Rich insights from Essex Research Practitioners

A range of Essex teachers and headteachers have just completed their Masters in School Improvement. This is a Masters programme rung jointly by Essex Local Authority and the University of Cambridge. These research reports give concise summaries of powerful investigations carried out. They also provide readers with useful quotes and guidance to build on these enquiries.

Building Schools for the Future in Essex

TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS - TRANSFORMING LIVES

Name: Cheryl Bearman

Research question: The Graduate Teacher Programme: A case study of trainees’ perspectives of their learning journeys to gain Qualified Teacher Status

Brief summary of research: This research investigates the perspectives and practices of initial teacher trainees at James Hornsby on the GTP. View word doc

Name: Emmanuelle Carme

Research question: How can language learning strategies be introduced to primary pupils?

Brief summary of research: This research investigates how strategy instruction can be implemented, focusing on developing pupils’ listening skills. View word doc

Name: Janelle Balderson

Research question: How does the implementation of teaching thinking skills impact on practices of classroom teachers?

Brief summary of research: This research investigates the pedagogy and pedagogical changes involved in teaching thinking skills in a Junior school. It centres on a Year 3 class and a Year 5 class focusing on the classroom teachers and the researcher as they implement thinking strategies across all curriculum areas. View word doc

Name: Karen Pembroke

Research question: Gaining a fuller insight into the understandings and practices of developing a Thinking Skills programme within Key Stage 3: an Action Research project in a secondary mixed comprehensive.

Brief summary of research: This research investigates a series of thinking skill interventions within two subject areas to gain an understanding from staff and pupils on this topic and whether opportunities for higher order thinking skills are presented.View word doc

Name: Martha Higgins

Research question: Technology based games and learning

Brief summary of research: What do children know about the learning processes and skills that are embedded in computer and video games? View word doc

Name: Tracy McKenzie-Bell

Research question: How do teachers develop skills and strategies for observing pupils’ learning?

Brief summary of research: This research is interventionist case study involving Lesson Study. It explores how teachers observe pupils learn in the classroom and how they expect their practices to change as a result of their observations. The aim is to find out what school conditions support or constrain teachers to develop the skills and strategies for observing pupils’ learn. View word doc

Name: Debra Bull

Research question: How do leaders construe challenging circumstances? What leadership practices do leaders in schools in difficult contexts use and develop? How do different leadership practices contribute to the development of improvement strategies in schools in difficult contexts?

Brief summary of research: This research investigates how the context of a school influences the practices of senior leaders, particularly schools in challenging contexts. The focus is on headteachers and deputy headteachers and how they understand the challenges that their school faces and the practices that they use and develop to address these challenges.View word doc

Name: Iris Cerny

Research question: What is the official model of effective leadership? What are the professional orientations of teachers and leaders in relation to effective leadership? Are professional orientations stable over time?

Brief summary of research: This thesis is an exploration of leadership qualities and practices that promote school improvement. In particular, using a case study approach, it explores my role as a Head Teacher in Junior school in challenging circumstances.View word doc

Name: Jason Carey

Research question: School self-evaluation – what’s in it for middle leaders? An investigation into school self-evaluation processes and impacts: the perspectives of middle leaders.

Brief summary of research: The study explores middle leader perceptions about self-evaluation processes and reports on an intervention aimed at empowering heads of faculty as they take ownership of and engage in self-evaluation with their teams. The processes and interactions of using and reflecting on the intervention tool were analysed through the lens of an activity system. View word doc

Name: Mark Abbott

Research question: Middle leadership in a large primary school

Brief summary of research: This research explores the impact of middle leadership and leadership styles on school improvement and pupil outcomes. The thesis involves a review of relevant literature, methodology, implications and reflection on the tensions and findings related to a large primary school. View word doc

Name: Susan Honeycombe

Research question: How do scaffolding frameworks support children’s planning for scientific inquiry and develop procedural understanding?

Brief summary of research: This research assesses the extent to which scaffolding frameworks enable children to productively carry out planning for scientific inquiry and how these frameworks support the development and deepening of procedural understanding. It also explores whether scaffolding enables all children to engage actively in planning scientific investigations. View word doc