On 3rd July, London Metropolitan University proudly hosted its annual PGCE Student Research Conference, a vibrant and inspiring event that brought together trainee teachers from across our Primary and Secondary PGCE pathways. The conference provided a platform for students to present the research projects they developed during their school placements—projects that reflect their growing expertise, curiosity, and commitment to educational practice.
The day was filled with energy and enthusiasm as students shared their findings with peers, tutors, and senior academic staff, including the Heads of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Subject Areas. Each presentation offered a unique insight into the challenges and innovations shaping today’s classrooms.
Presenters and Titles of their Research Presentations
Ross McCarthy (Primary Graduate Apprentice)
Exploring the perceptions of Physical Education and how teamwork and communication help pupils beyond the classroom.
Oliver Hammett (Secondary PGCE Modern Foreign Languages)
Does Situated Learning improve student engagement and ability with KS3 Spanish in a North London secondary school?
Oliver Wright (Secondary PGCE Maths)
Is the UK National Curriculum between ages 11–16 fit for purpose?
Hugh Taylor (Primary PGCE)
How is the internet affecting pupils’ views of gender in a KS2 classroom, and how does it impact their learning?
Nuradean Arreythe (Secondary PGCE English, Drama & Media)
What influence does social media have on KS3 students’ engagement with reading and literature in English lessons in an inner-city school?
Abigail Farrow (Primary PGCE)
What are the most effective strategies to support the development of confident oracy in a Year 4 classroom?
Radwan Abdirahman (Secondary PGCE Computer Science)
How chunking affects recall and application of new concepts in computer science.
Alliyah Rahman (Secondary PGCE Science)
Misconceptions in science learning.
A Special Guest and a Shared Celebration
We were honoured to welcome Alison Kriel as our guest speaker, highly respected former Head Teacher, and who has a long-standing relationship with London Metropolitan University. Alison is known for her dedication to staff and pupil wellbeing, inclusion, and the celebration of the teaching profession and the importance of encouraging and welcoming diverse trainee teachers into the profession. Her feedback was glowing—she praised the calibre of the students and the depth of their research, highlighting the importance of such inquiry-led practice in shaping the future of education.
Looking Ahead
The conference was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to the professional growth of our PGCE students. Many have already secured teaching positions in their placement schools, while others are preparing for interviews in local schools.
This event showcased the passion, creativity, and critical thinking that our future educators bring to the profession. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the impact they will make in classrooms across the country and we look forward to following their careers through our Affiliated Linked In page London Met Education Professionals Network.