Dr Penny Hay has worked in education since 1983, as a primary teacher, arts advisory teacher and as a teacher and researcher in higher education since 1992, at the Institute of Education and Goldsmiths College, University of London, Roehampton Institute, University of the West of England and Bath Spa University. She is committed to developing creative teaching and research informed practice with public impact in creative learning and pedagogy. She has worked extensively in arts education and creative pedagogy across the UK and internationally.
Penny co-ordinated the professional development programme for the National Society for Education in Art and Design and was instrumental in designing the National Artist Teacher Scheme with Arts Council England and Tate Modern that offers teachers the opportunity to develop their own creative practice. From 2000, she focused on teachers’ professional development through creative practice, working with schools, cultural centres and artists, as Director of Research with House of Imagination (formerly 5x5x5=creativity). Penny joined Bath Spa University in 2007 as Senior Lecturer in Arts Education and now Reader in Creative Teaching and Learning in the School of Education. She is Course Leader for Arts and Heritage and the Arts Specialism on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Primary and Early Years programmes and a tutor on the Professional Masters Programme. Her role involves the provision of teacher education in Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Higher Education.
Penny is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries and a member of the Creative Leadership team. Her teaching and research focuses on developing agency and dynamic relationships through creative educational and artistic practices, encouraging deeper understanding of the value and role of creative learning and teaching. She is committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion. She offers a supportive and creative learning environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Penny is dedicated to transformative teaching and learning, underpinned by a clear set of values and a focus on innovation and creativity. She prioritises students as co-researchers in learning and as co-educators, in flexible learning environments that invite self-directed enquiry and co-enquiry in a creative and immersive learning environment.