Sharne Watkins

Overview

Sharne began her career as a primary school teacher in South Wales before joining Cardiff Metropolitan University (then UWIC) in 1998. Her responsibilities included the teaching, direction, and development of Language and Literacy across ITE programmes, including the BA (Hons) Primary and PGCE Primary. In recognition of her contributions to study skills and student support, she was awarded one of the university’s first Teaching Fellowships in 2003.

She has held leadership roles within Initial Teacher Education, significantly contributing to literacy development, wellbeing, equity, and safeguarding across the School. Her work has helped strengthen teacher education in Wales, including leading the validation and accreditation of PGCE Primary, PGCE Secondary, BA (Hons) Primary with QTS, and the new PGCE Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for School-Based Employees. She played a leading role in establishing the Cardiff Partnership for ITE, overseeing a comprehensive review and re-design of ITE content, processes, and partnerships.

In recent years, Sharne’s experience extended beyond the university through a secondment as Strategic Manager for HEI/Schools Partnership with Central South Consortium Joint Education Service, working with multiple universities and schools across the region. She led initiatives to enhance the profile and impact of ITE, including the publication 10 Ways to Support Initial Teacher Education in Schools. She also developed bridging experiences and materials to support student teachers transitioning towards NQT induction and a programme for early career teachers in their second year of teaching.

Alongside her work in ITE, Sharne has contributed to curriculum development by co-authoring books for Sport Wales’ Play to Learn resources, designed to enhance children’s physical and sporting skills. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and an Estyn Peer Inspector, she has also served as a governor in both primary and secondary schools. Sharne remains committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and excellence within the Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy, ensuring all students are supported and empowered to succeed, regardless of their chosen career path.

Sharne is currently Associate Dean for Student Engagement (Acting) within CSESP.

Research Publications

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