Role
Principal Lecturer Early Years and Childhood (Learning and Development, Psychology, Special Educational Needs and Inclusion)
Career overview
I have been working in Early Years and Childhood since I left formal Education. I qualified as Nursery Nurse completing my Btec National Diploma in Early Years and Education. I completed Higher Education and completed a teaching qualification and PGCE. Since graduating I have been heavily involved in the Early Years and I have worked in Early Years for the majority of my career. I have also taught in FE teaching Early Years and Care. I have been fortunate to work and lead a large team in Sure Start and Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities. I have also been a Children's Commissioner for Public Health and Social Care.
More recently I have been a Senior Curriculum Leader in a large University in Birmingham for responsibilities for Early Childhood and Early Years. I also became the lead for curriculum for apprenticeships. My current roles include many areas within the Early Childhood Arena including, an executive member of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees. I support the strategy of research and current practice at Pen Green. I am joint Chair of the Children, Young People and Families Level 4 and 5 Apprenticeship Standards and currently supporting the level 6 Apprenticeship degree in Early Years. I am an active member of the Early Years community and I own and run my own website called Early Years Reviews by Aaron. I also run a blog which is well situated in the workforce, including many researchers and practitioners discussing contemporary topics.
More recently I have become the joint co founder of the Early Years Academy which allows Early Years professionals to gain professional recognition through fellowship awards. Gaining the stronger voice for the Early Childhood Workforce. I am passionate about Work based Learning and how this plays a huge part within the Early Years and Education. I am currently researching about apprenticeship pedagogy in Higher Education and how this may differ depending on the route a learner chooses.
Research areas
Apprenticeship Pedagogy in Higher Education
Global perspectives of Early Childhood Active Pedagogies
External activity
Executive Member of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network
Associate Pen Green Research Base
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Skills - Trailblazer
Early Years by Aaron - Website and Blog
Pearson HND Modules
Socialist Education Association - Early Years Birmingham Branch
School Governor - Washwood Heath Nursery School
Consultant - Apprenticeships and Early Years
Publications
Bradbury, A. & Murdoch, J. (2018) Above and Beyond: Widening Participation for Apprenticeship Learners within Health and Social Care. FE News
Bradbury, A. (2020) Why Universities need to work more closely with Training providers and how it can be achieved. FE News.
Bradbury, A. & Wynne, V. (2019) Apprenticeships In Tummons, J. (2019) PCET Learning and Teaching in the Post Compulsory Sector. London. Sage
Bradbury, A. & Wynne, V. (2020) The Apprentice's Guide to End Point Assessment. London. Learning Matters (Published September 2020)
Bradbury, A. (2019) Conference Paper - Working together through an apprenticeship framework for Early Childhood Professionals. Macao, China.
Bradbury, A. (2020) Presentation - The changing landscape of the Early Years and its implications on the child. Socialist Educational Association. February 2020. Bristol.
Blog - Early Years Reviews by Aaron
Press expertise
Early Years
Disadvantage
Child Development
Early Childhood Research
Workforce Development
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STAFF PROFILE
Dr Vicky Palmer - Senior Lecturer
School of Social SciencesArea of expertise: Youth
Press ready