Penny Ann Munn
International Scholar and first Chair of the Mathematics Recovery Council of UK
and Ireland
The Mathematics Recovery Programme has lost a distinguished and valued
colleague in Dr Penny Munn, who died of cancer on 1st June 2011.
Penny was born in Bristol on 22nd July, 1953, the second of Alan and Vicky Munn's
five children. As a young child she travelled with her family to South Africa where
she completed her primary and secondary education.
In her late teens she returned to England and gained her degree and doctorate.
She began her academic career as a Research assistant to Prof. Judy Dunn at
Cambridge University's MRC Unit of the Development and Integration of Behaviour.
In 1989 she moved to the Psychology Dept of Strathclyde University. After a brief
period at the University of Central Lancashire she returned to the Department of
Primary Education at Strathclyde where she led research and began to focus on
Early Years literacy and numeracy. She became Editor of the International Journal of
Early Years Education and oversaw the expansion, quality and scope of the
publication. Her editorials spoke to teachers, researchers and policy-makers with
gravitas and wisdom.
Following her work in the evaluation of Interactions between School Systems and
Reading Recovery Programmes based on evidence from Northern Ireland Penny
turned her attention to the assessment, intervention and teaching programme of
Mathematics Recovery. She was aware of the course of study at Liverpool University
and was keen to establish a Post-graduate Certificate Course at Strathclyde, but first
she had to become a student on the first training course under the tutelage of Prof.
Robert Wright and Jim Martland. Every aspect of the fieldwork with the young
Glaswegian children was captured on videotape and the resultant viewing and
analysis saw Penny contribute clear, sensible and interesting advice from her
expertise in early childhood development whilst in turn being supported her
colleagues and drawing from their pedagogical skills. These initial and sometimes
daunting experiences, allowed the trainers and participants to bond and form
friendships which endure to this day.
Penny was instrumental in expanding and developing Mathematics Recovery in
Scotland and established local networks and distance learning so that all schools
had the potential to avail themselves of the programme. She hosted the first UK and
Ireland conference in the delightful setting of Ross Priory on the shores of Loch
Lomond and was elected inaugural chair of the Mathematics Recovery Council.
Simultaneously she was developing the Post-graduate programme and supervising
research in early numeracy at Strathclyde and overseeing the expansion of the
programmes of training to meet the differing needs of local authorities in England
and Wales and a centralised system in Ireland. This was a most demanding task
which she never shirked.
As chair of the MRC, Penny encouraged a questioning and collaborative
approach between teachers, teacher trainers and academics on the Council. She
was a tireless advocate of constructivist approaches to children’s learning. She
believed that if teachers strive to understand each child’s course of development
and to give them the right learning opportunities, then all children will enjoy success.
She made heavy demands on her time, energy and skills and in turn expected much
from others. This often led to lively debate where she could be a formidable
opponent but through it all she was always clear sighted and balanced.
Her sharp mind and vision of the benefits of the work for all children led to her to be
an invited keynote speaker at international, early numeracy conferences and to
contribute specific chapters to the Mathematics Recovery publications. In 2007 she
co-edited with Dr. Rea Reason, a special edition of the Journal of Educational and
Child Psychology which focused on underachievement.
Penny was passionate about many things, especially the natural and built
environment. She fought tirelessly on the Cumbernauld Amenities Trust and The
Cumbernauld Village Action for the Community. She renovated her house and
landscaped and tended her beautiful garden.
Penny was diagnosed with terminal cancer almost two years ago. She faced her
illness with great courage and a stoicism that had been evident from childhood. She
died peacefully and with great dignity. Throughout her life Penny gave of her time
and talents to all she came in contact with. She leaves us with a tremendous legacy
of her research papers and publications but most of all of how she was such a
positive influence on teachers and students both at home and abroad. No teacher
could want for more. We will miss such a warm, kindly and thoughtful friend.
Jim Martland and Ruth Willey
July 2011