Researching school leadership, career related learning and STEM
12 January 2012
Research aim
The aim of the research is to identify which factors shape senior leadership team decisions with regards to STEM career related learning in schools. We want to find out how schools plan and manage their career related learning and how that might influence pupils' knowledge of the wide range of STEM careers and their progression routes.The research will examine:
- How is STEM career related learning managed and prioritised in schools?
- How is careers information, advice and guidance being commissioned in schools following the Education Act 2011?
- Is career related learning integrated with STEM curriculum delivery?
- How are STEM enhancement and enrichment activities co-ordinated?
- Does community engagement, including the business and learning provider communities have a role to play?
- How is staff CPD managed in this area and what is the take up of related CPD activities (such as on-line learning modules for both careers staff and subject teachers)?
- What is the role of initial teacher training in STEM career related learning?
Your involvement
We are asking schools to get involved. Your involvement will be to host a case study of your school involving:
- Meetings with the head of school and / or member of the senior leadership team together with meetings with other key members of staff and governors
- The meeting to take place at a date at your convenience before March 14th 2012
- A case study to be written up by the researchers and agreed with the head of school or other senior contact, the school will be named in reports, although individual responses will not be attributed.
- Follow up telephone interview one year on - in spring 2013.
The research will be published by the National STEM Centre.
More information
To find out more contact Michele Jones, STEM Careers Project Officer, at the National STEM Centre on 01904 328397; Email: m.jones@nationalstemcentre.org.uk
Alternatively contact the research team; Jo Hutchinson, School of Education and Social Sciences, University of Derby; on 01332 591367 or j.hutchinson@derby.ac.uk
