Chair: Deb Gajic

Deb Gajic is the ATP Chair. She is Head of Psychology at The Polesworth School. On a personal level she enjoys travel, shopping and wine. She also enjoys spending her time with her family (husband Nik and two grown up daughters, Sophie & Emily and, of course, Colin the cat). Professionally she is interested in active learning techniques, coaching to improve teaching and developing psychology as a science. She occasionally pops up in Onlineclassroom DVDs.

Vice-Chair: Gail Ward

Gail Ward is the Head of Psychology at Durham 6th Form Centre, where there are currently 18 groups of A level students, and 8 members of psychology staff. Her academic interests are self esteem and self efficacy, her MA dissertation was on the impact of target grades on the self esteem of 16 year old students. When she is not teaching, planning or marking (!) she likes travelling, immersing herself in foreign culture and music; she attends a local gym where she does pilates, spinning and salsa dancing, and since the recent ATP conference, belly dancing! She also enjoys relaxing with friends, sharing good (veggie) meals and drinking wine.

Secretary: Morag Williamson

Morag Williamson is ATP Secretary. She teaches psychology at West Lothian College and Napier University, and is an examiner for SQA Psychology Higher and Intermediate. Her special interests are developmental psychology, research methods and data analysis in psychology, and learning, teaching and assessment in the social sciences. Active in ATP Scotland, she is also keen on fostering links with our European colleagues in EFPTA. Sunny days will find her out hill walking, or visiting ancient stones, preferably rounded off with an evening of live jazz.

Treasurer: Janet Brennan

Janet Brennan is the ATP Treasurer. She teaches Psychology at a grammar school in Slough. She did an MSc in intelligent systems and continues to have an interest in human and machine intelligence. She also has a strong interest in research methods and cognitive psychology. When not stuck in a classroom, she likes to travel, attend musical events, read, and do DIY.

Committee Members

Gill Bunting

Gill Bunting taught at Highlands College in Jersey in the sunny Channel Islands, before her well earned retirement. She taught on a variety of courses, including psychology. Gill represents the ATP at numerous meetings of professional bodies, including the GTC. She enjoys travel, especially when it is further than the brief flight from Jersey to the equally picturesque Birmingham for ATP meetings!

Julie Hulme

Julie Hulme is a senior lecturer in Psychology at Staffordshire University, where she is course director for the MSc in Teaching Psychology. She is interested in research in neuropsychology, and also in education/teaching and learning, having previously worked in Further Education and also in teacher education. She also works on a part-time basis for the Open University. Julie has a teenage daughter, and very little spare time(!), but enjoys socialising (especially when good food and red wine is involved).

Emma Shakespeare

Emma Shakespeare is head of Psychology at The McAuley Catholic High School in Doncaster. Having taught psychology as an unqualified teacher, her school supported her through the Graduate Teacher Training Programme (GTP). In her spare time she enjoys traveling, dancing and reading.

Jeff Standen

Jeff Standen is a retired Police Officer, having spent 25 years with Essex Police. During this career, he taught for three years at the Police College in Ashford, Kent, before returning to Essex, completing a degree in psychology and developing the role of Research Officer in the Force. Retiring in 1993, Jeff started teaching Psychology GCSE and A-level at Boston College, Lincolnshire. He sees this now as a full time second career. He is Psychology Co-ordinator at Boston, and teaches A-level, Access to Higher Education, and Researching on the BA Social Sciences degree course. Jeff also examines for AQA (B). He says he doesn’t have time for much else, but tries to fit in some bird watching, stamp collecting, editing the Church Magazine and singing in the choir. His wife, Teresa, doesn’t seem to mind and their four children are either at University or working

Jackie Moody

Jackie Moody studied for her psychology degree with the Open University whilst serving overseas in a clinical capacity as a Senior Welfare Worker.  Jackie retired after 25 years service and was fortunate to be offered a GTP route into teaching.  She is now in her 3rd year teaching A level Psychology (Edexcel) at Teesdale School 6th form centre, County Durham. Jackie sees herself as an eternal student and is thoroughly enjoying her ‘new life’ in teaching in particular developing the scientific aspects of psychology. Her main passions are travelling, walking (She has the Dales on her back door), food and wine and a new one to the list is attending the ATP conference.

Dorothy Coombs

Dorothy Coombs teaches Life Sciences at a sixth form college in North Yorkshire. Her degree is in Biology with Education and she has taught psychology for 15 of her 30 years in teaching. She has recently been honoured with an award from the BPS for her outstanding contribution to the teaching of psychology. One of the few times that this award has gone to someone who teaches at pre-degree level. Dorothy represents the ATP on the board of the European Federation of Psychology Teachers’ Associations and her interest in red wine is purely a rumour! Dorothy also runs the ATP helpline and is always happy to give advice to members on any professional issues.

Membership Secretary: Wendy Wood

Wendy is getting on and has taught psychology since the days when there was virtually no one to teach psychology (ten practicals was it?!). She is currently head of psychology at a little comprehensive in Co Durham – Roseberry SCC. Wendy is the Membership Secretary. membership@theatp.org

Newsletter Editor: Laura Rudd

I am a newly qualified teacher (QTLS), teaching A-level Psychology (OCR) at Franklin sixth form college, North East Lincolnshire. I am interested in educational psychology as well as a large interest and involvement in mentoring projects. I have been heavily involved with mentoring throughout university and hope to continue research in this field.When I do have spare time I enjoy socialising, reading, writing, trampolining and swimming. As a committe member, I hope to have the opportunity to involve more newly qualified teachers in the ATP and write articles for the magazine.  I am also the newsletter editor.

The next ATP committee meeting is: –

January 30th 2010 – Birmingham

April 24th 2010 – Sheffield

June 19th 2010 – Newcastle

Venues TBC