Rachel Simpson

Rachel Simpson is an Associate Professor and Honorary Fellow in Durham University's School of Education, specializing in Initial Teacher Education (ITE). She holds leadership roles as Director of Professional Programmes (non-QTS) and Assessment Leader across ITE programmes, overseeing assessment and feedback systems. Her career spans primary school teaching in the UK and Vietnam, followed by Higher Education roles at Leeds Trinity University and Durham.

• BSc(Hons) in Animal and Plant Biology (Sheffield University, 1996)
• PGCE in Primary Education (Homerton College, Cambridge, 1996)

Her research focuses on creative teaching methodologies, student-centered learning, and formative assessment through peer review systems. She co-led a university-funded project enhancing trainee teacher engagement with feedback and is currently developing creative teaching packages to boost teacher resilience and passion. Active in outreach, she delivers workshops on creative teaching and leads Primary Science CPD for schools.

Notable contributions include designing academic writing support tools for PGCE students and collaborating on initiatives like the Into Opera residency. Awards include Senior Fellow of the HEA.

Leadership roles include PGCE Primary Programme Director, Co-Programme Director of the PGCE International Programme, and welfare tutoring. She has supervised projects on student engagement and led HEA-funded initiatives.