Educators and employers in the education industry enjoyed a fascinating lecture from acclaimed author Greg Bottrill. As a former early years lead and assistant headteacher, Greg has many years of experience in the early years sector. Attendees were gripped as the significance of play-based learning and the pivotal role it plays in a child’s cognitive and emotional development was spoken about. Drawing from his extensive experience, he provided practical strategies for creating dynamic learning environments that stimulate curiosity and independence.
Greg’s speciality is the Play Projects approach. This is a simple yet powerful way to turn up the dial of childhood in Early Years practice. Incorporating choice, creativity, collaboration, mark making, mathematics, joy, invention, and endless possibilities. Play Projects can be dipped into or shaped as a focal point of time with children. They also have huge potential to take childhood up all the way to year 6.
Greg is passionate about real play, the magic of childhood and putting children at the heart of their learning adventure. Across the evening Greg delivered an uplifting and insightful workshop exploring the use of play projects which offered attendees the opportunity to consider application of ideas in to practice.
The event was attended by Education & Early Years students, alumni, and external attendees from a variety of education settings including local nurseries and schools. The evening was well received with attendees giving fantastic feedback.
One attendee said: “The relaxed approach of guest speaker made it more engaging and enjoyable making the whole session helpful, inspiring us with new ideas.”
A UCW Student who attended the guest lecture was truly inspired saying: “Greg’s passion towards education was exciting and inspiring. UCW staff are always so helpful.”
Rachel Landen from Keepers Gate Forest School was enthused by the lecture saying: “I took so much away from this event; I was still talking about it when I woke up the next day. All our staff were really engaged and excited about how we could implement some of the ideas.”
A huge thank you to Greg for delivering such a fantastic lecture.
This guest speaker forms part of the Education and Early Years Careers Excellence Hub.
By being part of a Career Excellence Hub, all of our courses are designed to make you “job ready” when you graduate. We work with a diverse range of local and national employers to ensure our courses are upgraded with career-boosting benefits, and curriculum content is relevant to today’s industry.
University Centre Weston has ten sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs; each designed to support learners with making the most of university, and to support employers with connecting with their future staff. In connecting industry and education, we ensure that learners gain not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.
To find out more about Education and Early Years courses at UCW, click here.
To find out more about Greg’s work click here.
