Meet Professor Patricia Shenton...
Professor Patricia Shenton is Director of Quality and Strategic Development and consequently responsible for the leadership of quality assurance and enhancement processes and activities across the Faculty as well as for strategic developments within teaching, learning and assessment and World of Work skills. The Faculty consists of an undergraduate and postgraduate student population of approximately 3000 with 250 academic, technical, research, sessional/part time and administrative staff. There are 300 courses in the Faculty Portfolio. Such a role includes leading and managing on the implementation of university and external body quality systems and processes; promoting effective and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment; co-ordinating relevant support and staff development/work life balance activities for all Faculty staff; developing innovative work-related learning activities for all students on QTS and HEFCE courses working in over 500 schools, businesses and industries across the North West, and a number of outreach partnerships including Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and Northumberland.
Prior to her appointment as Director in 2005 Patricia held several leadership roles within the Faculty. These have all focused upon the development of high quality initial teacher training, particularly in physical education and community based sport/dance development programmes. She has been instrumental in developing the first BA (Hons) in Sport Development with physical education and Key stage 2/3 physical education courses in the country in 1999; and the development of a four year undergraduate physical education teacher training programme in which the present day school sport coordinator positions have emerged.
All of these courses have been externally validated as high quality, attaining maximum grades in subject reviews. This has enhanced opportunities for young people in higher education to access high quality courses, whilst challenging schools and physical education departments to be proactive in changing their curricula to meet the changing face of physical activity provision.
In order to deliver on these programmes Patricia has had to appoint and develop high quality staff with significant expertise. Through her leadership skills she has empowered staff to take on additional roles and responsibilities, not only within the university, but also at a regional and national level.
In 2005 a Centre for Excellence status in Leadership and Professional Learning was awarded to Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The CETL at LJMU is currently the only one in the country to focus on PE, Sport, Dance, Outdoor Education and Sport and Exercise Science. Patricia Shenton was instrumental in securing the award of £4.5 million over 5 years in which it rewards excellence in teaching and promotes student leadership in learning, enterprise and employability. The award of CETL status acknowledged the excellence in delivery at Liverpool John Moores University which gained and held for 5 years the only Ofsted Grade A for physical education teacher training and a 24/24 grade from the Quality Assurance Agency for sport development with physical education courses.
This award has impacted significantly on the teacher training profession and the wider workforce in enabling opportunity to innovate within the curriculum and offer young people both in schools and the community the chance to further enhance access to high quality physical activity provision.
Patricia has been influential in not only leading her own institution but also in establishing a national physical education initial teacher training network for higher education providers to share and disseminate practice. This non-constituted group received no funding from any professional associations and Patricia led this initiative for over 10 years.
In 2004, the Network, in partnership with baalpe, PEA UK and YST successfully submitted a 3 year project bid to the Teacher Development Agency. The aim of this bid was to raise the standard of provision in all providers including HEIs, SCITTs, and GTP programmes.
As the project coordinator Patricia was responsible for the overall management of this project as well as the line management of five regional coordinators who worked directly with providers in their own institutions.
In addition to meeting the key targets of the project the success of the HEI network has resulted in the establishment of a sustainable PE ITTE network within the National Association for Physical Education (afPE)
Patricia was instrumental in developing the school sport coordinator concept which has developed into a national government funded initiative with the purpose of raising access and attainment in physical activity for young people. This initially started from a link with Brookfield Sports College in Liverpool in 1994 and has since been developed into a national resource by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Youth Sport Trust. This has informed the Government's strategy for Physical Education and School Sport.
Patricia has acted as an adviser to the Teacher Development Agency (TDA) for many years where she has worked to raise standards in initial teacher training in general, and more specifically in physical education. She was instrumental in writing the standards for initial teacher training and subject leader standards which have impacted on raising the quality of teacher training and access of children to well prepared teachers of the future.
As Vice-Chair of Merseyside Sports Board Patricia has demonstrated her commitment to local and regional development of physical education and sport. She has contributed to regional sports strategies as well as advised local and regional agencies on the establishment of access and entitlement to high quality physical activity. This has impacted significantly on the wide range and quality of activities young people in Merseyside have been able to access.
In addition to her regional and national work, Patricia has advised a number of countries internationally on the development of education and physical activity. Areas of work have been through the direct invitation of the British Council/Sport England thus demonstrating her recognised excellence and impact on physical activity. Her visits have included advise on education and curriculum development in general as well as focusing on sports structures inside and outside of school. She has met with government ministers to support the development of raised attainment and access to education for all.
As an AI Ofsted Inspector for 10 years Patricia has not only had a significant impact within her own institution, but has given specific advice to all Higher Education regarding raising the quality of initial teacher training and physical education in particular.
In 2002 the University awarded Patricia a Professorship for her contributions to education and physical education, entrepreneurship, staff development, research and scholarly activity.
As leader and facilitator of staff development she has been able to empower colleagues to research, publish and present on a variety of topics related to education, physical education and sport, including school to community links, inclusion, physical activity, health, initial teacher training, learning communities and mentor recognition and accreditation development.
LJMU has recently entered into partnership with several schools who are seeking to take on Trust status. She is working very closely with The Fiveways Trust in Liverpool as part of a leading edge development. LJMU was one of the first universities to enter into partnership within the specialist sports colleges with the aim of developing a partnership approach to lifelong learning. She is currently the Higher Education Representative on the Practitioner Steering Group for the Trust and Foundation Schools Programme (TFSP)
Our Trustees...
Bill's current primary role is at Liverpool Hope University as Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Relations & Widening Participation).
The former Headteacher of Parklands High School, Alan took over as Chief Executive of The Fiveways Trust in 2009.
Patricia is Director of Quality & Strategic Development at Liverpool John Moores University.
Information to follow.
Sue is currently Director of Finance at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust having taken up post in February 2009.
Tony is the Chief Executive and Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, and has been in the fire service for more than 33 years.Contact Us
‘Friend of Fiveways’ - A Case Study
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Tel: +44 (0)151 228 6800•Fax: +44 (0)151 220 9256•E-mail: chiefexecutive@fivewaystrust.com