Gary Pykitt
Senior Lecturer in Primary Education/College Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
School of Education and Social Work
- Email:
- gary.pykitt@bcu.ac.uk
- Phone:
- 0121 331 7326
Gary's association with BCU started in November 1997 when he was interviewed for the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course which commenced in September 1998, graduating with First Class Honours in 2002. Gary’s teaching career commenced at a large primary school in Burton upon Trent, undertaking a variety of responsibilities including History and ICT Subject Leader, Head of Key Stage Two and School Based Tutor for BCU trainees.
Gary's career at Birmingham City University started in September 2007, teaching on History and Professional Studies modules for primary ITE courses and he is now the Lead for Primary Professional Studies. In addition to his Senior Lecturer role, he is the College Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Education and Social Work, which enables him to work across the university to support the development of inclusive and equitable practice. He is the pastoral lead for year three of the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course. Gary works in a wider context within the university, supporting the Advance HE Fellowship in his capacity of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Gary has held External Examiner posts at London Goldsmiths University and St Mary’s University. He is currently External Examiner for undergraduate primary ITT provision at Staffordshire University and the University of Brighton. He is a member of Leeds Trinity University’s Partnership Leadership Group. In June 2019, Gary’s book, Shifting Sands: Contemporary Issues in Primary Schools was published by Critical Publishing.
Gary is currently working on his doctoral thesis: “A hopeful future? A critical exploration of the possibilities for teachers enabling LGBT+ representation and inclusivity in mainstream primary schools.”
Gary has served as a Trustee for a Multi Academy Trust. He is now the Chair of Governors for a federation of primary schools in Derbyshire.