Mr Simon Thompson

Biography

After completing my secondary education at Littlehampton Comprehensive School in the 1980s I graduated with a first class degree in History from the University of Worcester. I undertook a PGCE here at Sussex in 1994 followed by an MA in American History. As Head of History I taught History and Politics in Brighton during the 1990s. In 2002 I joined the University of Sussex as PGCE History Tutor. Since 2005 I have been Director of Initial Teacher Education.    

Role

Director of Initial Teacher Education

PGCE & GTP History Tutor

Senior Lecturer in Education

Community and Business

I am a school governor at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy

My doctoral thesis examined the nature and origins of professional knowing in early career history teachers. Other research interests include history education, teacher education and material culture in schools. I am also interested in the Life History as research methodology. 

I oversee all initial teacher education programmes at the University of Sussex including PGCE, GTP and Subject Knowledge Enhancement. I lead the History PGCE and GTP and work with school partners to support the professional development of new history teachers. I also contribute to the Professional Studies programme. I supervise MA and Doctoral students. In 2006 I was given an Excellence in Teaching Award by the University. 

Griffiths, Vivienne, Thompson, Simon and Hyrniewicz, Liz (2012) Developing a research profile: mentoring and support for teacher educators. In: The professional development of teacher educators. Routledge, pp. 248-264. ISBN 9780415591645

Griffiths, Vivienne, Thompson, Simon and Hryniewicz, Liz (2010) Developing a research profile: mentoring and support for teacher educators. Professional Development in Education, 36 (1-2). pp. 245-262. ISSN 1941-5257