Leanne has expertise in early years and primary education, with a particular interest in early mathematics. Prior to joining the university, Leanne was a primary school headteacher. Leanne is the Lead for ITT in Chelmsford and holds strategic responsibility for ITT mentoring as part of our newly accredited provision to award Qualified Teacher Status.
View Leanne’s ResearchGate profile
Beginning her teaching career in 2005, Leanne has spent over 15 years teaching across the whole primary age range in schools in London and Essex. She became an Advanced Skills Teacher in mathematics and early years before moving into a senior leadership role. She was a deputy head in primary schools in both Southwark and Tower Hamlets before moving to a headship in Essex. She has extensive experience of working with pupils with English as an additional language.
Leanne’s doctoral research focused on preschool counting and explored what development looks like in counting for a child during the nursery year. She is interested in early years and primary education, with a particular focus on mathematics, outdoor learning, and learners with English as an additional language.
Leanne currently teaches on the following modules:
Gray, L and Harris, M. (2024) Enjoyment, Confidence, and Broader Experiences of Teaching Mathematics to the Under-fives: accounts from students of Early Childhood Studies, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, doi:10.1080/1350293X.2024.2331219
Gray, L and Wisbey, M. In Bradbury, A. Musgrave, J. & Perkins, H. (2023) A Practical Guide To Early Childhood Studies Graduate Practitioner Competencies. London. Learning Matters.
Wood A, Gray, L, Bowser-Angermann, J., Gibson, P., Fossey M. and Godier-McBard, L. (2022) Social media and Internet-based communication in military families during separation: An international scoping review, New Media and Society, doi:10.1177/14614448221117767
Wood, A., Bowser-Angermann, J., Gray, L, Fossey, M. and Godier-McBard. L. (2022) ‘Dropping in and out’: social media and internet-based communication amongst Naval families during separation. Naval Children’s Charity. Available at: navalchildrenscharity.org.uk (pdf)