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Postgraduate Education Courses: Student Testimonials

Take a look below to meet some of our current students and graduates!

Mathematics Lead in Primary

Phoebe Aisthorpe (MA Education)

Phoebe has taught in Dubai, her subsequent teaching roles have been in UK primary schools - progressing into middle leadership, with a focus on mathematics and curriculum development.

I felt ready to push my practice further, reflect more deeply, and strengthen my research informed approach, especially in my specialist area of mathematics. I already had great experiences of the support you get from lecturers at Lincoln Bishop.

The course strengthened my confidence, resilience, and organisation. It supported me to grow in confidence, and move into a Maths Lead role, and helped me make informed, research driven decisions.

The MA supported my leadership development and kept me focused on reflective, research informed practice, particularly in maths and primary education.

It is never too late to do an MA! Personally, I was pleased I had some classroom experience first, but I’ve met people who did the MA straight after the PGCE and still enjoyed it.

KS3 English Learning Lead and Second in Department

Elliot Stevenson (MA Education)

Elliot is a secondary English teacher and middle leader at a comprehensive school on the south bank of the Humber. Alongside classroom teaching, he supports curriculum development, assessment and moderation, and staff development across the team.

I chose MA Education because it felt closely aligned to the realities of classroom practice and school leadership. I wanted something that would strengthen my research literacy and critical thinking, and help me make better-informed decisions in a busy school context, without separating “theory” from practice.

It has made me more deliberate in how I evaluate new approaches and initiatives. I feel more confident scrutinising evidence, spotting weak claims, and translating research into actions that are realistic for my team and setting. It has also strengthened my professional writing and the way I explain and justify decisions, particularly where workload, implementation, and ethics are in play.

I want the MA to strengthen my capacity as a research-informed leader who can improve outcomes while protecting staff time and professional independence. Longer term, I would like to contribute to evidence-informed development in my setting (and potentially beyond it), with a focus on meaningful improvement rather than short-lived, performative change.

Choose module focuses that genuinely come from your classroom or leadership remit. It keeps the work purposeful and relevant to what you will be doing on Monday morning, not just what reads well on paper.

Build a support network early, through course peers you connect with, university systems like Learning Development, and colleagues in school who understand the demands of MA-level study.

Ringfence study time in short, regular intervals across the week. It is usually more sustainable than relying on a last-minute, Red Bull-fuelled burst near a deadline.

Co-founder of ‘English Journey’ in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Simon Haigh (MA International Education)

Simon started his career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. He has now been teaching for 3 years and has set up an English language school in Vietnam.

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I started on the iPGCE which I really enjoyed and decided to continue studying to gain my Master’s International Education, which helped me to secure an international teaching role in Vietnam.

The MA has helped me develop a deeper understanding of the theory of teaching with a specific focus on my context in Vietnam.

I am hopeful that I will be able to get a publication from my MA research project, and then continue towards a PhD award.

The International Educational Leadership module has really supported me to develop in my career, working in an international setting and setting up my own educational business. Getting insights from people working in other international schools was also beneficial.

If you are looking to step into international teaching and are already teaching in a language centre and enjoy it, the MA course will help you transition into a more rewarding career path.

Postgraduate Student and Supply Teacher

Olivia Black (MA Educational Leadership and Management)

Olivia completed her undergraduate degree in Primary Education with QTS at Lincoln Bishop. After qualifying, she completed a year of supply work and is currently studying an MA in educational leadership and management.

The staff are super supportive and easy to talk to, which really helped me feel confident about joining. The alumni discount was a great bonus as a returning student, and the campus just has a really welcoming, friendly vibe that made it feel like the right place to keep studying.

The modules and sessions have been genuinely interesting and actually inspired me in what I want to do next. I have also been able to speak to leaders in education who have been able to help me develop my professional practice in what type of leader I want to be.

All modules have been so interesting and have shaped my professional development, particularly my understanding of effective leadership and management. Lucy Hughes and Jessica Vernon as some of my module leaders have been amazing and I have learnt to much from them and felt very supported.

I am hoping in the future that this degree will be useful in landing me in a leadership position in education and that I will be successful in the role with the knowledge I have acquired.

Be ready to go on a journey, I have surprised myself with how much I have learned. Working with peers and tutors has helped me to develop my ideas and confidence.