SHAMIM ASHRAF

Shamim Ashraf is a Lecturer in Early Years Education at the Faculty of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University. With a 38-year career spanning teaching, leadership, and research, she has held roles including Head Teacher of a maintained nursery school, Area Team Leader for Early Years Foundation Stage Consultants, and EAL Advisory Teacher. Her work focuses on early years curriculum development, language-literacy integration, and social justice in education.

• Education:
  • B.A. Education and Community Studies (University of Cumbria, 1998)
  • PGCert Early Years Specialism (Manchester Metropolitan University, 2003)

Research interests include the role of musicality in literacy development and well-being, as well as addressing social inequalities in early childhood education. Her collaborative research with Curious Minds.Org resulted in a published paper investigating musicality’s impact in nursery settings. She currently teaches on the Foundation Degree in Early Years and the BA (Hons) Early Years Leadership and Education programs.

As a governor of a Special School, she ensures alignment with current legislation and curricula. Her advisory work as a Link Tutor supports PGCE and undergraduate students during professional placements across the North West.