Staff profile

After completing a degree in Education at Durham University in 1975, Professor Newton began working as a primary teacher in the North East of England. She completed her MA in Education at Durham University in 1981. Following a fellowship in science education, she worked for Durham Local Education Authority as an Advisory Teacher for Science. In 1987, she moved to the University of Newcastle as first a Lecturer in Primary Science and Design and Technology, and then a Senior Lecturer and Director of Primary Initial Teacher Training. During that time she became a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of School and also completed her PhD on the topic of Teachers’ Questioning for Understanding in Primary Science: An Approach through Mental Model Theory. She stayed at Newcastle for ten years before moving to Durham in 1997, initially as Course Leader of for the new specialist degree in science education for primary teachers based at the University’s Stockton Campus. Later she became Programme Director for the Primary PGCE in Durham, then Divisional Director of Initial Teacher Training and from 2005-2010, Head of the School of Education. After research leave in 2010/11 she returned to the role of Divisional Director for ITE. She is currently Head of the School of Education. She has taught on a range of science and education modules across the School of Education on undergraduate and higher degree programmes, and supervised dissertation and theses students researching a range of topics. She became Professor of Primary Education in 2003.

Professor Newton’s research interests range from effective communication in science and strategies that support teaching for understanding in science to exploring understanding, enagagement and creativity across the curriculum. She has researched teaching for understanding across the primary curriculum and the use of analogical reasoning to support the construction of understanding, and most recently teaching for creativity and productive thought. This is the focus of her book, Creativity for a new Curriculum: 5-11 (Routledge, 2012). She has written, edited or co-authored over a dozen books on science teaching, primary teaching and professional studies in the primary school. She has also written over one hundred academic and professional papers on these areas. Her research monograph, From Creative Thinking to Productive Thought (ICIE: Paris, 2013) presented a model for incorporating creative thinking into a wider framework of productive thought. Her keynote presentation at the ICIE conference in Krakow (2015) resulted in her latest monograph, Questioning: A Window on Productive Thinking. She is currently a member of the University's Durham Commission, reporting on creativity.

Completed Supervisions (since 2008)

The provision of nursery education in England and Wales to 1967 with special reference to North-East England

How do teachers' beliefs affect the implementation of inquiry-based learning in the PGS Curriculum? A case study of two primary schools in Hong Kong.

Can Information in Children’s Drawings Inform Teachers’ Practices? A Study of Singaporean Pre-school Teachers’ “Reading” of 5-6 year olds’ Drawings.

An examination of how the theory-practice relationship of pedagogy courses is conceived and perceived by the participants, and how management of education systems and faculties can enhance the quality of teacher education in Turkey

The Selection of Potential Undergraduate Students who Lack Traditional Qualifications: is a toolkit possible?

A case study on exploring the motivation and engagement of the
less academically inclined students in a Specialised School in Singapore

Engaging Children in Question Asking for Problem Finding to Encourage Creative Thinking in Primary School Science Teaching

Information for prospective doctoral research student supervisions

Lynn would welcome applications from prospective doctorate students on:
* primary and middle school science education;
* effective communication in science/ primary schools;
* teachers' questioning and explaining in science/ primary schools;
* teaching for understanding;
* creativity and productive thinking; and’
* concepts of engagement.

• Primary/ Middle School Science Education
• Questioning and Communicating for Effective Teaching and Learning
• Creativity and Productive Thought
• Engagement in Primary/ Middle School Curricula

• Durham Commission on Creativity
• LEGO
• Notions of Creative Thinking in Higher Education in Different Disciplines

• 2019: Notions of Creative Thinking in Higher Education in Different Disciplines(£21500.00 from )
• 2013: LEGO(£41239.67 from European Commission)

• 2016: Visiting Professor: Appointed Visiting professor at Northumbria University – 3 year appointment (2016-2019):
• 2013: Best Research Paper: Paper lodged in the San Francisco University Library of the Best Research Papers in each field in the last decade:

  Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2009) What teacher see as creative incidents in elementary science lessons, International Journal of Science Education, 32(15), 1989-2005. ;ISSN 0950-0693 & 1464-5289. ;DOI: 1080/09500690903233249

• 2013: International Editorial Review Board: Professor Newton is one the International Editorial Review Board of the new journal 'International Journal for Talent Development and Creativity'
• 2011: Visiting Professor: Appointed Visiting Professor at Nottingham Trent University ;- 3 year appointment (2011-2014)
• 2009: Best Practice Case Study: Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2009) a problem-based learning approach to developing lesson planning skills in primary science, Teacher Development Agency Best Practice Case Studies. ;
• 2009: International Editorial Review Board: Professor Lynn Newton is a member of the Gifted and Talented International Editorial Review Board (2009-2013)

Authored book

• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2018). Making Purposeful Thought Productive. ICIE, International Centre for Innovation in Education.
• Newton, L.D. (2000). Meeting the Standards in Primary Science. Routledge.

Book review

• Newton, L.D. (2013). New perspectives in primary education: meaning and purpose in learning and teaching. Cambridge Journal of Education 43(1): 145-146.
• Newton, L.D. (2010). Creativity in Science and Science Education: A response to Ghassib. Gifted and Talented International 25(1): 105-109.

Chapter in book

• Ward, S. & Newton, L.D. (2012). 'Creativity is our Hope': A wider perspective on creativity. In Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Newton, L.D. Routledge. 120-130.
• Newton, D.P., Donkin, H., Kokotsaki, D. & Newton, L.D. (2012). Creativity in Art and Music. In Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Newton, L.D. Routledge. 62-79.
• Newton, L.D. & Waugh, D. (2012). Creativity in English. In Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Newton, L.D. Routledge. 19-35.
• Newton, L.D. (2012). Teaching for Creative Learning. In Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Newton, L.D. Routledge. 131-139.
• Newton, L.D. (2012). Introduction. In Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Newton, L.D. Routledge.
• Newton, L.D. (2012). Creativity in Science and Design and Technology. In Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Newton, L.D. Routledge. 48-61.
• Newton, L.D. (2011). Kreativitat fur alle in elementarer naturwissenschaftlicher (Creativity for all in Elementary Science). In Sachunterricht fur alle Kinder (Elementary Science for all children). Geist, H., Kaiser, A. & Schomaker, C. Klinkhardt. 133-144.
• Newton, L.D. (2009). Improving Primary Science Teaching. In Understanding Primary Science. Science Knowledge for Teaching. Wenham, M. & Ovens, P. Sage. xiii-xvii.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2008). A problem-based approach to training elementary teachers to plan science lessons. In Teachers and Teaching: Strategies, Innovations and Problem Solving. Ollington, G.F. Nova Science Publishers. 54-74.
• D.P. Newton, L.D. Newton, A. Blake & K. Brown (2002). Is understanding a priority in elementary science teaching? In Progress in Educational Research. Nova Science. 6: 139-154.

Conference Paper

• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2009), Conceptions of Creativity in Elementary School Science, Excellence in Educatin 2008: Future Minds and Creativity. Paris, Descartes, Paris.

Edited book

• Newton, L.D. (2012). Creativity for a New Curriculum: 5-11. Routledge.
• E. English & L. Newton (2005). Professional Studies in the Primary School. David Fulton.
• Eve English & Lynn Newton (2005). Teachers as Professionals: The Background. David Fulton.
• Newton, L.D. (2005). Meeting the standards in secondary science: A guide to the ITT NC. Meeting the Standards. Routledge.
• Newton, L.D. (2002). Teaching for Understanding across the Primary Curriculum. Multilingual Matters.

Journal Article

• Newton, D.P., Wang, Y. & Newton, L. (2022). ‘Allowing them to dream’ fostering creativity in mathematics undergraduates. Journal of Further and Higher Education 46(10): 1334-1346.
• Rees, S. W. & Newton D. P. (2021). The Creative Sciences. School Science Review 382: 57-62.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2020). Fostering creative thinking in a digital world. The International Journal of Talent Development and Creativity 8(1 & 2): 19-28.
• Newton, P. & Newton, L. (2019). When Robots Teach: Towards a Code of Practice. Research Journal / Journal de recherches 5: 80-86.
• Newton, D. & Newton, L. (2019). Humanoid robots as teachers and a proposed code of practice. Frontiers in Education 4: 125.
• Rees, S.W., Kind, V. & Newton, D. (2019). Meeting the Challenge of Chemical Language Barriers in University Level Chemistry Education. Israel Journal of Chemistry 58(6-7): 470-477.
• Newton, D. P., Newton, L.D. & Abrams, P. (2018). A study of children’s classroom questions in relation to elementary science teaching. International Journal for Talent Development and Creativity 6(1-2): 39-50.
• Davies, L. Newton, D.P. & Newton, L. (2018). Teachers’ pedagogies and strategies of engagement. International Journal for Talent Development and Creativity 6(1-2): 169-180.
• Moreton, I.S., Newton, D.P., Newton, L.D. & Mathias, J. (2017). The Selection of Potential Undergraduate Students who Lack Customary Academic Qualifications: is a toolkit possible? Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning 19(3): 64-84.
• Davies, L., Newton, D. & Newton, L. (2017). Creativity as a Twenty-First-Century Competence: An Exploratory Study of Provision and Reality. Education 3-13 46(7): 879-891.
• Ferrari, D., Kokotsaki, D., Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2017). How can the understanding of analysis of sonata form movements be deepened by the use of graphic representation? The Journal of Music and Meaning 14: 1-20.
• Parton, A., Newton, D. P. & Newton, L. (2017). The implementation of object-centred learning through the visual arts: Engaging students in creative, problem-based learning. The International Journal of Education through Art 13(2): 147-162.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2014). Creativity in 21st-Century Education. PROSPECTS: Quarterly Review of Comparative Education 44(4): 575-589.
• Newton, L.D. (2013). Teachers' Questions: can they support understanding and higher-level thinking? Research Journal 1(Feb 2013): 6-17.
• Newton, L. & Beverton, S (2012). Pre-service teachers’ conceptions of creativity in elementary school English. Thinking Skills and Creativity 7(3): 165-176.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2011). Engaging science: pre-service primary school teachers' notions of engaging science lessons. International Journal of Science & Mathematics Education 9(2): 327-345.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2010). Creative Thinking and Teaching for Creativity in Elementary School Science. Gifted and Talented International 25(2): 111-124.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2010). What teachers see as creative incidents in elementary science lessons. International Journal of Science Education 32(15): 1989-2005
• Blake, A., Edwards, G., Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2010). Some student teachers' conceptions of creativity in primary school history. International Journal of Historical Learning, Teaching and Research 9(2): 15-24.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2009). Knowledge development at the time of use: a problem-based approach to lesson planning in primary teacher training in a low knowledge, low skill context. Educational Studies 35(3): 311-321.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2009). A Procedure for Assessing Textbook Support for Reasoned Thinking. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher 18(1): 109-115.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2009). Some student teachers' conceptions of creativity in school science. Research in Science & Technological Education 27(1): 45-60.
• Bolden, D.S. & Newton, L.D. (2008). Primary teachers' epistemological beliefs: some perceived barriers to investigative teaching in primary mathematics. Educational Studies 34(5): 419-432.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2007). Can RE textbooks help you teach for understanding the primary school? REtoday 25(1).
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2007). An analysis of primary technology textbooks: can they support cause and purpose explanations? Research in Science and Technological Education 25(2): 199-210.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2006). Could elementary mathematics textbooks help give attention to reasons in the classroom? Educational Studies in Mathematics
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2006). To what extent can children's geography books help a primary school teacher explain cause and purpose? International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 15(1): 29-40.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2006). Could elementary textbooks serve as models of practice to help new teachers and non-specialists attend to reasoning in music? Music Education Research 8(1): 3-16.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2006). Can explanations in children's books help teachers foster reason-based understandings in religious education in primary schools? British Journal of Religious Education 28(3): 225-234.
• Lynn D. Newton & Douglas P. Newton (2005). Thinking about Art: Could Elementary Textbooks Serve as Models of Practice to Help New Teachers and Non Specialists Support Reasoning in Art? The International Journal of Art & Design Education 24(3): 315-324.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2005). Can elementary textbooks help teachers teach Physical Education for understanding? International Journal of Physical Education 42(1): 26-35.
• Blake, A., Newton, L.D., Newton, D.P. & Brown, K. (2003). But why did Guy Fawkes try to blow up the king, Miss? Primary History 34: 11-14.
• L.D. Newton (2003). The Occurrence of Analogies in Elementary School Science Books. Instructional Science 31(6): 353-375.
• Blake, A., Newton, L.D., Newton, D.P. & Brown, K. (2003). Do primary history books show a concern for explanatory understanding? Westminster Studies in Education 26(2): 149-159.
• Newton, L.D., Newton, D.P. & Blake, A. (2002). Understanding in primary school science teaching. Investigating Australian primary science journal 18(1): 11-13.
• L.D. Newton (2002). Questions That Help Children Understand Elementary Science. Investigating 18(2): 6-9.
• Roberts, S., Amiel, S., Beveridge, S., Bradley, C., Gianfransesco, C., Heller, S., James, P., Mckeown, N., Newton, D.P., Newton, L.D., Oliver, L., Reid, H., Robson, S., Rollingson, J., Scott, V., Speight, J., Taylor, C., Thompson, G., Turner, E. & Wright, F. (2002). Training in flexible, intensive insulin management to enable dietary freedom in people with type 1 diabetes: dose adjustement for nomrmal eating (DAFNE) randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal 325: 746-752.
• Newton, L.D., Newton, D.P., Blake, A. & Brown, K. (2002). Do primary school science books for children show a concern for explanatory understanding? Research in Science & Technological Education 20(2): 227-240.
• L.D. Newton (2001). Encouraging Historical Understanding in the Primary Classroom. Evaluation and Research in Education 15(3): 182-88.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2001). Subject Content Knowledge and Teacher Talk in the Primary Science Classroom. European Journal of Teacher Education 24(3): 369-379.
• Douglas P. Newton & Lynn D. Newton (2001). Choosing and judging teachers: What Heads and student teachers think matters. Research in Education 66(November): 54-64.
• L.D. Newton (2001). Teaching for Understanding in Primary Science. Evaluation and Research in Education 15(3): 143-53.
• D.P. Newton & L.D. Newton (2001). What primary school student-teachers and head teachers think matters when choosing and judging a teacher. Research in Education 66: 54-64.

Monograph

• Newton, L. (2017). Questioning: A Window on Productive Thinking. Ulm: International Centre for Innovation in Education (ICIE).
• Newton, L.D. (2013). From Teaching for Creative Thinking to Teaching for Productive Thought: An approach for elementary school teachers. International Centre for Innovation in Education (ICIE).

Report

• James, S.J., Houston, A., Newton, L., Daniels, S., Morgan, N., Coho, W., Ruck, A. & Lucas, B. (2019). Durham Commission on Creativity and Education. Arts Council UK.
• Newton, L.D. & Newton, D.P. (2009). A problem based learning approach to developing lesson planning skills in primary science. London, Teacher Development Agency.
• Newton, L.D., Newton, D.P. & Sambell, F. (2006). How to Assess Structured Diabetes Education: An improvement toolkit for commissioners and local diabetes communities. Joint Department of Health, National Diabetes Support Team and Diabetes UK initiative.
• Newton, D.P. & Newton, L.D. (2005). Reviewing Education Courses on The Self Management of Diabetes. Research Study for Diabetes UK and the NHS.
• Newton, L.D., Newton, D.P. & Sambell, F. (2001). Training the Trainers: a report on the DAFNE Project.