Education and social justice: opportunities and challenges
The Slovakian Educational Leadership Conference 2024
8th and 9th November 2024
Hotel Alexander
Bardejov Spa
Slovakia
SPEAKERS
Simon Uttley
Maria Budzynska
Simon Uttley
Professor Simon Uttley is, together with Martin Smilnak, the co-Founder and co-Chair of SELC. He is full Professor and Course Leader for Catholic Education and the Common Good at the University of Notre Dame [U.S.A], London. In addition, Professor Uttley is Visiting Professor in Catholic Education, Institute of Education, St Mary’s Univer
Professor Simon Uttley is, together with Martin Smilnak, the co-Founder and co-Chair of SELC. He is full Professor and Course Leader for Catholic Education and the Common Good at the University of Notre Dame [U.S.A], London. In addition, Professor Uttley is Visiting Professor in Catholic Education, Institute of Education, St Mary’s University, London. His current research includes deepening the relationship between the Higher Education sector and the school (Koinonia), and exploring the importance of meaning and moral purpose in educational curricula. Professor Uttley also holds the position of Visiting Lecturer in Catholic education at Dominican University, Chicago.as well as Visiting Lecturer at UCL Institute of Education, London. In the daytime, Professor Uttley is the Headteacher of Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic High School in Reading, 65km from London. Simon is a licensed Catholic Schools’ Inspector for the schools of the Dioceses of England and Wales. He is also Co-Chair of the Reading Education Partnership, working alongside one of another of this year's speakers. Brian Grady.
Sue Matthews
Maria Budzynska
Simon Uttley
Sue Matthews is Assistant Headteacher, with responsibility for Teaching and Learning and Safeguarding at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School. She teaches both Business Studies and French with previous Head of Department responsibility in both subjects. She holds a BA Honours in French Studies, a Post Graduate Certifcate in Education (P
Sue Matthews is Assistant Headteacher, with responsibility for Teaching and Learning and Safeguarding at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School. She teaches both Business Studies and French with previous Head of Department responsibility in both subjects. She holds a BA Honours in French Studies, a Post Graduate Certifcate in Education (PGCE) a Management Diploma and the National Professional Qualifcation for Headteachers (NPQH). She came into teaching following a successful career in sales and marketing in the French Chemicals and Polymers Industry both in France and the United Kingdom. Sue is married to Jan and is mum to Céline, also a Business Studies and French teacher and Liam a qualifed Occupational Therapist.
Jacek Brant
Maria Budzynska
Maria Budzynska
Professor Jacek Brant is Full Professor at the world-renowned University College, London’s, Institute of Education Faculty of Education and Society. Jacek worked in manufacturing industry for two years before becoming a schoolteacher of economics and business for 11 years and he is now in his 26th year at the IOE. He has run pre-service a
Professor Jacek Brant is Full Professor at the world-renowned University College, London’s, Institute of Education Faculty of Education and Society. Jacek worked in manufacturing industry for two years before becoming a schoolteacher of economics and business for 11 years and he is now in his 26th year at the IOE. He has run pre-service and continuing professional development programmes for teachers; master’s programmes and modules, he supervises research students and is involved in various international projects. Jacek writes on educational issues concerning curriculum and pedagogy. His latest article is available in an open access journal: Brant, J (2022). The curriculum question and school economics: three educational scenarios for the future. Journal of Social Science Education 21(2). https://doi.org/ 10.11576/jsse-4858 of education: Critique and Possibilities in the Journal of Critical Realism.
Maria Budzynska
Maria Budzynska
Maria Budzynska
Maria Budzynska has worked in Catholic secondary education in Inner London schools for over 10 years including in her current role as a senior leader [Deputy Headteacher]. With a background in 11—18 English teaching, she has come to specialise in inclusion, special needs support and whole school pastoral management. A lead practitioner an
Maria Budzynska has worked in Catholic secondary education in Inner London schools for over 10 years including in her current role as a senior leader [Deputy Headteacher]. With a background in 11—18 English teaching, she has come to specialise in inclusion, special needs support and whole school pastoral management. A lead practitioner and an authoritative voice in the area of improving standards, Maria offers fresh thinking around whole-school assessment systems.
David Oswell
Marcin Hryniewicz
Judy Hutchinson
Professor David Oswell
Professor David Oswell is a sociologist and a deputy vice-chancellor at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He has a responsibility for research, innovation and knowledge exchange, as well as leading on various cross-university and sector-wide projects.
Judy Hutchinson
Marcin Hryniewicz
Judy Hutchinson
SELC Honorary Secretary Judy Hutchinson
is the Senior Associate Director for Study Abroad with Notre Dame Global, University of Notre Dame, USA. With over 28 years of experience in formational education in the Catholic university sector, she has been a pivotal member of the university’s international division since 2007. During her te
SELC Honorary Secretary Judy Hutchinson
is the Senior Associate Director for Study Abroad with Notre Dame Global, University of Notre Dame, USA. With over 28 years of experience in formational education in the Catholic university sector, she has been a pivotal member of the university’s international division since 2007. During her tenure in London, she established and led the role of Director of Student Affairs at Notre Dame’s largest global location, where she provided pastoral care for 200 undergraduate and 50 graduate law students each semester. In this role, she also spearheaded the development of numerous experiential learning initiatives, including a robust internship and immersion program. Judy is currently pursuing her doctorate in education at St. Mary’s University in London and serves as the honorary secretary of this conference.
Marcin Hryniewicz
Marcin Hryniewicz
Marcin Hryniewicz
Marcin Hryniewicz is an historian and Head of the History department
at Blessed Hugh Faringdon school. Marcin, originally from Poland, has been in Reading for the last 15 years during which time he has taught history across all secondary ages, worked with children requiring special educational needs and also supported teacher training by
Marcin Hryniewicz is an historian and Head of the History department
at Blessed Hugh Faringdon school. Marcin, originally from Poland, has been in Reading for the last 15 years during which time he has taught history across all secondary ages, worked with children requiring special educational needs and also supported teacher training by mentoring individuals in the process of becoming qualified teachers.
Brian Grady
Marcin Hryniewicz
Marcin Hryniewicz
Brian Grady Brian Grady has over 20 years of civic, public service experience, holding Local Government senior leadership positions in England with responsibility for improving educational outcomes across the English education system. Brian has experience in a variety of contexts of Local Government in England, working in London, densely
Brian Grady Brian Grady has over 20 years of civic, public service experience, holding Local Government senior leadership positions in England with responsibility for improving educational outcomes across the English education system. Brian has experience in a variety of contexts of Local Government in England, working in London, densely populated urban settings and more rural districts, delivering early years, primary and secondary provision and overseeing programmes to improve attainment for disadvantaged groups.
Olena Grushchak
Olena Grushchak
Olena Grushchak
Olena Grushchak
is a dedicated educator with over twenty years of experience in education. Mrs. Grushchak graduated from Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University with a diploma of a specialist in teaching English and French languages, as well as foreign literature. This comprehensive educational background has equipped her wi
Olena Grushchak
is a dedicated educator with over twenty years of experience in education. Mrs. Grushchak graduated from Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University with a diploma of a specialist in teaching English and French languages, as well as foreign literature. This comprehensive educational background has equipped her with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of language education and literature.
After graduating from the university, she worked in Poland for two years, where she taught English at a school, honing her teaching skills and gaining valuable international experience.
Subsequently, Olena served as a Lecturer at Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, where she taught a variety of subjects, including English, Latin, Introduction to Linguistics, and the History of Literature. Her diverse teaching portfolio highlights her versatile knowledge and commitment to fostering a comprehensive understanding of languages and literature among her students.
Currently, Mrs. Grushchak is a lecturer at the Center for Modern Foreign Languages at the Ukrainian Catholic University, where she teaches English and conducts courses in Polish language. Additionally, she serves as the Administrative Director of the English Summer School, further demonstrating her leadership and dedication to language education.
Natasha Coccia
Olena Grushchak
Olena Grushchak
Olena Grushchak
is Senior Assistant Headteacher at Leighton Park school, the UK Independent School of the Year for 2023. She has worked in education for over twenty years in both the State funded and private sector. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and scholar from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama she holds BA (Hons
Olena Grushchak
is Senior Assistant Headteacher at Leighton Park school, the UK Independent School of the Year for 2023. She has worked in education for over twenty years in both the State funded and private sector. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and scholar from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama she holds BA (Hons), PGCE (State teaching certificate) and the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership. She has worked in inner London for 12 years driving whole-school improvement in academic enrichment, co-curricular, pastoral and partnership programmes in one of the most deprived Boroughs of the capital. Natasha is co-founder of the Berkshire Women's Leadership Network, is a school Governor, and sits on the Reading Education Partnerships Board. She has won national awards for her partnership work and lives with her two sons, as well as Woody the Cockerpoo.