Lerverne Barber

Lerverne- Barber-2023

Head of the School of Sport and Exercise Science

Heads of School

Contact Details

email: l.barber@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 855573

Lerverne is Head of School and Principal Lecturer. She joined the University in 2002 as a member of the Physical Education (PE) teaching team, taking on the role of Course Leader from 2008 - 2011.

Lerverne has a wealth of experience in her subject area, having been a Secondary PE teacher, PE adviser and Ofsted Inspector. She has also worked as an Independent PE Consultant leading projects and delivering training for organisations such as the Youth Sport Trust and the Department for Education.

Lerverne has played a key role in developing the School's international profile in countries such as China and Japan, for work in inclusive sport and Physical Education. In 2011 she became a University of Worcester Teaching Fellow for excellence in learning and teaching and in 2015 she achieved the award of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy for her leadership of learning and teaching (SFHEA), followed by the award of National Teaching Fellow (NTF) in 2017.

Qualifications:

  • National Teaching Fellow (NTF)
  • MSc in Educational Management and Leadership
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
  • BEd (Hons) Physical Education (Human Movement Studies)
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • University of Worcester Teaching Fellow

Teaching & Research

Professional Interests:

  • Secondary and Primary Physical Education
  • Student Selection, Retention and Achievement
  • Sharing and dissemination of good practice in terms of Learning and Teaching across SSES, UW and nationally
  • The development of Learning and Teaching tools to improve consistency in terms of teaching practice and positively impact on the student experience

Research Interests

  • Learning and Teaching
  • Initial Teacher Education - Primary and Secondary PE
  • The undergraduate experience
  • Student potential in relation to achievement

Professional Bodies

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Publications

Barber, L., Jones, V. and Williams, K. (2020 expected) Applying theories of learning to your practice. In Capel and Whitehouse (Eds), A Practical Guide to Teaching Physical Education, third edition.

Whitehouse, K., Barber, L. and Pepperell, R. (2020 expected) Developing and maintaining an effective learning environment. In Capel, S. (Ed) Learning to Teach Physical Education, fifth edition.

Barber, L. and Whitehouse, K. (2017) How do you develop your skills as an inclusive practitioner? In: The Worcester Way (2017). University of Worcester, Great Britain.

Breeze, N., Barber, L., Chapman, V., Beaman-Evans, C. and Beeching, K. (2016) Employability and the UseMyAbility Online Tool: Raising Sports Students’ Awareness to Inform the Development of Their Skills and Attributes. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, Vol 5, No 1.

Barber, L. and Breeze, N. (2015) HND degree ‘top-up’ students’ perceptions of their experience at the University of Worcester: how can future students’ experiences be improved? Worcester Journal of Learning and Teaching, Issue 10, 41 – 45.

Roberts, C.-M. and Barber, L. (2015) Enhancing student learning experiences in sport psychology modules using practical activities. Worcester Journal of Learning and Teaching, Issue 10, 53 – 57.

Whitehouse, K., Barber, L. and Jones, V. (2015) Developing and maintaining an effective learning environment. In Capel, S. and Whitehead, M. (eds) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School, 4th edition. Abingdon, Routledge

Jones, V. and Barber, L. (2014) Applying theories of Learning to your practice in Capel, S.A. and Breckon. P. (eds) A Practical Guide to Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School. (2nd edition). Abingdon, Routledge, pp. 129-134.

Gee, M., Corke, H. and Barber, L. (2012) Islands of excellence...in conjunction with huge oceans of poor practice: An exploration of the use of contemporary technology. In Physical Education teaching, Physical Education Matters, Autumn, Vol.7 No.3 pg 51.

Bowen-Jones, W., Barber, L. and Breeze. N. (2011) Evidence informed quality improvement programme (equip): student progression and achievement.  EDULEARN11 Proceedings CD (ISBN: 978-84-615-0441-1), Published by International Association of Technology, Education and Development (IATED).

Barber, L. and Breeze, N. (2011) ‘Enhancing student achievement and progression’

Barber, L. (2010) To what extent do primary trainee teachers feel prepared to teach physical education? Physical Education Matters, Association for Physical Education, Autumn Vol.5 No.3.

Bowen-Jones, W., Barber, L. and Martin, L. (2009) Evolution of a Peer-Learning Scheme. In SEDA Paper 124 Beyond the Peer Observation of Teaching edited by Gosling, D. and Mason O’Connor, K.

Conference Presentations (from 2011)

10th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, EDULEARN, Palma, presented: Developing a Tool for Observations in Higher Education Teaching: Can One Size Fit All? 2018.

Going Global - the British Council, one of three presenters on an international expert panel on inclusive practice. 2018.

University of Worcester, Beijing Sport University and The Education University of Hong Kong International Inclusive Sport Symposium, hosted in Worcester. 2018.

University of Worcester and Beijing Sport University Inaugural International Inclusive Sport Symposium, hosted in Beijing. 2017.

Higher Education Academy Annual Conference, Generation TEF, In the Spotlight. Teaching in the Spotlight. Presented: ‘From Acorns to Oak Trees: Recognising, rewarding and sharing innovative, inspiring and excellent practice to enhance student learning. 2017.

Creating a Virtual Centre for Student Progression and Academic Achievement, 7th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, EDULEARN. July, 2015.

Student Reflections about how Universities support High Level Student Achievement, University of Worcester Learning and Teaching Conference. June, 2015.

The Socialisation of Physical Education Student Teachers, Association of Physical Education Annual Conference, Staffordshire. June, 2015.

School Sports Premium – will it make a difference? 9th FIEP European Congress, Sofia. October, 2014.

How do Graduates Achieve their Academic Potential?  University of Worcester Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Annual Conference. June, 2014.

How do Graduates Achieve their Academic Potential? Conference Presentation at the International Association for Technology, Education and Development (IATED) 6th International Annual Conference. November, 2013.

Pre-registration interviews: why bother?  6th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia. March, 2012.

Recruitment and Retention - The Role of the Interview.  Higher Education Academy - What works? Student Retention and Success Conference, York. March, 2012.

Islands of excellence...in conjunction with huge oceans of poor practice: An exploration of the use of contemporary technology in Physical Education teaching. Association for Physical Education Annual Conference, Oxford. July, 2012.

An Evaluation of the Undergraduate Recruitment Process. 5th Higher Education Institutional Research Conference, University of Liverpool. July, 2012.

Evidence informed quality improvement programme (equip): student progression and achievement. EDULEARN 3rd International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona. July, 2011.

Student Progression and Achievement. Supporting Student Learning, 10th Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Worcester. June, 2011.    

University of Worcester Staff Development

2019, planned and delivered workshops for the University of Worcester to train staff in the use of the new Teaching Observation tool.

In 2018, co wrote and piloted a new Teaching Observation form to be used across the University.

2018, lead organiser for the University of Worcester Annual Learning and Teaching Conference Unlocking Potential: the key to inspiring life-long and life-wide learning.

In 2016 rewrote and developed the University of Worcester Teaching Award scheme to align it with the UKPSF.

External Responsibilities

HEA NTF Assessor 2018

External Examiner University of Brighton 2015 - 2018

External Examiner Roehampton University 2011 - 2015