Ben Thomas

Profile

Biography

Ben brings extensive experience from primary school settings in both Germany and England to his current role in Initial Teacher Education at Edge Hill University.

Teaching and Leadership Experience

Prior to joining the university, Ben’s career spanned various teaching positions across EYFS, KS1, and KS2. He gained comprehensive experience working with children across all primary phases, holding key responsibilities that contributed to school-wide development. His leadership roles in schools included:

• Serving as a Subject Lead (English, Geography, and Languages).
• Holding roles as a Head of Department (EYFS and KS1).
• Working as an Assistant Head of Primary.

Ben values effective professional development for teachers, which was a core motivation behind completing the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) and transitioning into Initial Teacher Education.

Academic Background

Ben’s academic journey reflects a long-standing interest in languages, multilingualism and leadership. He holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages (French and German) and a PGCE (QTS) in Primary Education with a specialism in MFL.

His interest in school improvement led him to complete a PgDip in Educational Leadership and Management.

Ben earned an MA in Bilingualism and Multilingualism, where his research focused on Teacher Perspectives and Experiences of Systematic Synthetic Phonics for Bilingual Learners.

He is currently undertaking an EdD, focusing on Student Teacher Awareness of Chronic Health Conditions; advancing knowledge and practice within this field of inclusive education.

Further Involvement

Ben remains connected to school governance and decision-making through his role as a Co-opted School Governor.

Research Interests

• Primary Languages
• English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• Bilingualism and Multilingualism
• Curriculum Design
• Subject Leadership 
• Initial Teacher Education
• Personal Tutoring in HE
• Inclusion of children with CHCs

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 working at Levels 4 – 7. He predominantly teaches seminars and lectures on the Primary Languages, English, Phonics and EAL elements of the course.

Ben is a Personal Academic Tutor for a group of undergraduate student teachers.

He leads the Level 6 ‘Values for Leadership’ module which prepares student teachers for effective subject leadership in primary schools.