A view of Singleton Campus including Singleton Park and the beach, with the sea stretching into the horizon.

Dr Dai Thomas

Senior Lecturer

Education and Childhood Studies

d.v.thomas@swansea.ac.uk

Intermediate Welsh Speaker

Office - 435
Fourth Floor
Keir Hardie Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

Dai began his career as a Geography teacher in Secondary schools in 1996 in both North and South Wales before moving in to the alternative provision sector in 2004 as a behaviour support teacher working with learners who exhibited a range of ALN and had been excluded from or were deemed at risk of permanent exclusion from education across KS2 – KS4. Since moving in to Higher Education in 2015 Dai has taught across both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes relating to education including those offering professional development for teachers and teaching assistants and has supervised a number of MA dissertations across a range of topics.

Areas Of Expertise

Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
Impact of Learner Grouping
Inclusion
SpLD/Dyslexia
Behaviour
Alternative Provision
Teaching Assistants

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Dai has taught modules on a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes relating to ALN and inclusive education including the BA (Honours) Education, MA Education and MA Education (Wales) ALN pathway.

Research

Publications

Research Highlights

Conn, C., Thomas, D., Knight, C., Greenway, C., & Formby, L. (2024). Learner experiences of low attainment groups in the context of a rights approach to education. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 0, 1-17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2024.2311640, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65976

All Research

Journal Articles

Conn, C., Thomas, D., Knight, C., Greenway, C., & Formby, L. (2024). Learner experiences of low attainment groups in the context of a rights approach to education. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 0, 1-17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2024.2311640, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65976

Supervision

Untitled (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Ms Gilly Adams
The Current Context of Autism in Saudi Arabia’s Public School. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Michelle Brinn

Taught Modules

ED-M02 Additional learning needs, Excellence in Practice

This module will focus on leading whole-setting approaches to Additional Learning Needs. The module will require students to reflect on how change can be implemented to improve inclusive education across their settings. Students will deconstruct examples of best practice and reflect on how these may be applied to their own setting. Students will gain understanding of how they can lead positive change in their settings to enhance inclusive practice. Students will develop the skills needed to show excellence in practice as an ALNCo.
ED-M09 Inclusive Classroom Practice

This module will allow students to engage in the key debates around Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and inclusion in the classroom. The module will combine theories of ALN with research on best practice. Students will use up-to-date theory and debate to think critically about ALN in Wales and how it applies practically in the classrooms from school through to further education (FE). Therefore, students will gain a well-rounded understanding of both theory and practice in ALN. The students will develop the ability to think critically about the current discourse and apply their knowledge to classroom practice. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to collaborate and share best practice in the field of ALN and inclusion.
ED-M10 Leadership and Management of ALN

This module will focus on the coaching and leadership skills required to be an effective ALNCo under the ALNET. The module and will require detailed reflection on areas of personal strength and areas for development. Case study scenarios will be used to explore the functions and responsibilities of the Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) in relation to children, families and inter-professional working. Students will be required to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of appropriate setting wide intervention strategies to support those with ALN.
ED-M20 Responding to the Effects of Poverty and Disadvantage in Education

Over a third of children and young people live in Wales are living in poverty today. Poverty and disadvantage impacts on the lives of pupils, students, families, staff and communities. This module aims to develop students¿ understanding of poverty and disadvantage, and how these impact on learning and development. It feeds in to radical changes in ongoing changes to educational policy in Wales. This module will allow students to critically reflect on their own experiences and how they personally perceive poverty and disadvantage. Students will be asked to critically reflect on the ways in which their educational settings measure learning and development and whether this supports the ongoing issues related to poverty and disadvantage. Finally, this module supports students to be creative in their approach in supporting learners in their chosen educational setting and the barriers they may face along the way, thus enabling them to think about new ways of working in Wales.
ED-M21 Curriculum Leadership and Innovation

This module explores theories of leadership and innovation with specific focus on the Curriculum for Wales. Students will critically evaluate different approaches to leadership and apply those theories to their own professional settings and contexts. Furthermore, the context of leadership within the Curriculum for Wales will be explored with emphasis on understanding dispersed leadership and management of Areas of Learning and Experience with reference to teacher agency and responsibility. The module will also draw upon key philosophical and theoretical debates regarding pedagogical theory and allow students to explore their application within their own educational settings and contexts. Additionally, the module will draw upon innovative strategies for curriculum, design, implementation and management and allow students to reflect on their application within heir own educational settings and contexts.
EDN203 Additional Learning Needs

This module considers how additional learning needs (ALN) and special educational needs (SEN) are defined within legislation, statutory regulations and guidance. Current ALN/SEN policy and practice is explored. Implications of divergence in practice between Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom are considered. The module provides an opportunity to study the prevalence, etiology and management of a range of ALN/SEN. Contentious ALN/SEN related issues are highlighted and discussed.
EDPM19 Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion

This module will allow students to engage in the key debates around Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and inclusion. Students will use up-to-date theory and debate to think critically about ALN both in Wales and internationally. The module will combine theories of ALN with research on best practice. Therefore, students will gain a well-rounded understanding of both theory and practice in ALN. The module will be structured around three main topics: Inclusion, ALN policy and best practice in ALN. For each area the students will develop the ability to think critically about the current discourse and apply their knowledge to working with people with ALN in educational contexts.

Career History

Secondary School Geography Teacher, Wales

1996 - 2004
KS2 - KS4 Behaviour Support Teacher, Wales

2004 - 2014
Senior Lecturer in Education (ALN), Wrexham University

2015 - 2022

Other Roles

External Examiner, Middlesex University

2020 - 2024
External Examiner, Staffordshire University

2017 - 2021
External Examiner, Teesside University

2016 - 2019

Dr Dai Thomas

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Supervision

Untitled (current)

The Current Context of Autism in Saudi Arabia’s Public School. (current)

Taught Modules

ED-M02 Additional learning needs, Excellence in Practice

ED-M09 Inclusive Classroom Practice

ED-M10 Leadership and Management of ALN

ED-M20 Responding to the Effects of Poverty and Disadvantage in Education

ED-M21 Curriculum Leadership and Innovation

EDN203 Additional Learning Needs

EDPM19 Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion

Career History

Secondary School Geography Teacher, Wales

KS2 - KS4 Behaviour Support Teacher, Wales

Senior Lecturer in Education (ALN), Wrexham University

Other Roles

External Examiner, Middlesex University

External Examiner, Staffordshire University

External Examiner, Teesside University