Two experienced teachers and educationalists become IfL patrons

Tuesday 28 June 2011

The Institute for Learning (IfL) is pleased to announce two new patrons, Professor Ann Hodgson and Geoff Petty, both teachers who have pledged their support for the professional body for teachers and trainers in further education and skills.

Professor Hodgson worked as a teacher, lecturer, local education authority adviser, editor and civil servant before entering higher education in 1993. Now at the department of continuing and professional education at the University of London’s Institute of Education, she researches and publishes in the areas of education policy; 14-19 education and training; lifelong learning; curriculum and qualifications reform; and institutional organisation and governance. She also teaches postgraduate programmes for teaching in the post compulsory sector.

Geoff Petty has worked as a physics teacher in further education and as a learning development manager. He now works as a writer, staff trainer and consultant, and has worked with over 200 colleges and with most national educational agencies. He is the author of Teaching Today, Evidence Based Teaching and How to be Better at Creativity, and his work has been translated into eight languages. With a reputation for explaining learning and teaching issues in a lively and inspiring way, he speaks at conferences all over the country, including IfL regional events. He regularly engages with fellow IfL members, and his detailed answers to their questions about teaching and learning are routinely published on the IfL website and in various IfL publications.

Sue Crowley, IfL’s elected chair, said, “We are delighted that Ann Hodgson and Geoff Petty have accepted our invitation to become patrons of IfL. Their expertise in teaching and learning is widely recognised, and given their experience of teaching in our diverse sector, their association with IfL will help raise awareness of the critical work that IfL is doing to support teachers’ and trainers’ continuing professional development (CPD), influence policymaking and facilitate communities of practice, for the benefit of our members and their learners.”

 

Notes

IfL’s six patrons are:

  • Baroness Sharp of Guildford, formerly a Liberal Democrat spokesperson for further and higher education
  • Barry Sheerman, member of parliament for Huddersfield and former chair of the education select committee
  • Lord Tim Boswell of Aynho, former member of the innovation, universities, science and skills select committee
  • Stella Mbubaegbu CBE, principal and chief executive of Highbury College Portsmouth
  • Professor Ann Hodgson, professor of education
  • Geoff Petty, writer, staff trainer and consultant.