Ruth Heilbronn is Lecturer at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK. She is a specialist in teacher education and the philosophy of education. Her previous roles have included Subject Leader for the PGCE Modern Foreign Languages, Team Leader for PGCE Professional Studies, and Module Leader for the Masters of Teaching. Further she has wide experience of senior management in urban secondary schools, including responsibility for continuing professional development and has led modern foreign languages teams as a Head of Department and LEA advisor.