Mrs Hazel Joannides

I joined Kingston University in 2018 after 16 years of teaching and leadership in schools across London and Surrey. My classroom and leadership experience — as Head of English, Whole School Literacy Coordinator, KS5 Subject Lead and International Baccalaureate Lead — shaped my belief that teachers need not only excellent subject and pedagogical knowledge, but also adaptability, empathy and resilience to succeed: skills that are at the heart of Kingston University’s reputation as the UK’s leading university for Future Skills.

I established the English PGCE subject route when I joined Kingston and continue to lead it. I also served as Secondary Course/Phase Lead, overseeing a major curriculum redesign to ensure the Secondary PGCE reflected sector-wide policy changes. That work helped prepare student teachers to develop the critical thinking, collaboration and digital competencies that employers and schools increasingly value.

Today, I am Senior Lecturer and Route Lead for the Secondary English PGCE. I am also responsible for the design and leadership of the PGCE Level 7 module 'Reflexive Teaching'. In each of these roles, I support students to connect theory with practice, build confidence in their professional judgement, and develop the reflective self-awareness and critical thinking that defines outstanding teachers and helps make our early career teachers sought-after by our partnership schools.

I am engaged in a range of partnership activity that supports knowledge exchange and transfer across the faculty and our wider network of school partners. In 2022/23 I conceptualised and launched The Kingston Teachers’ Research Network with a conference for teachers that aimed to support research endeavour in schools and knowledge exchange within the Kingston partnership. This initiative strengthens the impact of research across our community, encouraging early career teachers and experienced colleagues alike to innovate, share knowledge and test ideas in practice. My leadership in partnership and curriculum was recognised with the award of Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2023. I currently represent the Department of Education at the faculty Partnership Engagement Group (PEG). Here I am able to support the development and enhancement of policy and practice across the faculty to enhance student experiences whilst on professional practice placements. As part of the most recent PEG annual conference, I led a workshop for external practice partners and faculty members across Education, Midwifery, Social Care and Health on compassionate and inclusive models of professionalism which problematised issues of social and cultural inclusivity within practice-based judgements around professional behaviours.

My own research also shapes my teaching. I completed a Master’s in Research (with distinction) in 2024, exploring how early career English teachers experience professional autonomy. This work continues to inform how I prepare Kingston’s PGCE students to become confident, creative and independent practitioners and how I support and work with school English mentors in developing good practice.

Beyond Kingston, I am regional convenor for the National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE), connecting our students with contemporary national debates about English subject pedagogy and education policy. My work with NATE has led to Kingston University hosting NATE's annual conference at our Kingston Hill Campus. This provides a unique opportunity for Kingston PGCE English students to experience enriching subject development beyond the PGCE course and network with English teachers from across the country and national organisations such as AQA, The British Library and Poetry By Heart.

Through my teaching and research, my aim is to ensure that PGCE students leave Kingston not only as subject specialists but as educators who can adapt, collaborate and lead — qualities that will make them sought-after throughout their careers. I am proud to be part of a diverse and inclusive university community that is rated TEF Gold for excellence in teaching, learning and outcomes. At Kingston, our commitment to Future Skills, our award-winning Town House Strategy, and our strong partnerships with schools and professional bodies all contribute to an ambitious, innovative and supportive environment for our students.

• Master of Research (MRes)
• Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy SFHEA
• PGCE (Secondary English)
• BA (Hons) English Literature