Newcastle University

Roles and Responsibilities

DPD of M.Ed Practitioner Enquiry
Course leader and tutor for PGCE Secondary Geography.
Member of CfLAT; the Research Centre for Learning and Teaching.
M.Ed module leader for Coaching for Change in Teaching.
M.Ed module leader for Bridging: Creating and translating Professional Knowledge.

Previous Positions

I have been the Director of Secondary PGCE for three years.
Prior to joining the university I worked in secondary schools as a Geography teacher and Head of Department.

Research Interests

My current work is in the field of professional learning.
I am principally researching the role of video recording in professional development for both novice and experienced teachers.
I am also involved in researching the processes, outcomes and implications of developing coaching models to support professional development.

Other Expertise

I have a continuing interest in pedagogy, with a particular knowledge of teaching thinking.

Research Roles

Member of CfLAT, the research Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Projects

• 2010 UTLC Innovation Fund
• An exploration of the processes and outcomes of coaching between secondary school teachers.
  Project Leader(s): David Leat
• Cardinal Hume Catholic School Co-coaching Support
  Project Leader(s): Rachel Lofthouse
• Consultancy: Professional enquiry through action research support
  Project Leader(s): Kate Wall, Elaine Hall, David Leat, Rachel Lofthouse, Colleen Cummings and Jo McShane
• EquATE: Equal Acclaim for Teaching Excellence
  Project Leader(s): Sue Robson
• Learning and Teaching Update
  Project Leader(s): Kate Wall and David Leat (Editors)
• Learning to Learn in Schools Phase 4 Evaluation
  Project Leader(s): Kate Wall
• Learning to Learn Phase 3: Action Research Support 2003-2006
  Project Leader(s): Steve Higgins

Postgraduate Teaching

Secondary PGCE Geography Course Leader
Module leader for M.Ed module Coaching for Change in Teaching
Module leader for M.Ed module Bridging: Creating and Translating Professional Learning
Module leader for M.Ed module Developing Innovative Curriculum through Student/Pupil Enquiry
Module leader for M.Ed module Teaching Thinking Skills
Module leader for M.Ed module Critical Reflection on Professional Practice

• Robson S, Wall K, Lofthouse R. Raising the profile of innovative teaching in Higher Education? Reflections on the EquATE project. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 2012. In Press.
• Lofthouse R. Is this big enough? Using Big Geographical Questions to develop subject pedagogy. Teaching Geography 2011, 36(1), 20-21.
• Lofthouse R, Leat D, Towler C. Coaching for teaching and learning: a practical guide for schools. Reading: CfBT Education Trust, 2010.
• McGrane J, Lofthouse R. Developing Outstanding Teaching and Learning: Creating a culture of professional development to improve outcomes. Milton Keynes:Optimus Education ,2010.
• Towler C, Lofthouse R, Leat D. Embedding coaching in schools: Resolving tensions in definitions of professional development held by coaches and senior managers. School Leadership and Management 2010.
• Lofthouse R, Leat D, Towler C, Hall E, Cummings C. Improving coaching: evolution not revolution. Reading: CfBT Education Trust, 2010.
• Lofthouse R, Birmingham P. The camera in the classroom: video-recording as a tool for professional development of student teachers. TEAN Journal 2010,1 2 .
• Lofthouse R, Leat D. Chapter 40: Reflecting on teaching and learning - using thinking skills. In: Balderstone, D, ed. Secondary Geography Handbook. Sheffield: Geographical Association, 2006, pp. 504-512.
• Lofthouse R, Leat D. Coaching for geography teachers. Teaching Geography 2006, 31(3), 130-132.
• Higgins S, Wall K, Baumfield V, Hall E, Leat D, Woolner P, Clark J, Edwards G, Falzon C, Jones H, Lofthouse R, Miller J, Moseley D, McCaughey C, Mroz M. Learning to Learn in Schools Phase 3 Evaluation: Year Two Report. London: Campaign for Learning, 2006.
• Lofthouse R, Leat D. Research in geographical education. In: Balderstone, D, ed. Secondary Geography Handbook. Sheffield: Geographical Association, 2006, pp. 512-524.
• Leat D, Lofthouse R, Wilcock A. Teacher coaching - Connecting research and practice. Teaching Education 2006, 17(4), 329-339.
• Leat D, Lofthouse R, Taverner S. The road taken: Professional pathways in innovative curriculum development. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice 2006,12 6 657-674.
• Higgins S, Wall K, Falzon C, Hall E, Leat D, Baumfield V, Clark J, Edwards G, Jones H, Lofthouse R, Moseley D, Miller J, Murtagh L, Smith F, Smith H, Woolner P. Learning to Learn in Schools Phase 3 Evaluation Year One Final Report. London: Campaign for Learning, 2005.
• Waddicor R, Mills J, Parker D, Lofthouse R. How you can invigorate your teaching with free equipment from geomatics.org.uk. Mapping News 2003, (23), 24-26.
• Mills J, Parker D, Waddicor R, Lofthouse R. Using geomatics to understand coastal change (and invigorate your teaching!). Mapping News 2002, (22), 6-8.
• Lofthouse R, Hall E, Wall K. Chapter 12: Practitioner Enquiry. In: Briggs, A., Coleman, M., Morrison, M, ed. Research Methods in Educational Leadership and Management. London, UK: Sage Publications Ltd, 2012, pp.170-187.
• Robson S, Leat D, Wall K, Lofthouse R. Feedback or feed forward? Supporting Master’s students through effective assessment to enhance future learning. In: Ryan, J, ed. Cross Cultural Teaching and Learning for Home and International Students: Internationalisation of Pedagogy and Curriculum in Higher Education. London: Routledge, 2012. In Press.
• Leat D, Lofthouse R, Towler C. Improving Coaching by and for School Teachers. In: Fletcher, S; Mullen, C, ed. The SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching for Education. United Kingdom: Sage Publications Ltd, 2012, pp.43-58.
• Lofthouse R, Wright DG. Lesson observation for impact: a new mentoring tool. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education 2012. Submitted.
• Lofthouse R, Towler C, Leat D. The Development of Tools for Teachers to Improve Their Coaching Practice. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education 2012. In Preparation.
• Lofthouse R, Thomas U, Cole S. Creativity and Enquiry in Action: a case study of cross-curricular approaches in teacher education. Teacher Education Advancement Network Journal 2011, 2(1), 1-21.
• Cotterill SJ, Lowing K, Cain K, Lofthouse R, Mackay C, McShane J, Stancliffe D, Wright D. Blogs and e-Portfolios: can they support reflection, evidencing and dialogue in teacher training?. London, UK: Association for Learning Development in Higher Education, 2010. Available at: http://www.aldinhe.ac.uk/ojs/index.php?journal=jldhe&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=97&path%5B%5D=51.