Marie Helks

Marie Helks is a Principal Lecturer and Head of Area for Primary Postgraduate provision at the Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), part of Sheffield Hallam University. She leads the Primary Postgraduate courses within the Department of Teacher Education, focusing on school-led, research-informed teacher education. Her academic background includes a BEd (Hons), MEd, and EdD awarded in 2019, with her doctoral research examining pupils’ conceptual understanding of grammatical terminology.

Her teaching expertise spans undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Primary English, including Reflecting on Approaches to Teaching (Level 7) and Professional Practice and Curriculum Studies: English (Level 6). She also serves as a PGCE Academic Adviser, contributing to Masters-level modules.

Research interests center on grammar teaching’s intersection with linguistics and cognitive psychology, alongside curriculum development. She has presented work nationally and published in English in Education. She co-edited a Routledge book chapter on diverse literacies in primary classrooms.

Marie collaborates with outstanding school partners and is a member of the UKLA and NATE professional associations. Her strategic leadership in SIoE emphasizes collaboration and excellence in teacher training.