Ben Thomas

Profile

Biography

Prior to joining Edge Hill University, Ben taught in a range of school settings in the United Kingdom and Germany. Ben held a variety of teaching positions across Key Stage 1, 2, EAL and MFL departments. Having taught several different subjects, age ranges and curricula, Ben was able to appreciate and compare different pedagogical approaches and enhance his cultural and subject knowledge.

Ben has extensive experience of leading and delivering school improvement initiatives; as a subject, middle and senior leader. As a subject lead for Geography, Ben helped his school to achieve the ‘Primary Geography Quality Mark’ through careful curriculum design, planning, monitoring and assessment of Geography provision throughout the school. He also oversaw two schools’ Eco Schools accreditations. During his time overseas, Ben helped to deliver on whole school and departmental school improvement initiatives; both as Head of EYFS/KS1 and Head of Primary. 

Research Interests

Ben’s research interests include:

• Primary Languages: Attitudes, Provision, Methods and Pedagogy
• English as an Additional Language
• German in Primary Education
• Comparing Education Systems
• Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) 
• Bilingualism and Cognition
• Societal Bilingualism
• Definitions of Bilingualism
• Leadership Behaviours
• Distributed Leadership

Teaching

Ben teaches on a range of modules across Edge Hill University’s QTS Initial Teacher Education programmes. This includes teaching BA(Hons) and PGCE students. Ben predominantly teaches the Primary Languages aspect of the course. He is also a Personal Academic Tutor for a group of first year teacher trainees. Ben is Placement Lead for third year undergraduate teacher trainees.