Gillian Beck

General Information

Teaching Responsibilities

• Year 1 Professional Studies and Placement
• Year 1 Literacy
• Year 2 Literacy
• Year 3 SEN and Additional Needs
• Year 3 Literacy
• Year 4 ASD and Sensory Issues
• Year 4 Professional Studies and Placement – SEN placement
• PGCE – SEN
• International modules – SEN/Literacy
• Providence module – Literacy
• Masters level: SEN CPD literacy tutor
• Degree enhancement:
  • Primary Movement
  • MAKATON
  • Pupil Support Scheme
• Addressing sensory Need through play-therapy  Royal Hospital for Sick Children
• CPD programme: SEN FIRST

External Interests / Community Service

• President of NASEN NI (2016-18)
• Vice President of NASEN NI (2015-16)
• Member of NASEN NI (2013-2015)
• Fighting Words Belfast
• Pupil Support Scheme
• Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (FHEA)
• Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA)
• Approved Teacher Status (British Dyslexia Association)

Research Interests

• Current doctoral studies: The Sensory Curriculum
• Special Educational Needs
• Literacy
• Planning in the Special School Sector
• Role of the Classroom Assistant

Background & Qualifications

• M.Ed.(Education /SEN: Distinction)
• B.Ed. (Education /English Literature: Hons)

Research & Scholarship

Journal Articles

Beck, G.J. ,  O’Connor-Bones, U, Gracey, J., Kelly, G and Walsh, G. (2021) ‘In need of review: Developing Sensory Provision in Northern Ireland’s Mainstream Primary classrooms,’ Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs.

Beck, G.J., O’Connor-Bones, Gracey, J., Kelly, G and Walsh, G. (2020) Are we teachers or therapists?: A systematic review of cross-professional research on the role of a sensory curriculum in primary mainstream education, Research Papers in Education (under review)

Beck, G.J.,  McPhillips, T.,  Hazzard, D., Tiernan, B., Casserly, A. (2017) “Dyslexia policy and practice: Cross-professional and parental perspectives on the Northern Ireland Context”, British Journal of Special Education, 44 (2), pp.145-164. Available online at https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12172

Research Report

Purdy, N., Beck, G., McClelland, D., O’Hagan, C., Totton, L., & Harris, J. (2020) Too Little, Too Late – The views of parents/carers on their child’s experiences of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) process in mainstream schools, NICCY: Belfast.

McPhillips,T., Beck. G, Casserly, A., Hazzard, D. and Tiernan, B. (2015) Dyslexia in Ireland: A Review of current provision of support since the publication of the Task Force Reports, North and South (2002), SCoTENS

Conference Presentations

Beck, G. (2017) Building effective Classroom Teams, NASEN NI Conference, Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Beck, G.J. (August 2017) Using sensory resources: can the expense make sense? CCEA Conference, Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Beck, G.J., Hazzard, D., McPhillips, T., Tiernan, B., and Casserly, A-M.(2017) Dyslexia Policy and Practice: cross-professional perspectives on the Northern Ireland context, British Journal of Special Education,44(2), pp.144-164, DOI.10.1111/1467-8578.12172

Beck, G.J. (April 2017) Developing pupil profiles :The value of shared perspectives, NASEN NI Conference, Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Beck, G.J. (June 2016) Evaluation to intervention: Enhancing employability through action-based assessment (Poster presentation), Innovation in Teaching and Learning Conference, Queen’s University, Belfast

Casserly, A-M, Tiernan, B, Beck, G., Hazzard, D. and McPhillips, T.(2015) Living Literacy: from Tots to Teens, 39th International  Conference, Marino Institute fo Education, Dublin

Casserly, A-M, Tiernan, B, Beck, G., Hazzard, D. and McPhillips, T.(2015) Our School Community: Promoting Resilience and Wellbeing, IATSE Conference, Dublin

Moffett, P. and Beck, G (2015) SEN and Mathematics, NASEN NI Conference, Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Beck, G., Kerins, P., Love, M., McDonagh, D. and Shields, M.(2014) Impact of the Journey: ITE and CPD, Conference Presentation (SCoTENS; Enniskillen)

Beck, G (2014) Making Sense of our Senses: Making Sense of our World, NASEN NI Conference, Belfast

Beck, G.(2011) Capacity Building: A case of outstanding whole school provision of Special Educational Needs in a mainstream school, delivered at the Capacity Building Seminar, DE.

Beck, G. (2010) Addressing Sensory Needs, delivered at ISEC Conference, QUB

Beck, G. (2009) Models of Integration and Support of Disadvantaged Pupils with Special Needs: Comparing Inclusion in a European Context, CEDEFOP, European Centre for the development of Vocational Training.

Beck, G. (2006) Primary Movement: A whole School Approach to supporting pupils with dyslexia, improving academic performance and attention, delivered at SEELB.

Beck, G. (2005) Developing whole school and individual programmes of Primary Movement Support in Mainstream primary school, delivered at QUB.