Karen Stephens BA (Hons), PGCE with QTS, MA, SFHEA

Karen has been in education for over 25 years, initially as a teacher of English as a Second Language mostly based in Asia. She moved into primary teaching after completing a PGCE Primary with QTS at the University of Greenwich. Karen taught in a couple of primary schools over eight years; she has led science and English, been an NQT mentor and trainer and supported trainee students.

She later moved into higher education, starting at the University of East London where she was Programme Lead for both the PGCE and BA Primary Education with QTS before joining the University of Greenwich in 2022.

Karen is joint programme lead for the BA (Hons) Working with Vulnerable Children and Families. She is also the subject lead for Primary Science and PSHE/RSE.

She completed an MA in Education at Canterbury Christ Church University in 2017 and is currently working towards a Doctorate in Education.

Her current key areas of interest are creativity, promoting primary science, PSHE and RSE and transition.

Posts held previously:

• 2022 - present Senior Lecturer in Primary Education
• 2019 - 2022 Programme Lead PGCE with QTS and BA Primary Education with QTS, University of East London
• 2018 - 2019 Class Teacher and English Lead, South Norwood Primary School
• 2012 - 2018 Class teacher and Science Lead, Red Hill Primary School
• 1999 – 2011 Teacher of English as a Second Language