Nanna Ryder

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Mrs Nanna Ryder  BA, MEd., PGCE (Primary), PGCE (HE), FHEA

Senior Lecturer

Tel: 01267 676795
E-mail: n.ryder@uwtsd.ac.uk



  • Lecturing on the BA Primary Education with QTS, National MA Education (Wales) courses
  • Supervising dissertations on the National MA Education (Wales) and MA Wellbeing and Professional Learning courses

Nanna decided to return to study after raising a family and working in nursery and primary schools in Ceredigion as a learning assistant for many years. She undertook a degree in Early Years Education and a PGCE (Primary) course in Trinity College and was then a primary teacher for a time at a rural primary school in Ceredigion.

She was appointed a lecturer in the School of Education Studies and Social Inclusion in 2008. As part of her role, she lectured on the Education Studies course and the Foundation Degree in Inclusive Studies for Teaching Assistants on the Carmarthen campus and locations in Powys and Pembrokeshire.

In 2010, she received a fellowship from the Higher Education Academy to develop the Welsh medium Special Educational Needs provision within the Faculty of Education and Training. Following this, she focused on the Additional Learning Needs and Wellbeing on the BA Primary Education with QTS and PGCE Primary and Secondary courses in the South West Wales Centre for Teacher Education, also contributing to modules relating to professional studies, the Foundation Phase and mathematics and numeracy.

She is currently teaching on the BA course and MA courses within the Centre as well as working on a number of research projects.

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Member of the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW)
  • Member of UCAC
  • Member of the Gorsedd of the Bards (Writer Guild)
  • Teaching and leading modules on the Additional Learning Needs pathway (ECEW7002/7009/7010) and the Emotional Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing module (ECEW7005) on the National MA Education (Wales) programme
  • Supervising a dissertation on the National MA Education (Wales) programme
  • Supervising a MA Wellbeing and Professional Learning dissertation (ECGE7002P)
  • Teaching and leading a level 6 module on the BA programme (ECAD6013/C)
  • Contributing towards undergraduate and postgraduate lectures in the following fields:
    • Additional Learning Needs
    • Children’s rights
    • Emotional and social wellbeing
    • Health and Wellbeing in the Curriculum for Wales

For her Masters, Nanna researched the language difficulties of Welsh medium higher education students and the support for them as well as how to support boys with specific language difficulties and dyslexia. Her doctoral dissertation topic is ‘What are the perceptions of Key Stage Two (7-11 years) teachers, learning support assistants and learners of emotional and social wellbeing in the context of the Curriculum for Wales?’

Between 2017 and 2019 she was a member of the CAMAU research project The CAMAU project | UWTSD in conjunction with the University of Glasgow, working on progress within the Health and Wellbeing Area of Learning and Experience for the Curriculum for Wales. Since 2022, she has been a senior researcher on the follow-up project, CAMAU i'r Dyfodol Camau ir Dyfodol | University of Wales Trinity Saint David (uwtsd.ac.uk), working with the University of Glasgow again, looking at the way schools in Wales interpret and incorporate progress within the curriculum.

She is also working on a Welsh Government funded project with Wrexham Glyndŵr University and NAEL on developing professional learning resources for schools based on the Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Framework.

  • Additional Learning Needs and inclusion of children and young people
  • Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
  • Autism Spectrum Condition
  • Children’s emotional and social wellbeing
  • Children’s voice and rights
  • Health and wellbeing in the Curriculum for Wales
  • External Examiner for the PGCE Primary Course (Welsh medium), School of Education, Cardiff Metropolitan University (2014 – 2019)
  • Briefer, assessor and moderator for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification for ERW (2008 – 2018) and external moderator for Welsh Government (2013 & 2015)
  • National test author and reviewer for NFER (2010 – 2018)
  • Leading the Mêts Maesllan Series 1 and 2 Projects for Canolfan Peniarth (2010-2013 & 2019-2023)
  • Greenway, C. & Ryder, N. (2022) ‘Inclusive Play’ in ‘Play’ Waters, J. (ed.). London: Sage.
  • Hayward, L., et al. (2020) So far so good: Building the evidence base for Curriculum for Wales. University of Glasgow and University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
  • Hayward, L., et al. (2018) CAMAU Project: Research Report. University of Glasgow and University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
  • Ryder, N. (ed.) (2018) Cefnogi Pob Plentyn (e-book). Carmarthen: Canolfan Peniarth/Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
  • Ryder, N. (2011) Cynnwys Pawb yn y Cyfnod Sylfaen in S.W. Siencyn, Y Cyfnod Sylfaen: Athroniaeth, Ymchwil ac Ymarfer. Carmarthen: University of Wales Trinity Saint David Publications.
  • Ryder, N. (2013) Yr ABC i Anghenion Ychwanegol. Carmarthen: Canolfan Peniarth.

Conferences

  • Hayward, L., Hughes, S., Ryder, N. & Stacey, D. (2021) The CAMAU project: schools and universities working together to support learner progression in the context of Curriculum for Wales. Presentation for National Strategy for Educational Research and Enquiry.
  • Hughes, S.V, Spencer, E. & Ryder, N. (2017) CAMAU project: Progression Frameworks and Progression Steps – Learning about Progression. Symposium presentation at AEA Europe conference (Prague). 
  • Makara, K., Ryder, N. & Wallis, R. (2019) ‘The CAMAU project: Describing Learning Progression within Curricular Areas of Learning’. Symposium presentation at BERA conference (Manchester).
  • Ryder, N. & Griffiths, E., (2023) ‘Improving the Provision of Welsh Medium ALN Support’. Spotlight presentation at Senedd Insight conference (online).

Books/Resources for schools

  • Clement, C., Thomas, M. & Ryder, N. (2023) Mêts Maesllan 2 (32 books). Carmarthen: Canolfan Peniarth.
  • Clement, B., Thomas, M., & Ryder, N. (2014) Cyfres Mêts Maesllan (32 reading books and resource pack). Carmarthen: Canolfan Peniarth.
  • Ryder, N. & Richards, C. (2010) Cyfres o 12 Chwedl: Pergrin a’r Fôr Forwyn, Dewi Sant, Dewi ar Daith, Morwyn Llyn y Fan, Cyfrinach y Brenin, Blodeuwedd, Priodas Nant Gwrtheyrn, Cantre’r Gwaelod, Santes Melangell, Moch Pryderi, Pwyll a Rhiannon, Branwen. Llandysul: Gomer. 
  • Representing the University as a trustee for Wales Dyslexia (2013-2019)
  • Receipt of grant from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to develop an e-book for level 4 students (2016 – see 2018 publication)
  • Organised the annual ALN and Well-being conference for the Initial Teacher Education student teachers (2014-2023)