Creating a Research Culture in school

The National Teacher Research Panel was set up about 15 years ago by CUREE supported by a group of national education agencies most of which no longer exist. It had three main goals:

  • To ensure that all research in education takes account of the teacher perspective
  • To ensure a higher profile for research and evidence informed practice in government, academic and practitioner communities
  • To increase the number of teachers engaged in and with the full spectrum of research activity.

Over the several years of its existence, the Panel, supported by its expert advisers in CUREE, has helped and encouraged dozens of teachers and school leaders to do high quality but practical research. The Panel also helped them report their findings succinctly, in plain English and focused on relevance to other practitioners. This is one such example of that work.

Author: 
Arrowsmith, Judy and Hay, Sue
Aim: Our simple aim is to improve teaching and learning in our school. The purpose of this initiative at St Georges School for Girls, Edinburgh was: To bring about a change of attitude in our school so that research is viewed as an essential part of professional practice (no more closet researchers!); To provide information about current research opportunities; To radiate enthusiasm and inspire staff to gather robust data as a foundation for decisions and action; To provide encouragement and appropriate support for both students and staff as researchers; and To celebrate completed studies and discuss implications for improved practice.
File attachments: 
PDF icon Download (2.89 MB)
Document section: