Robert Stannard

Course Director

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I initially trained as an English and Drama teacher and taught for 12 years in a number of secondary schools in Somerset.  As my career progressed, I held several positions of responsibility including six years as a Head of Department before I moved into teacher education in 1996.  I lectured in English in Education at Birmingham University for two years before leaving to undertake an MA in The Teaching and Practice of Creative Writing at Cardiff University where I subsequently taught Creative Writing.  I then returned to ITE as a Lecturer in English in Education at Edge Hill University where I was co-director of PGCE English and director of the Flexible PGCE programme.  In 2003, I moved to Keele University as Course Director for PGCE English, and in 2014 became Director of PGCE.  I then worked as Director of the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Programme at Keele where I additionally led the Academic Professional Apprenticeship programme.  From 2018-19, I held the position of Director of Learning and Teaching for the School of Social Science and Public Policy, and in my last two years at Keele I was the Director of the BA and MA degree programmes in Liberal Arts. I joined Staffs University as Course Director for Initial Teacher Training in June 2021. 

Professional memberships and activities

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA

Academic qualifications

A in the Teaching and Practice of Creative Writing, University of Wales, Cardiff

BA (Hons) in English and American Literature, University of Kent

PGCE English and Drama (Distinction), Queens University, Belfast

Diploma in Drama in Education, RSA

Post-Experience Certificate in Counselling Skills, Birmingham University

Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, ILM

Expertise

The teaching and practice of Creative Writing

Drama as a medium for learning

Coaching and Mentoring

Research interests

I have research interests in Creativity and Creative Practice with a special interest in Writing, and in Drama as a medium for learning.  I am also interested in Dialogic Coaching and Educative Mentoring. 

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021