Dr John Mynott

Biography

I joined the School of Education in 2020 following a successful career as a Primary School teacher and Headteacher. I have taught across the primary age range, and have a passion for teaching languages, the creative/ expressive arts, interdisciplinary learning and playfulness. Throughout my career in schools, I have sought to involve pupils in creative and inspiring projects, often working in collaboration with partner organisations to help pupils learn about singing, puppet making and dance. I believe in well-structured, diverse and inclusive curriculums.

I was Head of the Initial Teacher Education department from April 2020 - June 2025. I actively research teacher education and work closely with colleagues and schools to explore how we can continue to develop teacher education and support high-quality practice. In my leadership role I have led on innovations to programme design and to widen access to teaching. 

Since 2024 I have held the position of Dean of Portfolio and Programme Development. This role builds on my passion for curriculums and I work collaboratively across the University to support programme development and review. 

My research focuses on two key areas curriculum and collaboration. I am curious about andragogy, professional learning and helping individuals learn more about their own practice. I am particularly interested in how collaborations can be considered, developed and maintained to support professional learning overtime.

Prizes and Awards

Highly Commended Paper 'Lesson Study Outcomes: A theoretical model' 2020 Emerald Literati Awards (November 2020)

Research Overview

How collaboration occurs – when it goes well and when it does not go well – is a particular area of interest in my current research. This exploration is currently formed of three strands of my research activity: Lesson Study; Professional Learning over time and Facilitation.

Lesson Study as a method of collaboration is a primary aspect of my research. I have explored Lesson Study cycles in different schools and contexts and am interested in how Lesson Study has a diverse interpretation and how this interpretation can impact on the outcomes of the collaboration.

What do we mean by Professional Learning? When does Professional Learning occur? These are key questions which frame my enquiries into thinking about the Professional Learning of teachers with a particular interest in knowing if learning changes and develops practice over time.

As I have researched collaborative learning, I have noted differing outcomes and the role of a facilitator has appeared important to some of these differences. Exploring the ways facilitators work and how they can impact on outcomes in collaboration is the third strand of my current research interests.

I also have a strong interest in digital collaborations, how we learn in digital contexts and what helps us learn when we are in digital collaborations. This has involved me working on international projects with colleagues in the United States and Europe exploring how digital collaborations can support learning overtime. 

Current Research

My current research is exploring the recording and development of Professional Learning over time. This frames learning at the end of a collaboration as potential learning, that is used or not in the participants’ careers. Currently, I am exploring the factors that aid and hinder the development of this learning and why these vary depending on individuals and contexts. The practical applications of this work will be in supporting more effective collaboration and Professional Learning to take place in the future.

Within the identification of factors that impact on potential learning, I am also exploring how facilitators can mitigate and overcome possible barriers in Professional Learning. I am exploring how facilitators can work, what they respond to and how they interact with different participants to understand facilitations in more detail.

Collaborations

I am currently collaborating with colleagues in Texas on professional learning in schools and how this supports the development of interdisciplinary learning. 

I am the principal investigator working on a teacher education project which is capturing the stories of teacher educators from five European countries. 

I am working with a colleague in Germany, looking at quality within Lesson Study and how we can use this to consider improvements to lesson study projects and research.