Space Magazine - Bath Spa University

sPACE
The magazine for Bath Spa University students and staff | Autumn 2015
Bath Spa scoops £600k
grant for creative
writing hub
Acting tutor secretly
involved in creation of
Dismaland
5 minutes with ...
interview with cake GURU
Mary Berry
CONTENTS
vice-chancellor update
6
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 [email protected]
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.
Jane Wakefield
Alexandra Snell
Design
4
Bath Spa scoops £600k grant for creative writing
education hub
6
Acting tutor secretly involved in creation of Banksy’s
Dismaland
18
5 minutes with … Mary Berry, a quick interview with the
queen of cakes
14
Regulars
9
4
12
19
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
ON the cover
University news
Autumn in pictures
SPACE to shout
Your tweets, posts, lists, letters and feedback
Features
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 [email protected]
Contributors
James Woodhams
Dr Kyriaki Hadjiafxendi
Photography
Chris Wakefield
Tania Richards
Front cover
April George, MA Fine Art
Twitter
13
14
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
16
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
@bathspauni
Facebook /bath.spa.university
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University news
University news
Celebrating
Equality and
Diversity and
One World
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
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.
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.
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
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
was covertly involved in Banksy’s recent
and were recruited by a pretend film studio
exhibition, Dismaland.
to avoid suspicion.
He was recruited to train 100 people
It took four days of intense training and
to become stewards at the bemusement
secret drama workshops in the Westonpark.
super-Mare Royal Hotel before Pat was
The stewards
able to reveal to
needed to be taught
the group that they
“It was a tough brief to
to be as unhelpful
be acting as
have to teach someone to would
as possible, and Pat
stewards at Bansky’s
act deadpan, not to laugh Dismaland on the
coached them to be
dismal and aloof seafront.
and not to over-act.”
all part of Banksy’s
Pat, who
vision for his Dismaland creation.
has never met or had any direct
Pat, who has taught acting at Bath Spa
communication with Banksy, said: “It was
for ten years, and specialises in comedy
a tough brief to have to teach someone
and live performances, was enlisted by a
to act deadpan, not to laugh and not to
friend and fellow comedian to help train the over-act. The stewards were there to add
new recruits.
to the overall dismal experience, but not to
The large group of non-performers
outshine the amazing artworks on display.”
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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.
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
University news
Talented
students
create artwork
for five star
hotel
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
of the Bath Spa Institute for Education
#becreativebeateacher is indicative of the
which has evolved from the University’s
approach we take to educating teachers at
School of Education.
Bath Spa Institute
“The hashtag
The Bath
for Education.
Spa Institute
“We believe
#becreativebeateacher is
for Education
teachers have a
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
and excellent
young people and
Institute for Education”
education research.
using social media
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
to building a new ‘brand’ for teacher
commitment to bringing creativity to our
education is shared via Kate’s hashtag
work in developing 21st century education
#becreativebeateacher.
professionals across the globe.”
Her work has also acted as a catalyst
for the development of the ‘Network for
Follow Kate Reynolds on Twitter
Learning’, which provides continuous
@BathSpaEdDean
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.
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
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
|
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.”
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
1
AUTUMN IN PICTURES
6
2
3
7
8
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.
4
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.
5
9
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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sPACE TO
“ Chat ”
“The show not only had a successful
run in Bath, but went on to sell out in
London too.”
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
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
autumn term, primary school teachers
business nearby or collaborations with
across the country will be planning their
other educational establishments. With
spring and summer term classes and
this in mind, Professor John Plunkett from
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.
pupils to the seaside.”
keen to get students
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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Autumn 2015
| SPACE | 17
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.
1
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.
2
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.
3
If you went on
Mastermind,
what would your
specialist subject
be?
It would definitely
have to be culinary
herbs.
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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
[email protected]
Facebook
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.
4
5
18 | SPACE |
Autumn 2015
|
Follow the University @BathSpaUni
@alannamumford Fallen in love with Bath
Spa Uni #bebathspa
Great post on Facebook after
registration weekend!
@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
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.
And finally, complete this
sentence. Not many people
know this about me but…
I have passed my Advanced
Driving test, which amuses my
children!
Twitter
@LucySweetman The residents of
@BathSpaUni wish you a good morning.
#CrispyAutumn
Top Five Famous People from Bath
1
4
2
5
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.
3
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.
|
Autumn 2015
| SPACE | 19