The development of research activity in Schools of Ambition

In 2006 a team of university-based researchers from Glasgow, Strathclyde and Aberdeen was commissioned to provide research support to the Government's designated Schools of Ambition.

The team is now working with all 52 such schools, seeking to help teachers and other staff in these schools to develop a systematic research-based approach to the evaluation of particular aspects of the implementation of their 'Transformational Plans'.

The researchers have also been gathering data concerning the experiences of those involved in the schools and their communities in order to gain insight to the effects of this way of working on school development.

The presentation will offer an account of the wide range of approaches to undertaking research activity that have been adopted in the schools and will report on the impact and influences that the work has been having, both in school culture and on individuals' professional development.

The conclusion of the presentation will suggest that the research development work being undertaken within the Schools of Ambition programme is but one example of current education policy developments that provide a significant driver for the development of teacher professionalism and the possible forging of a new occupational identity for teachers in Scotland.

Research to Support Schools of Ambition Annual Report 2007

The three presenters have been collaborating on the project 'Research to Support Schools of Ambition'.

Moira Hulme is Co-ordinator of the team of university research mentors working on the project.
Her previous experiences include teacher education for the secondary and post-compulsory sectors.

Dr Deirdre Kelly works as the Scottish Government's Research Co-ordinator for the Schools of Ambition and liaises between the research mentor team, senior advisers for the Schools of Ambition and the schools themselves.

Professor Ian Menter is the Director of the university-based research team.
He is Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Education at the University of Glasgow, with oversight of research activity.

His earlier studies include work on teacher working time, supply teachers and the evaluation of professional development programmes for headteachers.