Year
2015
National Teaching Fellow 2015
In 2000 Dr Jonathan Barnes returned to Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), where he originally trained as a middle school teacher 42 years ago. A long and varied life in education has involved work in secondary, tertiary, primary and lately nursery education. His first teaching post was in a community secondary school in Kenya. Secondary experience was developed in seven years teaching history, geography and art in secondary schools in the UK. After two years' teaching English in Malaysia he returned to England and entered primary education in 1984 as a year three class teacher.
Jonathan remained in primary education for 16 years becoming and primary school head in 1992 before joining the academic staff of CCCU as lecturer in music, geography and professional studies. At CCCU he shares his interests in cross-curricular learning and international perspectives through teaching, designing modules, providing keynote lectures and writing. This work currently gives him the opportunity to lead staff development inputs to universities and arts organisations across the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Malaysia and India.
Throughout his career the well-being of children and the adults who work with them has been a primary concern. Jonathan used his doctoral studies, research and writing on values and well-being to inform and transform his teaching. As a result he has proposed a unique and sensitive curriculum for primary schools based upon his concept of positive pedagogy. This curriculum centres on real and relevant experience to generate positive, motivating engagement and deep learning. His book Cross-Curricular learning 3-14 summarises the research background and practical application of his curriculum. The book, now in its third edition, has led to many invitations to speak and lead workshops throughout the UK.