Staff Profile
Emily Smeaton
Lecturer, Initial Teacher Education
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I joined the ITE team in September 2023 following a 20-year career in primary education across a variety of schools in the UK and a Kindergarten in New Zealand. Over those years, I taught across the primary phase, but predominantly in Key Stage One and Early Years. I have led both Key Stage One and Early Years and a range of subjects. I have a MSc in Psychology in Education (University of York), specialising in Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning and Neuroscience in Education.
Foe several years I was an education consultant developing scenario-based learning for University of York's Teacher Select Project with Dr Rob Klassen which uses research-based tools to develop innovative solutions to identify and develop successful teachers in the UK and Kenya.
Since 2020, I have been an Evidence Lead in Education for a local Research School specialising in the Education Endowment Foundation's Effective Learning Behaviours (Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning, Social and Emotional Learning, SEND, Improving Behaviour, and Working with Parents) and became director of North Yorkshire Coast Research School in 2025.
- Email – e.smeaton@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 486
Further information
Teaching
I teach across the Primary Education 5-11 BA (Hons) programme and Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) programme, specialising in early years and professional studies.
I am Module Director for Early Years Education Professional Elective. I also teach on the Children's Learning in the EYFS, Professional and Academic Skills for the Student Teacher, Professional Studies 2: Becoming a Teacher. Professional Studies (Year 3) and Design and Technology in the Year 2 Wider Curriculum Module.
Research
My research lies in the developmental trajectory of metacognitive abilities in young children to the unitary, domain general metacognitive system in older children. I also research the application of metacognitive strategies in the classroom across a range of subjects.
