Headteacher becomes first Doctorate graduate
Primary school head completes Anglia Ruskin qualification to achieve academic ambition.
Children at an Essex primary school will reap the benefits after its headteacher became the first student to complete Anglia Ruskin’s revised Doctorate in Education qualification.
Nick Rudman, head of Maylandsea Primary School, completed his part-time study in three years and seven months to become the first graduate from the course, which was reshaped four years ago to ensure candidates made more rapid progress.
Dr Rudman wrote his thesis on whether homework was valuable and worthwhile for primary school pupils and sought the opinions of parents of children at his school as well as teachers and pupils themselves. Amongst his conclusions was that while homework can give parents a window into their child’s school life, it can also be a challenge for families and it is important that children develop good routines and the work is meaningful and fun.
Dr Rudman said:
“Professional doctorates allow students to blend academic work with the very real priorities of their working lives. I was encouraged to present my work at conferences and to publish extracts of my writing in peer-reviewed journals. Not only have I achieved my academic ambition but I have also grown and matured intellectually and emotionally as a result of these broader opportunities.”
Geraldine Davis, Director of the Doctorate in Education at Anglia Ruskin, said:
An information event on the Doctorate in Education is taking place on Thursday 11 June from 5pm until 7pm at Anglia Ruskin’s Chelmsford campus. The event is open to any education professional with a Masters degree. To register your interest or to book a place, e-mail vicky.stevenson@aru.ac.uk before 5 June.