continue to drive us forward in this endeavour.

SPACE magazine is published seasonally for Bath Spa University students and staff.

Want to get involved?

Email spacemag@bathspa.ac.uk Editor Jennifer Davies

The start of this academic year was also marked with some excellent news. I was delighted in August when we scored 90 per cent for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey, our highest ever result and placing us in the top 20 universities in the UK. This result confirmed my view that our investment in new outstanding facilities combined with excellent teaching has had a direct impact on the student experience.

There was further good news in September when it was announced that Bath Spa is now ranked 58 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide – a jump up of 12 places.

We were also ranked eighth best modern university in the UK and sixth best overall for teaching quality.

Features Jane Wakefield Alexandra Snell Design Rosie Maynard

This issue of SPACE includes numerous examples of success stories, so I hope you enjoy reading about your fellow students and colleagues and if you have any feedback on the new style or suggested contributions, please contact the editorial team by emailing spacemag@bathspa.ac.uk

Contributors James Woodhams Dr Kyriaki Hadjiafxendi Photography Chris Wakefield Tania Richards Front cover April George, MA Fine Art Twitter

@bathspauni

Facebook /bath.spa.university

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CONTENTS

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ON the cover 4

Bath Spa scoops £600k grant for creative writing education hub

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Acting tutor secretly involved in creation of Banksy’s Dismaland

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5 minutes with … Mary Berry, a quick interview with the queen of cakes

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Regulars

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University news Autumn in pictures SPACE to shout Your tweets, posts, lists, letters and feedback

Features

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SPACE to chat You don’t always have to stick to the plan: Current MA student James Woodhams tells us how it’s perfectly alright to change your career goals while studying

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SPACE to talk Reigniting a passion for the Devonshire coast: Dr Kyriaki Hadjiafxendi, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, tells us why involving children in learning through experience is so important

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University news

Jerwood Drawing Prize celebrates 21 years The Jerwood Drawing Prize celebrated its 21st year in September with a spectacular exhibition featuring 60 works by 58 shortlisted artists.

The Jerwood Drawing Prize is a joint initiative, led by Professor Anita Taylor, Dean of Bath School of Art and Design and supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation through its contemporary gallery programme Jerwood Visual Arts in London and on tour nationally.

The Bath School of Art and Design was represented on the judging panel by Professor Dexter Dalwood and eminent alumna, Professor Salima Hashmi.

Two alumni and a current student were shortlisted for the prize and presented their work in the exhibition and following that

a touring exhibition across the UK which continues until June 2016.

Hannah Blight-Anderson graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art in 2015 and Richard Lloyd, also a BA (Hons) Fine Art student from 1980-83 were joined on the shortlist by current MA Fine Art student Caroline Truss.

The winners were selected using an open process, with works judged purely on their merit as drawings. First Prize was awarded to Tom Harrison for his soft, intricate depiction of Singapore from a bird’s-eye view. From Andrew’s Flat, Singapore explores the city’s ‘lush green jungle offset against the lines of the architecture’.

DETAIL OF ’From Andrew’s Flat’ by Tom Harrison

Bath Spa scoops £600k grant for creative writing education hub The University has been awarded a grant of £600,000 by Arts Council England to develop ‘The Creative Writing Education Hub’, a three-year project working alongside 100 schools and a thriving community of arts organisations and creative writers across the South West.

The project will be led by the Department of Creative Writing and the Bath Spa Institute for Education, in partnership with Bath Festivals and The National Association of Writers in Education.

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It will place professional creative writers in schools across the region to deliver workshops to pupils aged eight to 12, equipping them with the skills to write and express themselves imaginatively, developing talent and character.

Creative Director of the Project and Head of Creative Writing at Bath Spa, Bambo Soyinka said: “Creative writing should be part of every child’s education as it develops imaginative thought, language and literary skills. The Creative Writing Education Hub will introduce

school pupils from varied social and cultural backgrounds to the joys of writing and will enable young people to learn alongside professional writers.”

The programme aims to leave a legacy of up-skilled teachers and writers and a sustainable model of best practice for creative writing education that can be adopted by schools across the UK.

University news

Celebrating Equality and Diversity and One World The University celebrated two important weeks during the autumn term – Equality and Diversity Week, and One World Week.

Bath Spa’s first ever One World Week was a huge success and saw staff and students attend important sessions on cultural exchange, student opportunities abroad, and international staff mobility.

There were also opportunities to attend taster sessions in French, Italian, German, Spanish and Mandarin.

As part of Bath Spa’s Equality and Diversity Week, the Library launched its year-long project called Reads and Rights – celebrating equality and diversity in the library.

Each month the campaign will focus on a specific theme including race, gender reassignment, disability, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, dyslexia, mental health, and diversity and equality.

The Library is urging people to get in touch and nominate a book they feel has been most influential in changing attitudes and beliefs in society or has had a personal impact. A bibliography will then be created, along with an online timeline to highlight nominated books.

The online suggestion form can be found on the Library Hub page.

“The Library is urging people to get in touch and nominate a book they feel has been most influential in changing attitudes and beliefs in society or has had a personal impact.” |

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University news

Helping potential Students

Acting tutor secretly involved in the creation of Dismaland Senior Lecturer in Acting, Pat Welsh, were told they would be extras in a film and were recruited by a pretend film studio was covertly involved in Banksy’s recent to avoid suspicion. exhibition, Dismaland.

It took four days of intense training and He was recruited to train 100 people secret drama workshops in the Westonto become stewards at the bemusement super-Mare Royal Hotel before Pat was park. able to reveal to The stewards the group that they needed to be taught “It was a tough brief to be acting as to be as unhelpful have to teach someone to would stewards at Bansky’s as possible, and Pat act deadpan, not to laugh Dismaland on the coached them to be seafront. dismal and aloof and not to over-act.”

Pat, who all part of Banksy’s has never met or had any direct vision for his Dismaland creation. communication with Banksy, said: “It was Pat, who has taught acting at Bath Spa a tough brief to have to teach someone for ten years, and specialises in comedy to act deadpan, not to laugh and not to and live performances, was enlisted by a friend and fellow comedian to help train the over-act. The stewards were there to add to the overall dismal experience, but not to new recruits. outshine the amazing artworks on display.”

The large group of non-performers

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Throughout the autumn term students from local schools and colleges were invited to come along to the drop-in sessions where staff from Bath Spa and the University of Bath offered advice on UCAS personal statements for free.

Dr Sally Griffin, Widening Participation and Access Manager said: “It is vital that all students applying to university can access high quality help and guidance. By working together with the University of Bath in this way, we are able to offer our expertise to any student who wants to apply to university and ensure they submit the best application possible and increase their chances of securing a place on their chosen course.”

PS Bath (Personal Statement Bath) was initiated by the University of Bath in 2013. The drop-in sessions this year continued the successful collaboration between the two universities.

Research fellow talks nuclear power on BBC Points West Dr Mike Hannis, Arts and Humanities Research Council Research Fellow, was filmed by local BBC news programme, Points West for a piece about the controversial Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset. Mike discussed the sustainable energy policy and the environmental credentials of nuclear power.

University news

Celebration event for Bath musical family A special event was held at the Holburne Museum in October to celebrate one of Britain’s most notable musical families.

Organised by the University’s Centre for Musical Research, the event honoured the contribution to music and culture of the Loder family of Bath – 150 years after the death of composer of English opera, Edward James Loder.

The Loders were the leading family of musicians in Bath from the 1790s up to

1850, and the event featured academic discussion about the activities of the Loder family, in addition to wider social aspects of history and culture in Britain between 1790 and 1900.

A highlight of the day was a lunchtime piano recital of the Loder family music

by Dr Charles Wiffen, Acting Dean of the School of Music and Performing Arts, and Bath Spa music students.

Dr Matthew Spring, Reader in Music

said: “Such was the influence of the multibranched Loder family that the 1833 Bath Directory lists eight members of the family active in Bath as professors of music or music business owners.

“The family’s contribution to classical music and culture helped to place this city of Bath on the UK map and is only now gaining full recognition.”

Climbing the rankings in The Times Good University Guide

We’re a pretty safe bet Bath Spa has been named the second safest university in the South West, and sixth safest in the country. The ranking is compiled from official police data, and with an overall average of 18.23 incidents per 1,000 population, universities in the South West have the lowest crime rate in England and Wales.

Country-wide, Canterbury, Bath and Lancaster are the cities with the lowest

cumulative crime rates.

The University came sixth when ranked against nearly 130 other universities and higher education institutions across England and Wales.

The research into the best and worst cities for student-related crimes has been compiled by the Complete University Guide.

Bath Spa is now ranked 58 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, a move up of 12 places. The University was one of the highest climbers this year scoring highly in a number of key areas including teaching quality and the student experience. We were also ranked eighth best modern university in the UK and sixth best overall for teaching quality.

The Times and The Sunday Times have produced university guides since 1993 and 1998 respectively. Since 2013, they have published a combined Good University Guide to provide the most comprehensive guide to higher education in Britain.

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University news

Dean recognised as top social media influencer Dr Kate Reynolds, Dean of the Bath Spa sub-brands such as #becreativeeducate to Institute for Education was named as one support postgraduate and undergraduate of the top 50 social media influencers in work. higher education. Dr Reynolds who Tweets Commenting on her appearance in as @BathSpaEdDean was recognised for the list, she said: “I am delighted to have her use of social media in the development been recognised in this way. The hashtag #becreativebeateacher is indicative of the of the Bath Spa Institute for Education which has evolved from the University’s approach we take to educating teachers at Bath Spa Institute School of Education.

“The hashtag The Bath for Education.

Spa Institute “We believe #becreativebeateacher is teachers have a for Education indicative of the approach huge impact on builds upon a 70 we take to educating year history of the life chances teacher training of children and teachers at Bath Spa young people and and excellent Institute for Education” using social media education research.

It is a community of research and means we can support our Bath Spa practice that brings together students, Teachers both during their training and as teachers, governors, researchers and all they continue their professional journey. educationalists. This creative approach It reflects the way we work and our commitment to bringing creativity to our to building a new ‘brand’ for teacher education is shared via Kate’s hashtag work in developing 21st century education professionals across the globe.” #becreativebeateacher.

Her work has also acted as a catalyst for the development of the ‘Network for Follow Kate Reynolds on Twitter @BathSpaEdDean Learning’, which provides continuous professional development for teachers, and the online brand is now expanding into

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Professor of music collaborates on single that goes to number one Professor of Music, Joe Duddell collaborated on a song that reached number one in four different official UK Charts. Working with poet Mike Garry, the single called St. Anthony was released in memory of record label owner Anthony H Wilson who founded Factory Records.

A fundraising video was released alongside the single and featured guest appearances from actors and musicians including Steve Coogan, Christopher Eccleston, Shaun Ryder, Richard Madelely, Iggy Pop and many more.

The funds from both the video and the single will go to The Christie, a specialist cancer hospital, where Anthony was treated.

University news

Talented students create artwork for five star hotel Three students were commissioned to produce a selection of artworks for the new five star Gainsborough Hotel in Bath. Stefanie Clark, Fine Art, Agnese Matteini, Fine Art, and April George Creative Arts, were selected to produce artwork for the hotel’s restaurant, private dining room and reception room respectively.

The initial proposal included only one commission, but the panel was so impressed with the professionalism and quality of the students’ work, they decided to commission three students to produce three works of art.

Dan Allen, Head of Art and International Activities at Bath School of Art and Design, said: “We are delighted and very proud of Stephanie, Agnese and April in their commissions. This is evidence of the standard of work being produced alongside the professional attitude of so many of our students at the Bath School of Art and Design.”

ARTWORK 1 Artwork by April George located in the hotel bar.

ARTWORK 2 Artwork by Agnese Mattieni in the reception.

Artwork 3 Artwork by Stefanie Clark in the restaurant.

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University news

Stephen Fry – a top pop philosopher?

A list of top-ten ‘pop philosophers’ was developed following the University’s partnership with the ‘Festival of Thought’ event held in the summer. The event focused on how debates from the 17th century are still relevant in today’s society, and there was also discussion about how social media has allowed a greater number of people to access opinions, debate and share views on a variety of subjects without realising they are being philosophical.

Using criteria based on social media followers, number of books published, media appearances, catch phrase creation, amount of viral memes and fan base nicknames, the Bath Spa list is as follows: 1. Stephen Fry 2. Russell Brand 3. Caitlin Moran 4. José Mourinho 5. Homer Simpson 6. Stephen Hawking 7. David Brent 8. Yoda 9. Taylor Swift 10. Slavoj Zizek

Autumn 2015

Helen Curran, Senior Lecturer at Bath Spa was in the news in September for her research into special educational needs. She also presented at the British Educational Research Association’s (BERA’s) annual conference.

BERA is a member-led charity which exists to encourage educational research and its application for the improvement of practice and public benefit.

Legislation introduced last September brought about complex reforms to the system for identifying children and young people in England with special educational needs (SEN), assessing their needs and then providing for them.

Helen’s research reveals evidence

from special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) working in schools that the Government’s reforms have led to reductions in the overall numbers of pupils classed as having special needs.

Helen said: “SENCOs have stated that they have ‘re-evaluated’ children in light of the reforms. Some children previously on school registers have not made it onto schools’ new ones.

“This does beg the question: if the SEN numbers are reduced, what has happened to the group who were previously identified as SEN, but are no longer now? Were they incorrectly identified in the past, or are pressures on school resources – including SEN support costs, time and staffing issues - playing a part?”

Internship success for English Literature student

“Philosophy is more relevant and important to society than ever,” said Professor Steve May, Dean of the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries. “As pop culture and philosophy unite, we have a chance to bring together modern-day thinkers and traditional philosophers to help provide solutions to world-wide situations.

“Admittedly Homer Simpson may not have all the answers, but encouraging a younger generation to discuss, debate and understand the big issues is absolutely vital for the future of our society.”

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Senior lecturer presents paper at education conference

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Recent BA (Hons) English Literature graduate, Gemma Philpott, has become the latest employee of the growing South West business, Sales Coaching Solutions.

Gemma, who graduated with a second class honours this summer, has been appointed Sales and Marketing Assistant under the Santander Universities SME Internship Programme.

The scheme offers students the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience alongside their studies – specifically in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The scheme aims to address the importance of recognising that small businesses are key to the growth of the UK economy.

With many SMEs finding it a challenge

to attract talented graduates, especially with the lure of larger corporations in big cities, Santander created a partfunded internship programme to address these issues.

Gemma hopes her strong writing skills, which she gained through her degree, will play a large part in her internship programme. She’ll be working on content marketing, blogging and working on email marketing campaigns.

Gemma commented: “I am thrilled to be offered such an exciting opportunity to work with Sales Coaching Solutions.

Working for a small business means that I will have the opportunity to gain an invaluable insight into the sales industry.”

University news

Bath Spa’s 2020 strategy officially launched The University’s 2020 strategy was formally launched in September and is available on the website and The Hub. It sets out the vision for the University, building on the achievements of the previous strategy and creating the framework for a period of growth, innovation and organisational development in the context of significant external change.

This strategy will enable the University to advance its position as a leading university in creativity, culture and enterprise, drawing on the traditions and achievements of 160 years as an educational institution. The main features of the new strategy are:

Graduate attributes We will clearly define the attributes we want our students to acquire during their studies. As graduates they will be creative, digitally literate, globally connected, able to work in teams and entrepreneurial.

What we teach and how we teach it We will review our curriculum to offer flexible inter- and multi-disciplinary study.

Research and enterprise We will enhance our reputation for research and create University-wide research themes that are crossdisciplinary. We will also establish a Graduate College to support postgraduate and research students

Internationalisation We will pursue our internationalisation ambitions and grow the student body with students from around the world studying with us in the UK or overseas at partnership institutions.

Strategic foundations Our strategy will be implemented through people, finance, facilities and infrastructure. It is through our staff, how we deploy our resources and our all-round commitment to making things happen that we ensure Bath Spa’s strategic success.

Be a Bath Spark Bath Sparks is the exciting rebrand of the University’s Business Plan competition. It includes a new weekly series of enterprise support workshops open to all students. There are challenges which include ‘Create It, Plan It, Do It’; ‘Build a Better Uni’ and ‘Global Change’. Most of the competitions are open now, and more information can be accessed via the Bath Sparks page on The Hub.

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AUTUMN IN PICTURES

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1 & 2 The Freshers’ Fair was a huge hit with many clubs and societies recruiting, including the pole dancing society and the Christian Union.

3 Matthew Withey, studying BA Fine Art, was commissioned to paint life-size portraits of Bath Rugby players. Here he is with Bath Rugby player Leroy Houston. Paintings displayed at the SouthGate shopping centre.

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4, 5, 6 & 7 The Bath School of Art and Design hosted their annual MA Degree Show in September with an exciting and diverse array of artworks being exhibited.

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8 Bath Spa worked with the Cabinet Office on its Better Journeys campaign and championed our sustainability credentials including cycling students.

9 Mary Berry attended the first ever alumni reunion and revealed favourite pastimes and recipes from her time studying at Bath College of Domestic Science.

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AUTUMN IN PICTURES

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sPACE TO

“ Chat ” You don’t always have to stick to YOUR plan

James Woodhams is studying for an MA in Theatre for Young Audiences and chats about his time as an undergraduate and how his career aspirations took him in a new direction When it came to applying for university, I had to decide what subject to study. I have such diverse areas of interest I found it difficult to decide what to settle on. I wanted to study music, acting, zoology and biology all at once and I had to make a decision that I wouldn’t regret. When I visited Bath Spa, I realised that my degree was to be Acting and it had to be here.

a professional from day one, and focus on the unique strengths and qualities that make you the actor you are. The ethos of the course allows every student to grow comfortably into the industry, which meant that when we were faced with professional work for the first time we felt ready.

Despite coming to this University wanting to be an actor, I have actually graduated as a director. This goes to “When I initially became interested in show that if you come directing in my second year, I felt like I to university unsure was betraying my course” of what you want to be, it doesn’t matter, When I got an audition, I was ecstatic. The you will be supported on your journey. audition day was amazing, and meeting When I initially became interested in fellow auditionees and the lecturers was directing in my second year, I felt like I was invaluable in calming my nerves. When I betraying my course, but my lecturers were found out that I had an offer, I was over the resoundingly supportive. They allowed me moon. Now it was time to start my career to be assistant director for some shows, as a professional actor. and my confidence grew and the support I The BA Acting course here is received was overwhelming. incredibly diverse. The staff treat you like In my third year, I was given the

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opportunity to direct my own show, and it was brilliant! The show not only had a successful run in Bath, but went on to sell out in London too. Studying at Bath Spa can take you beyond Bath and Bristol and

“The show not only had a successful run in Bath, but went on to sell out in London too.”

ABOVE James Woodhams directed the show Arabian Nights in Burdall’s Yard TOP RIGHT James now regularly directs shows to packed audiences

it can even take you overseas, some of my friends have just finished performing their third year piece in Taiwan!

Having a part-time job was near enough impossible with my course, as we were quite often performing at the weekend, but I still needed the money.

So I applied to be a student ambassador and it was better than I could have ever imagined. I worked when I could, and the people I met were amazing. I was even an ambassador for Mary Berry at the recent alumni reunion weekend which was a phenomenal experience. It was great to earn some money and gain experience without your course suffering.

Extra-curricular activities are invaluable when you are at university, so I joined the Musical Theatre group, which someone on my course set up. It was such a fun experience, and it was also great to meet such talented people who were not on my course. If you want to be part of a Musical Theatre society or group, just set one up, that’s what we did and it was fantastic.

Like many people, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I graduated. I always had an interest in doing a Master’s, but I thought it would be in the distant future.

Due to my dyslexia, I wasn’t confident in writing a thesis, and I was concerned that I wouldn’t make the cut. I kept putting off the application, until I met the course leader for MA Theatre for Young Audiences and we discussed my interest in children’s theatre, specifically puppetry. She encouraged me to apply so I did. I cut it very fine though, applying on the day the applications were due in. When I told my lecturers that I had applied, all they said was “Finally! We were waiting for you to realise your capabilities” which was so encouraging.

Since then it has been a whirlwind! I was so lucky to be granted a scholarship which I was very thankful for. My MA is allowing me to professionalise my specialism, so I can hopefully one day lecture in children’s theatre. I don’t need to worry about my dyslexia either, as for this course I can do a practical thesis, which allows me to build on my strengths.

I hope that my story is encouraging and it just goes to show that the ambitions you have when you come to university may not be the ones that you graduate with.

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sPACE TO

“ Talk ” Reigniting a passion for the Devonshire coast

Dr Kyriaki Hadjiafxendi, Senior Lecturer in English Literature talks about the exciting ‘Science at the Seaside’ workshops being run in collaboration with Professor John Plunkett from the University of Exeter As we move closer to the end of the trips to the local museum, a visit to a business nearby or collaborations with autumn term, primary school teachers across the country will be planning their other educational establishments. With this in mind, Professor John Plunkett from spring and summer term classes and looking at ways to engage seven-to-ten the University of Exeter and I have been year old children, whilst still maintaining working with primary schools in Devon those critical elements to do exactly that – “This past year the recommended by the collaborate with local curriculum. project worked with 15 schools to inspire When planning primary schools and has creativity and engage their lessons, primary children in their local brought around 1,000 school teachers are environment. keen to get students pupils to the seaside.”

Over the past out of the classroom year, Devon primary and learn from their surroundings, inspiring pupils at Key Stage 2 have enjoyed creativity and raising engagement levels. breathing in the unbeatable seaside air One method which has proven popular is whilst taking part in a host of activities experiential learning. This involves children related to all areas of the curriculum. learning through experience as opposed They have been on rock pool rambles, to the more traditional teaching method, explored mystery seaside objects and where students play a more passive role. created stories and pastel drawings For this to be possible, teachers and inspired by the coastline. Throughout, primary schools often look to the local the pupils have learnt about the Victorian community for support, whether that be fascination with natural history, a passion

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that has been more than matched by their a grant from North Devon Fishery Local own excitement about the seaside.

Action Group (FLAG) in 2013 and, with The Science at the Seaside project help from our respective universities, the was motivated by the numerous Victorian project has been growing ever since. writers and naturalists who flocked to the This past year the project worked with Devon coast in the 15 primary schools nineteenth century. and has brought “Working with primary The project seeks around 1,000 pupils school children across to increase public to the seaside.

Devon in this way has been awareness of School the rich history of workshops were a steep learning curve, but nineteenth-century taught by PhD hugely rewarding” literary and scientific students to develop writing about the North Devon coast, and ideas about the significance and value of the role that figures such as George Eliot the pupils’ local seaside through art and and Philip Gosse, among others, played creative writing. in the growth of popular interest in science Working with primary school children and natural history in the period. across Devon in this way has been a steep Professor Plunkett and I were awarded learning curve, but hugely rewarding; they

were full of wonderful, imaginative ideas.

Not only did they gain a huge amount from their day, it was clear that they had a passion for our coastline as well – something that was central to our initial research.

As academics we appreciate the importance of planning lessons that not only inform, but engage and inspire students.

Our long-term goal is for our activity to become a permanent part of the curriculum at all primary schools in Devon and hopefully across the UK one day.

For more information on the project visit scienceattheseaside.org/

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5 Minutes With ...

Mary Berry Queen of cakes and President of our Alumni Association Mary Berry revealed the secrets of her student days recently at our first ever alumni reunion where she reminisced with former students and shared experiences.

We caught up with Mary during a tea break to ask her five quick questions.

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What do you love about Bath Spa University?

Studying at Bath College of Domestic Science gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to pursue my dreams and share my love of cooking. I’m immensely grateful for the teaching I received as it provided me with the basis for my future life.

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Where is your favourite spot on campus?

The amazing Main House building. The Newton Park campus provides a fantastic environment to learn and I’m sure the students who study here can’t help but be inspired by this wonderful location.

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If you went on Mastermind, what would your specialist subject be?

It would definitely have to be culinary herbs.

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Tell me something you’re passionate about at the moment?

I think it is vitally important to bring back cooking in schools. Learning how to make seven or eight dishes which are easy to make, nutritious and tasty will go such a long way for people nowadays, it is just so important. I like to think that I’m teaching cookery through my work on radio and TV and through my books and hopefully encouraging more people to give it a go.

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And finally, complete this sentence. Not many people know this about me but…

I have passed my Advanced Driving test, which amuses my children!

! SHOUT ! sPACE TO Have your say – We’re looking for letters, feedback, and general social media musings, so please send in what you like about Bath Spa and the city of Bath via spacemag@bathspa.ac.uk

Facebook

Twitter

@alannamumford Fallen in love with Bath Spa Uni #bebathspa

Great post on Facebook after registration weekend!

My husband and I dropped our daughter off on Saturday and we were amazed at the level of organisation and the friendly atmosphere.

We knew that she undoubtedly made the best choice and that she would be very happy here.

Our words could never express the gratitude that we feel. Thank you for making this somewhat anxious time easier to bear.

Follow the University @BathSpaUni

@bathBID Have you seen artwork for @ greatbathfeast by former @BathSpaUni student Annie Louise James in the old Cargo unit? @EllisHampton @BathSpaUni Had at great day at the art and design campus today! Really love Bath! #bebathspa @bxthany_ Bath Spa University is beautiful

@LucySweetman The residents of @BathSpaUni wish you a good morning. #CrispyAutumn

Top Five Famous People from Bath

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Angelica Mandy Angelica starred as Gabrielle Delacour, Fleur Delacour’s little sister in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

A Facebook post featuring this cute little Newton Park lamb was taken by Shaunagh Shannon. The post had loads of likes. We like!

Jacqueline Wilson Famous for writing many beloved children’s books and young adult fiction, including the Tracey Beaker series.

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Ann Widdecombe Former member of the Conservative Party and Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

Gabrielle Aplin Singer and songwriter, whose cover of Frankie Hollywood’s The Power of Love was featured in the 2012 John Lewis Christmas advert.

Bill Bailey Comedian, musician, actor, TV and radio presenter.

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