Dr Mark Bowler

Principal Lecturer and Deputy Head of Initial Teacher Education

Mark Bowler

An experienced, dynamic and successful teacher educator with a passion for research-informed practice and high-quality student and staff experiences that enable transformational higher education opportunities. As Principal Lecturer and Deputy Head of Initial Teacher Education, I lead key elements of our provision, including Ofsted and Department for Education compliance, cross-phase self-evaluation and improvement planning and Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP). My current and recent roles have evidenced improved student recruitment, experience and outcomes, as well as significant contributions to supporting the development of the next generation of inspirational teachers.

I have sustained influential relationships with external networks, including the Association for Physical Education, the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) and England Athletics. I am a self-motivated, critical-thinking practitioner and an empowering leader. I am privileged to support student teachers, teachers and colleagues to give children and young people outstanding educational experiences that will shape their lives for the better.

My research interests lie broadly in the field of physical education and sport pedagogy. During my PhD, I developed (in collaboration with teachers and international scholars) a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education which aims to support young people to value a physically active life. I take an interest and critical stance on current and possible approaches to the physical education curriculum design and implementation. I am a qualified coach in over a dozen sports, as well as holding Fitness Instructor and Boxercise qualifications. I am an England Athletics Licensed Athletics Coach and have previously also worked as an England Athletics Licensed Tutor, supporting others through their athletics coaching and teaching qualifications.

Other References

Twitter: @Health_Based_PE and @UoB_PhysEd
LinkedIn
ResearchGate
University of Bedfordshire Repository

Qualifications

PhD Health Based Physical Education – Loughborough University
MA Education – University of Bedfordshire (Distinction)
BEd (Hons) Secondary Physical Education and History (QTS) – De Montfort University, Bedford (First class Honours)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Membership of Professional Bodies

Association for Physical Education
Association of Learning Technology
Member of the BERA Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Special Interest Group

Teaching Expertise

Teaching and Unit Coordination - BA (Hons) Physical Education (QTS): Health-based Physical Education (Level 4, 5 and 6); Athletics (Level 4/5/6); Dissertation supervision (Level 6/7); School Experience supervision (Level 4, 5 and 6); Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Schools (Level 6/7)
Teaching - PGCE Physical Education: Athletics; Health-based Physical Education; Research project supervision (M level); School Experience supervision
Teaching - MA Education: Dissertation supervision

Research Interests

Health-Based Physical Education
Curriculum design and implementation
Models-based practice
Pupil-centered approaches to teaching and structuring curriculum athletics
Technology Enhanced Learning
Assessment for Learning

Research Projects

Developing a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education (2011-2019) (collaboration as part of my PhD between University of Bedfordshire, Loughborough University and Ghent University, Belgium)
The lesson planning process in Physical Education Teacher Education (2012-2015) (collaboration between Brunel University, University of Bedfordshire and Leeds Metropolitan University)
Professional development for teachers in rural Malawi (2009-2013)
The DelPHE Malawi Project was runner up for ‘Project of the Year’ and St Joseph’s Teacher Training College won ‘Partner of the Year’ at the Inaugural University Student Experience Awards in June 2013. See peer-reviewed outputs from the project: Sammon & Bowler (2009) below and Gardner & Rix (2011) at http://thescipub.com/PDF/jssp.2012.135.142.pdf

Publications

Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Coles, B. (forthcoming) ‘Schemes of learning, sequences of learning and lesson planning’ in Younie, S., Booth, N., Lawrence, J. & Hidson, E. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (10th edn.) London: Routledge. pp.XX-XX.
Bowler, M., Sammon, P. & Casey, A. (2022) ‘Health-based Physical Education: A Pedagogical Model in Focus’ in Cale, L. & Harris, J. (eds.) Physical Education Pedagogies for Health, London: Routledge. pp.62-76.
Sammon, P., Bowler, M. & Casey, A. (2022) ‘An Introduction to New PE-for Health Pedagogies, Approaches and Models’ in Cale, L. & Harris, J. (eds.) Physical Education Pedagogies for Health, London: Routledge. pp.48-61.
Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2022) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Younie, S. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (9th edn.) London: Routledge. pp.92-105.
Bowler, M. & Sammon, P. (2020) ‘Health-Based Physical Education – a framework for promoting active lifestyles in children and young people. Part 1: Introducing a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’, Physical Education Matters, 15(3), pp.60-63.
Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2020) ‘Health-Based Physical Education – a framework for promoting active lifestyles in children and young people. Part 2: Health-Based Physical Education in practice’, Physical Education Matters, 15(3), pp.64-66.
Bowler, M., Bassett, S. & Newton, A. (2020) ‘Assessing pupils’ learning’ in Capel, S., Cliffe, L. & Lawrence, J. (eds.) A Practical Guide to Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School (3rd edn.) London: Routledge. pp.191-201.
Newton, A. & Bowler, M. (2020) ‘Assessment for and of learning in PE’ in Capel, S. & Gower, C. (eds.) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (5th edn.) London: Routledge. pp.144-160.
Bowler, M., Newton, A., Keyworth, S. & McKeown, J. (2020) ‘Secondary School Physical Education’ in Capel, S. & Blair, R. (eds.) Debates in Physical Education (2nd edn.) London: Routledge. pp.170-189.
Bowler, M. (2019) Developing a pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education. PhD thesis. Loughborough University. Available at: https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/37704.
Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2019) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Younie, S. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (8th edn.) London: Routledge. pp.92-104.
Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2019) ‘Supporting beginning physical education teachers to deliver and evaluate their lessons’ in Capel, S. & Lawrence, J. (eds.) Mentoring Physical Education Teachers in the Secondary School: A practical guide. London: Routledge. pp.169-182.
O’Donovan, T., Ives, H.M, Bowler, M. & Sammon, P. (2016) ‘Active Inspiration Playmakers Final Report’. University of Bedfordshire: Institute of Sport & Physical Activity Research. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10547/623863.
Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2016) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Younie, S. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (7th edn.) London: Routledge. pp.108-121.
Newton, A. & Bowler, M. (2015) ‘Assessment for and of learning in PE’ in Capel, S. & Whitehead, M. (eds.) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (5th edn). London: Routledge. pp. 140-155.
Bowler, M., Bassett, S. & Newton, A. (2014) ‘Assessing pupils’ learning’ in Capel, S. & Breckon, P. (eds.) A Practical Guide to Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School (2nd edn.) London: Routledge. pp. 197-210.
Bassett, S., Bowler, M. & Newton, A. (2013) ‘Schemes of work, units of work and lesson planning’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. & Turner, T. (eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (6th edn.) London: Routledge. pp. 99-111.
Bowler, M. & Raiker, A. (2011) ‘Learning to ‘chat’: Developing a pedagogical framework for facilitating online synchronous tutorial discussion’. Journal of Pedagogic Development, 1 (1), pp. 6-16. Available at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/jpd
Newton, A. & Bowler, M. (2010) ‘Assessment for and of learning’ in Capel, S. & Whitehead, M. (eds.) Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience (3rd edn). London: Routledge. pp. 119-133.
Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2009) ‘Developing Physical Education in Malawi’. Physical Education Matters, 4 (4), pp. 53-54.
Killingbeck, M., Bowler, M., Golding, D. & Sammon, P. (2007) ‘Physical Literacy and Physical Education’. Physical Education Matters, 2 (2), pp. 20-24.

Funding Awards

2022-2023. European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) funding bid.
2021-2022. Awarded 8000 Euros. Spanish Superior Sports Council. International Research Network on Physical Education and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion.
May 2015-July 2016. Awarded £30,000. A 1 year ‘Active Inspiration’ project from Virgin Active to support Primary School Teachers in promoting Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in young people. Led by Dr. Helen Ives.
Sept 2010 – August 2013. Awarded £59,100. A 3 year project from the Developing Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) Project Grant titled ‘Professional Development for teachers in Rural Malawi’. Led by Professor Kate Jacques (University of Bedfordshire) and St. Joseph’s Teacher Training College, Dedza, Malawi. See Training for teachers gives hope for malawis children

External Roles

External Examiner for a range of PE ITE programme at Higher Education Institutions
Adviser to England Athletics in the development of ‘Run, Jump, Throw’, a teaching and learning resource for Primary Teachers. See englandathletics.org (2014)
Elected Member of the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Eastern Region Executive Committee
Elected Treasurer (2014-)
Elected Secretary (2008-2014)
Licensed England Athletics Athletics Teacher, Coach and Officials Education Tutor (2005-2018)
Journal Reviewer
European Physical Education Review
Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education
European Physical Education Review
Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Physical Education Matters
Elected Chairman of Boston and District Athletic Club (2012-)
Competition Organiser and Meeting Manager for the annual Bedfordshire & Luton Schools’ Combined Events Championships (2009-)
Invited member of the Bedfordshire Sports Colleges Network (2007-2011)
Invited member of the England Athletics 'Schools Athletics Leadership Group' (2008)
Advisor to UK Athletics in the development of the 'Strategy for Teacher Education' and national 'Elevating Athletics' resources. I was the lead teacher in the original 'Elevating Athletics Primary DVD' (2003-2005).

Conference Presentations

Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2021) ‘Developing trainees’ ‘PE-for-health’ pedagogies’. Paper presented at the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Annual Physical Education ITTE Conference, Online Presentation, 31 March.
Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2020) ‘Health-Based Physical Education in Practice’. Webinar presented online for the Association for Physical Education with over 900 attendees, 18 May.
Bowler, M. & Sammon, P. (2020) ‘Introducing a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Webinar presented online for the Association for Physical Education with over 900 attendees, 11 May.
Bowler, M. (2016) ‘Promoting Healthy Active Lifestyles in Schools - Developing a Model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Paper presented at the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Annual Physical Education Conference, St Georges Park, 5-6 July.
Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Kirk, D., Haerens, L., Cale, L. & Casey, A. (2015) Developing a prototype Health-Based Physical Education pedagogical model. Paper presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Annual Conference, Universidad Europea, Madrid, Spain, 8-11 July. Available at: http://aiesep.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-AIESEP-CONFERENCE-MADRID-Final-Verssion.pdf pp.97-98.
Sammon, P., Bowler, M., Kirk, D., Haerens, L., Cale, L. & Casey, A. (2015) ‘Supporting teachers to implement a new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Paper presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Annual Conference, University of Madrid, Spain, 8-11 July.
Sammon, P. & Bowler, M. (2014) ‘A new pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education’. Paper presented at the Association for Physical Education (afPE) Annual Physical Education ITTE Conference, University of Wolverhampton, 20 March.
Sammon, P., Bowler, M., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2014) ‘Teachers’ experiences engaging in professional development for a Health-Based Physical Education model’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Institute of Education, London, 23-25 September.
Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2013) ‘What’s the impact of Health-Based Physical Education? Initial findings from a student perspective’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Sussex, 3-5 September.
Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2012) ‘Validating the Health-Based Physical Education pedagogical model: Defining teacher and student benchmarks’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, 4-6 September.
Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2012) ‘Validating the Health-Based Physical Education pedagogical model: Defining teacher and student benchmarks’. Paper presented at the 2nd Exchange Conference between the University of Bedfordshire, Ghent University and University of Birmingham, University of Bedfordshire , 19 June.
Sammon, P., Bowler, M., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2011) ‘Developing a professional development programme for teachers to implement and sustain a Health-Based Physical Education model in their schools’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Institute of Education, London, 6-8 September.
Bowler, M., Sammon, P., Casey, A., Haerens, L. & Kirk, D. (2011) ‘Developing a pedagogical model for Health-Based Physical Education: Identifying assumptions about learning and teaching’. Paper presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Annual Conference, University of Limerick, Ireland, 22-25 June.
Bowler, M. (2011) ‘Valuing the physically active life: Developing and sustaining Health-Based Physical Education in primary schools’. Paper presented at the Inaugural Exchange Conference between the University of Bedfordshire, Ghent University and University of Birmingham, Ghent University, Belgium, 16 February.
Bowler, M. (2009) ‘Learning to ‘chat’ in a virtual learning environment: Using online synchronous discussion to conduct a first year undergraduate tutorial’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, 2-5 September. Available at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/184295.pdf.
Bowler, M. (2009) ‘The influence of the TARGET motivational climate structures on pupil physical activity levels during year 9 athletics lessons’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, 2-5 September. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10547/626354.
Bowler, M. (2009) ‘The influence of the TARGET motivational climate structures on pupil physical activity levels in physical education’. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association (BERA) PE & Sport Pedagogy Special Interest Group Symposium, University of Birmingham, 23 March.

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 793379
E: mark.bowler@beds.ac.uk