Caroline Elbra-Ramsay

Dr. Caroline Elbra-Ramsay serves as Deputy Head of School and Associate Professor at York St John University within the School of Education, Language and Psychology. With extensive experience in both higher education and primary school settings, she focuses on Initial Teacher Education, working alongside Associate Heads, Programme Leads, lecturers, academics, and school partners to ensure student teachers become professional, reflective practitioners who are "classroom ready." She teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, particularly within English and Professional subject teams, covering modules such as Philosophy for Children, Maths, Art, and Drama.

Dr. Elbra-Ramsay brings valuable practical experience to her academic role, having previously served as Deputy Headteacher at a local primary school where she taught across Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2. During this time, she completed her Master's degree focused on different approaches to teaching English and achieved the National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH). She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Notably, she returned to classroom teaching for Year Five during academic leave to refresh her practice and conduct research projects.

Her research explores Philosophy for Children, assessment practices, and feedback mechanisms in teacher education. Dr. Elbra-Ramsay's work investigates the complex interplay between pedagogical, relational, and moral dimensions of assessment, particularly regarding student teachers' understanding of feedback. Her innovative approach draws connections between unexpected domains (like reality television) and educational practices, revealing insights about feedback processes. Her PhD thesis was titled 'Navigating the Pedagogical, Relational and Moral Economies of Assessment: An Exploration of the development of Student Teachers' Understanding of Feedback.'

Dr. Elbra-Ramsay's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on feedback literacy and teacher development, with recent work examining children's philosophical dialogue experiences and the implications of reality TV for educational feedback practices. Her research trajectory moves from practical classroom applications toward more theoretical explorations of assessment economies in teacher education.

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Multiple SAPERE Philosophy for Children certifications (Levels 1, 2a, and 2b)
• Mental Health First Aider award
• National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH)

As Deputy Head of School and Ofsted Lead, Dr. Elbra-Ramsay plays a significant leadership role in shaping teacher education programs. Her return to classroom teaching demonstrates her commitment to maintaining strong connections between theory and practice. She serves as module director for the undergraduate year 3 Professional Studies module 'The Emerging Professional' and acts as both a Lead Mentor and Academic Tutor for teacher education students.