Miss Helen Sutherland

Over the past 18 years, I have designed, led, and taught across a wide range of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes.  My teaching is research-led and informed by international perspectives, drawing on outputs from EU projects such as TODDLER, ToWe, and ETEIP.

I have worked collaboratively across the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, contributing to interprofessional programmes including BA Primary, BA Education, and the PGCE Secondary, Primary and Birth to Five.  I have also supported Kingston University’s bilateral partnerships with institutions in Belgium, Sweden, Spain, and Austria, enriching student learning and internationalisation.

As Course Leader for the PGCE Birth to Five with Early Years Teacher Status, I have developed an innovative phased curriculum and assessment strategies, including enrichment activities, such as short-term international visits to Sweden, offering students alternative perspectives on Early Years provision.

In my capacity as an External Examiner, I have worked collaboratively with a range of universities and colleges to support the development, refinement and quality assurance of Early Years programmes.   Drawing my deep expertise in early years pedagogy and practice, I have contributed to curriculum design quality assurance, and the enhancement of teaching and learning strategies. This role has enabled me to influence early years standards and ensure that programmes are responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.

Course director

• Early Years Teacher Birth to 5 leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) PGCE

Courses taught

• Primary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE
• Primary Education (QTS) BA (Hons)

I have played a leading role in a range of EU funded projects, leading, and contributing to ethical oversight, data collection, and both impact and financial reporting.  Currently, I am evaluating the Reflective Practice Handbook developed through the ETEIP project. 

At Kingston University, I led the Evaluation and Scoping Review of the Linguaphone Group’s Pingu’s English Digitalisation Project and supported commissioned research for Hedge Fun(d), trialling the FAB App with alumni.

The below projects have strengthened Kingston’s profile for knowledge exchange and impact benefiting practitioners and students across Europe.

Grants and funding

• ETEIP Project (2019-2021[2022]) Education and Teaching in Early Years from International Perspectives. ERASMUS +, Key Action 2, School Education Strategic Partnership Project. [2019-SE01-KA201-060552] https://internationalearlyyearshub.eu
• ToWe Project (2015-2018) Enhancing the Education and Wellbeing of Disadvantaged Toddlers through the Development of Training and Materials to Support Early Years Practitioners. ERASMUS +, Key Action 2, School Education Strategic Partnership Project. [2015-1-UK01-13431] https://www.toddlerswellbeing.co.uk
• TODDLER Project (2010 - 2013) Towards Opportunities for Disadvantages and Diverse Learners on the Early-childhood Road.  Lifelong Learning Programme Comenius, [61609-LLP-I-2010-NO-COMENIUS-CMP]

Qualifications

• MA in Professional Studies in Education (Management and Leadership)
• Principal Investigator - Pingu's English Research - Evaluation and Scoping Review Report (September to December 2023)
• Principal Investigator for ToWe Project
• Lead Investigator for Kingston University for ETEIP Project
• Lead Investigator for Kingston University for TODDLER Project

Specialisms

• Early Years: Birth to Five
• Toddler Wellbeing

I have led on several successful international strategic partnerships, developing pedagogical materials, CPD training and resources for Early Years professionals.  These projects have enabled the enhancement of early years practice through collaborative reflection, job shadowing, mobility visits, and international conferences, including the ToWe Project International Conference hosted at Kingston University.

As part of my consultancy with Hedge Fun(d), I designed a birth-to-three framework for parental engagement and co-learning, aligned with Kingston Future Skills attributes of empathy, collaboration, and self-awareness. The project aims to enhance parental understanding and involvement, helping them to respond to their babies’ and toddlers’ voices and expressions, and learning potential.

Qualifications and Professional expertise

• MA in Professional Studies in Education (Management and Leadership)
• Principal Investigator - Pingu's English Research - Evaluation and Scoping Review Report (September to December 2023)
• Lead Investigator for Kingston University - ETEIP Project (2019-2021[2022]) Education and Teaching in Early Years from International Perspectives. ERASMUS +, Key Action 2, School Education Strategic Partnership Project. [2019-SE01-KA201-060552]
• Principal Investigator - ToWe Project (2015-2018) Enhancing the Education and Wellbeing of Disadvantaged Toddlers through the Development of Training and Materials to Support Early Years Practitioners. ERASMUS +, [2015-1-UK01-013431]
• Lead Investigator for Kingston University - TODDLER Project (2010-2013) Towards Opportunities for Disadvantaged and Diverse Learners on the Early-childhood Road. European Union, Lifelong Learning Programme, Comenius, [61609-LLP-I-2010-NO-COMENIUS-CMP]
• Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Post Compulsory Education and Training)

Areas of interest

• Supporting early years practitioners and teachers in developing the wellbeing of disadvantaged toddlers'
• Developing and supporting students' reflective skills
• Developing students' experience of internationalisation

Through my work, I have influenced Early Years provision at local, national, and international levels, supporting practitioners in developing shared pedagogical approaches through reflective practice.  I have convened and contributed to conferences and civic networks, and supported policy development through roles with the DfE, UCET and as an External Examiner and Governor.

Qualifications and expertise

• Member of the Trailblazer and Writing Party: DfE and IfATE Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) Teacher Degree Apprenticeships (2024-25)
• Early Years Expert for the Department for Education Early Years Covid Recovery Programme (1st September 2022 to 31st July 2024)
• External Examiner: University of Brighton for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education Early Years Education with Early Years Teacher Status (1st September 2022 - 30th September 2026)
• Co-opted Governor: Surbiton Hill Nursery School (14th October 2021 to present)
• Lead Investigator, Kingston University: ETEIP Project (2019-2021 [2022]) Education and Teaching in Early Years from International Perspectives. ERASMUS +, Key Action 2, School Education Strategic Partnership Project. [2019-SE01-KA201-060552]
• Consultancy for: Linguaphone Group on Pingu's English Digitisation Project - Pingu's English Stage 1 Evaluation and Scoping Review Report (12th September 2023 - 19th December 2023)
• Consultancy for: Hedge Fun(d) on Birth to Three APP for Parents (22nd March 2021 to 22nd May 2022) https://fabapp.co.uk/
• Consultancy on: international good practice in early years for Blanquerna (Univesitat Ramon Llull) on Early Years Jesuit Project (21st June 2021 to 8th December 2021)
• Principal Investigator: ToWe Project (2015-2018) Enhancing the Education and Wellbeing of Disadvantaged Toddlers through the Development of Training and Materials to Support Early Years Practitioners. ERASMUS +, [2015-1-UK01-013431]
• Lead Investigator for Kingston University: TODDLER Project (2010-2013) Towards Opportunities for Disadvantaged and Diverse Learners on the Early-childhood Road. European Union, Lifelong Learning Programme, Comenius, [61609-LLP-I-2010-NO-COMENIUS-CMP]

Professional and scholarly affiliations

• The Higher Education Academy: Senior Fellow
• Comenius Association: Member
• Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) Harmonisation Group
• Kingston University: Early Years Special Interest Group

I contribute to the leadership of the School of Education, Midwifery and Social Work, and the Department of Education through a range of strategic and academic roles, including:

• Course Leader – PGCE Birth to Five with Early Years Teacher Status
• Module Leader – BA Primary – Child Development and Inclusive Practice
• Admissions Tutor – Department of Education
• Appeals and Complaints Investigator - School of Education, Midwifery and Social Work
• Principal Investigator – ToWe Project and Pingu English Digitalisation Project
• Kingston Lead – TODDLER Project and the ETEIP Project 

Through these roles, I help ensure Kingston University’s programmes are ambitious, inclusive, and compliant with PSRB requirements.  My leadership supporting student success and enhances career opportunities, through personalised, sector-informed provision.

Qualifications and expertise

• MA in Professional Studies in Education (Management and Leadership)
• Lead Investigator for the ToWe Project, EU ERASMUS+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnership

University responsibilities

• Course Leader for the PGCE Birth to Five with Early Years Teacher Status
• Admissions Tutor for the Department of Education
• Stage 1 Appeals Investigator for the Department of Education
• Module Leader for the PGCE Birth to Five, Primary and Secondary - Reflective Teacher Module
• Module Leader for the BA Primary Year 1 - Child Development and Inclusive Practice

Public and Civic roles

• Governor for Surbiton Hill Nursery School (14th October 2021 to present)
• External Examiner: University of Brighton for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education Early Years Education with Early Years Teacher Status (1st September 2022 - 30th September 2026)
• Advisory Board for North East Kingston Children's Centres – Achieving for Children Community Interest Company - Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Children's Services from 3rd December 2013 - 16th January 2019.
• External Examiner for Teesside University - Kirklees College from 1st November 2013 - 31st December 2018 for the Foundation Degree in Childhood Studies, Foundation Degree in Teaching Assistants, and the BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies (0-8 years).