Rachael is a recognised Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Physical Education). She is an experienced teacher of Physical Education having taught young people for over 14 years in the Liverpool area and then further education establishments. Whilst working as a PE teacher, she was the Newly Qualified Teacher Coordinator and worked in collaboration with LJMU to develop training for mentors, and facilitated the opportunity for colleagues to share good practice and earn credits as part of a Masters course.
She has worked for the School Sports Partnership including the development and delivery of CPD for Schools within the partnership. Rachael has worked with several NGB to deliver courses for both staff and pupils in the partnership and worked alongside local clubs to develop opportunities for young athletes. Rachael was an ambassador for the FA’s Charter Schools programme and is currently delivers courses to develop swimming teachers as a Swim England tutor. Rachael is a Standards Verifier for Level 1-3 BTEC Sport Courses.
Rachael recently embarked on her first research project, as research assistant, related to the training of student teachers in relation to pupils with SEND and the use of an online CPD tool to help improve their experiences. She is now part way through an MPhil as part of the SAMPLE-PE project investigating the influences of preschool physical activity experiences on the development of a child Motor Competence.
Degrees
2004, De Montfort University, United Kingdom, Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education: Physical Education
2002, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, BA (Hons) Sport Development with Physical Education.
Academic appointments
Programme Leader Foundation Degree Disability Sport Coaching and Development, Greenbank College, Liverpool, 2017 - present
HE Tutor Tutor Foundation Degree Disability Sport Coaching and Development, Greenbank College, Liverpool, 2016 - 2017
Lecturer of Sport Development and Physical Education, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014 - 2016
Postgraduate training
Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, 2003 - 2004
Thesis/Dissertation
Grace R. 2022. Associations between socio-ecological factors and motor competence amongst 5–6-year-old children from deprived areas of Northwest England Foweather L, Knowles Z, Rudd J. Public Url
Membership of professional bodies:
Swim England Swimming Teacher Tutor, Swim England. 2016
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Higher Education Academy, Liverpool John Moores University.
Teaching qualification:
PGCE Secondary Education. 2004