Mark Heaton

I am a principal lecturer in Primary and Early Years at Sheffield Hallam University and Markets & Recruitment Lead for Teacher Education, in the Sheffield Institute of Education, at SHU I teach extensively on each of the primary and early year’s courses and act as a university link tutor. I am involved extensively in partnership working with schools and in training school-based tutors.

I taught for many years in Sheffield primary schools, twice participating in the Fulbright Exchange Programme to the USA. In 2000 I joined the Support Teaching & Educational Psychology Service (STEPS) as a Behaviour Support Teacher & in 2004 became a National Strategies Behaviour & Attendance Consultant. I helped to lead the Sheffield Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme & led the DCSF’s National Programme for Specialist Leaders in Behaviour & Attendance (NPSLBA) in Sheffield.
In these roles & at SHU I have provided extensive support for primary schools with behaviour & attendance, which has included a focus on behaviour policies and systems & also on the emotional health & well-being of the whole school community.
I have chaired the Local Authority’s ‘SEAL/Anti-Bullying Multi-Agency Working Group’ & I have provided extensive CPD on Anti-Bullying at all levels, from pupils & parents to Senior LA Managers. In my wider role I was a member of the Sheffield Healthy Schools Team, supporting schools in achieving Healthy Schools Status.
I hold a BEd (hons.) in Primary Education, with QTS, from Edge Hill University & an MEd in ‘Special and Inclusive Education’ from the University of Sheffield. I have also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in ‘Reflective Practice in Leading in Behaviour & Attendance’ at the University of the West of England.
I have taught across the primary curriculum, though with my experience & commitment to inclusion and diversity I have been able to specialise in helping the students recognise the range of influences that affect the development, achievement & well-being of particular groups, in order that they might consider how their needs might be met. I have also focused on supporting students with creating well organised learning environments, with clear frameworks for discipline, based on the school’s behaviour management policy.
I have recently worked with Shiga University and Shiga Prefecture in Japan, providing professional development in the area of anti-bullying for district officials, teachers and students. I have also recently contributed to discussions with Sir Andrew Carter as part of the Carter review of Initial Teacher Education at the DfE.

I have been active in promoting and enhancing the school-based tutor training programme, encouraging scholarship & research activity in conjunction with their trainees. I have delivered a wide range of Conference papers and key note presentations during my time in school, Local Authority and at SHU. These have focused on Inclusion, behaviour and anti-bullying and I have always received very positive feedback. I have had accredited research experience in Foreign Education Systems; Special Needs & Inclusion; Behaviour & Attendance; Anti-bullying. I have produced materials for CPD programmes in these areas & have also featured in a TDA publication on Parent Support Advisers.
I am also currently engaging in consultancy with partnership schools which has real potential in maximising opportunities for income generation and entrepreneurialism in the changing educational landscape. My input has focused on Behaviour Management, anti-bullying and inclusion and I am currently working with schools on additional training activities for staff and students. I have also worked with the primary and early years inclusion team on a booklet and audit to support all trainees around the themes of behaviour, EAL and SEND.
My research interest is around the training of teachers to manage behaviour effectively in the classroom. I am also interested in the role of the school-based tutor in the ITT process.

I am currently Markets & Recruitment Lead for Teacher Education.
I am working alongside the Primary & Early Year’s Partnership Co-ordinator in developing continuing mentor training for school-based staff across the partnership.
I am currently in the process of becoming a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Consultancy – working with partnership schools, with a focus on behaviour & attendance, & mentoring & coaching trainees, NQTs & other staff.
I have recently contributed to discussions with Sir Andrew Carter as part of the Carter review of Initial Teacher Education at the DfE.
I am a Director of Birley Community College Co-operative Trust.
Membership of professional bodies – University & College Union (UCU); the Magistrate’s Association

Mark has more than 25 years' experience of working with primary and secondary schools in Sheffield, as well as two years in the USA through the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Programme. He is a principal lecturer for primary and early years, teaching undergraduate and post graduate routes and the professional development of teachers. He also works closely with schools across the region on behaviour and attendance, anti-bullying and mentoring teachers and student teachers.
Mark has also recently worked with Shiga University and Shiga Prefecture in Japan, providing professional advice on anti-bullying to district officials, officials, teachers and pupils.