1. Research in the School of Education newsletter
RiSE Autumn 2011
Exhibiting
‘Research that
Matters’ in the heart
of Government
Indian Schools Community project
Full report on page 5
New Research Centre facilities
Also inside: PhD news, Forthcoming research conferences, European research projects

2. Contents
Exhibiting ‘Research that
Matters’ in the heart of
Government .......................3
Forthcoming research
conferences ........................3
Researcher profile:
Sheena Bell .........................4
European research
projects ...............................4
Paper to be delivered
Down Under .......................4
Indian Schools
Community project ...........5
Welcoming Yumy to
the team..............................6
New Research Centre
facilities ...............................6
Welcome
PhD News ...........................7
The School of Education
Research Forum ................7
PhD student support
Another academic year is now well underway. With it
group meetings .................7
have come new challenges for the research community
PhD training days..............7 in all universities.
Inaugural visiting The need to provide value-for-money has always been apparent in research
professor lecture – undertakings. But to do this when budgets are being squeezed and other
Professor John Visser ........8 resources are similarly diminished requires a great sense of innovation and
commitment.
The School of Education is demonstrating these qualities in its ongoing efforts
in research and enquiry. A new purpose-designed suite for our PhD students
has been opened, new projects are either being planned or inaugurated and
a programme of support activity for staff and students is continually being
refined and expanded. The energy and commitment of all those involved in either
undertaking or supporting research activity is a key element in making these into
the successes that are reported in RiSE.
The present issue comprises the usual diverse range of practice-related research
If you would like to be featured in future
activity. This illustrates the range of our involvement, as well as the status with
editions of this publication, or would like
more information, please email which our partners and contractors outside the University have come to view us.
education@northampton.ac.uk So, we carry reports on staff involvement in projects in South India and mainland
Written and produced by The University of
Europe, as well as the work we are undertaking closer to home. Aspiring Doctoral
Northampton’s School of Education and candidates will find the account of Corallie Murray’s research to be invigorating
Marketing and External Relations Department. and an object lesson in exploring a research topic which is of direct relevance
All submissions are the property of RiSE
within our region.
newsletter. Content © 2011 The University of As with previous editions of RiSE, what is contained here is a synopsis of just
Northampton, School of Education.
some of the things we have achieved and will continue to strive for in educational
Editor Pam Cormack research here at The University of Northampton. As Editor I really ought to be
pam.cormack@northampton.ac.uk
demanding more pages so that justice can be properly done to vibrant research
Thanks to all The University of Northampton’s culture that now prevails within the School of Education.
staff and School of Education partners who
contributed to this newsletter. Professor Philip Garner
2 l RiSE l Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education l Email education@northampton.ac.uk

3. caption Forthcoming
research
conferences
International Society
for the Social Studies
Annual Conference
Orlando Florida, USA
1-2 March 2012
www.TheISSS.org
CICE (Canada International
Conference on Education)
Toronto, Canada
22-26 of April 2012
www.ciceducation.org
AERA (American Educational
Research Association) Annual
Conference
Vancouver, Canada
13-17 April 2012
www.aera.net
Exhibiting ‘Research that Matters’ in International Conference on
the heart of Government the Future of Education
Florence, Italy
By Saneeya Qureshi 7-8 June 2012
www.pixel-online.net/edu_future2012
As a research student in the School of Education, I was International Conference:
delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit my research A Child’s World – Working
Together for a Better Future
in the House of Commons at the Million+ launch of 27-29 June 2012
‘Research That Matters’ on 17 May 2011. Aberystwyth University, Wales
www.aber.ac.uk/en/sell/news-
The ‘Million+’ Group of universities (of was to elicit comments and questions events/a-childs-world-conference
which The University of Northampton regarding my research design and BELMAS (British Educational
is a member) launched ‘Research that proposed methodology. Leadership Management
Matters’ highlighting the importance and Administration Society)
Judy’s poster, entitled ‘The Pedagogical
of research by staff and students at Conference
Consequences of a Laissez-Faire
modern universities. It emphasises
Individualistic Society’, presented some Manchester
the need to ensure that public
of her initial research findings about 20-22 July 2012
funding and investment in research is
how primary teachers of Mathematics www.belmas.org.uk
distributed fairly.
conceptualise the whole class aspect
Myself and Judy Sayers (both from of their work; the justifications for, British Educational Research
the School of Education) and Richard and the knowledge and beliefs that Association Conference
Hazenberg (from Northampton Business underpin their actions. Findings were University of Manchester
School) were invited to showcase our also presented about the ways in which 6 September 2012
research accompanied by David Watson their espoused beliefs resonated with www.bera.ac.uk/conferences
from the Graduate School. We enjoyed their actions. ECER (European Conference
a memorable day on the Terrace of the on Educational Research)
David Willetts MP, Minister for
House of Commons presenting posters
Universities and Science, was the Cadiz, Spain
about our research areas and talking to
keynote speaker for the day. Delegates 17-21 September 2012
MPs, fellow researchers from Million+
were also addressed by Liam Burns, www.eera-ecer.eu
universities and other guests.
President-Elect of NUS and David
My research poster, entitled ‘A Sweeney, Director (Research, Innovation 22nd Annual EECERA
SENCO for All Seasons’ showcased and Skills) at Hefce. (European Early Childhood
my investigation into the impact of Education Research
The event was informative and Association) Conference
Special Educational Needs Coordinators
enlightening. It was inspiring for me, Oporto, Portugal
(SENCOs) on the ability of teachers
as a first-year research student, to see date to be announced
to address Special Educational Needs
and ask questions about research that www.eecera.org/conferences
(SEN) in English Primary Schools. Being
is being done across various disciplines
a first-year PhD student, the main
and fields.
objective of my poster presentation
Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education l Email education@northampton.ac.uk l RiSE l 3

4. Researcher profile
Sheena Bell joined the University in 2006 as a Senior
Lecturer and a member of CeSNER: Centre for
Education and Research.
Since then, and thanks to the support universities, including Trinity
she has received from her professors and College, Dublin and the
colleagues to develop her research and University of Applied Sciences,
academic writing skills, she has been Jyvaskyla in Finland.
delighted to be involved in a number of
She has published papers
individual research projects. These have
outlining her research findings
married some of her personal interests,
around the themes outlined
inspired by her own teaching experiences
in a number of peer reviewed
in schools, prisons, community, further
journals such as the Journal
and higher education, and working on
of Research in Reading,
international projects.
the Journal of Teaching
Sheena is particularly interested and Teacher Education, Teachers
in providing inclusive educational and Teaching: Theory and Practice,
opportunities for adults who have been the Journal of Special Educational
disadvantaged by the current education Needs (JORSEN) and Support for
system, including those with disabilities Learning. She has presented papers Educational Needs (SEN) moving from
and special educational needs. She is at ten international conferences, compulsory education to further and
also interested in support for people promoting the work of The University of higher education. She is currently in the
with dyslexia and the teaching of Northampton and presenting evidence early stages of an international project
reading, and in line with her current role, for the importance of lifelong inclusive involving Finland, Estonia and the Czech
the provision of appropriate professional education. Republic which will run for two years
development for specialist teachers. and include four international workshops
With Dr Cristina Devecchi and
Towards Inclusive Learning Environments
Sheena’s research and writing has colleagues from Trinity College, Dublin,
in Vocational Education and Training.
ranged from small scale, individual Sheena is currently preparing the final
research investigations, to successful report for an 18 month funded research Sheena finds her research role
bidding for funding and the execution of project for the National Council of challenging and fascinating and it has
large research projects in collaboration Special Educational Needs in Ireland: complemented her own teaching at the
with not only colleagues from A study of the access and progression University as well as moving her on with
Northampton, but also from other experiences of students with Special her own personal development.
European research projects Paper to be delivered
Researchers in the School of Education Down Under
have recently been successful in securing Philip Garner has delivered a paper, based
funding with European partners for two on his recent research, to which School
new projects. of Education colleague Annie Fergusson
Sheena Bell and Andy Smith will be working with colleagues made a major contribution.
from Finland and the Czech Republic on Project TILE (Towards
Inclusive Learning Environments in vocational education and This was undertaken for the Australian Curriculum Reporting
training) which will develop and pilot a ‘roadmap to inclusion’ and Assessment Authority (ACARA) in Sydney on Friday
for students with SEN to be used by professionals in vocational 7 October at the Australian Curriculum Association’s
learning environments. The project will also involve colleagues Biennial Conference. He will also agree the final version of
from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College who are delivering the University of Adelaide and ASEPA project report to the
vocational education courses. Australian government.
Richard Rose has worked with colleagues from Netherlands, On the same visit he met with colleagues from the University of
Finland, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Romania and Slovenia South Australia to finalise arrangements for a proposal to the
to develop a project called ‘Access to Lifelong Learning in Australian Research Council: The University of Northampton
Higher Education (ALL in HE)’ which will investigate the ways in is a Partner Investigator in a bid entitled ‘Interpretation and
which students with disabilities and special educational needs Enactment of the Australian Curriculum by Educators of
access learning and assessment in higher education settings. Students verified with a Disability’.
4 l RiSE l Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education l Email education@northampton.ac.uk

5. Indian Schools Community
project underway
Members of the School of Education have taken part in a Schools Project funded by
the TDA, which ran from April 2010 to September 2011. The research investigated the
expectations that a particular Indian community, based in Northamptonshire, had for
the Primary education of their children. The provision and support provided by schools to
these parents and their children were also investigated.
The community is one which has
a distinct identity from a state in
south Indian with the local language
widely spoken. Presently there are
approximately 100 families who have
relocated to Northamptonshire.
Dr Anna Cox, Dr Estelle Tarry and Dr
Johnson Jament established working
relationships with the community
over the first four to six months of the
project through a range of contacts with
community members. An evening social
event with traditional regional food was
held at the University, and members
of the research team participated in
community celebrations such as the
Onam Festival.
Data about parental expectations of
primary schooling was gathered via
group interviews with 20 families. These
took place in domestic settings offered their children’s learning, particularly Findings from the two groups showed
by community members and were including homework, and greatly valued some strong relationships, for example
supported by Johnson, who is himself a academic achievement. the parents’ focus on high academic
speaker of the local language. Thematic achievement was very clearly understood
analysis of the data revealed that In the second phase of the study, the
by schools. What seemed to be lacking
although parents were highly educated schools attended by the children in the
was parent initiated contact with schools
they did encounter some difficulties with sample group were contacted resulting
as well as more detailed information
their children’s primary schooling. in several one-to-one interviews with
about the taught curriculum and how
school staff. The teacher interviews
There was a widely held view among children’s learning could be most
revealed that on the whole schools were
parents that the British Education effectively supported in the home.
aware of the local Indian community
system was closely related to their own and had measures in place to facilitate Anna and Estelle presented a paper in
experiences of colonial style education communication with families but Istanbul in February 2011 outlining the
in India. They expected more formal that there was less awareness of the initial first stage of the research: the
teaching and less small group work, specific community group taking part in parents’ aspirations and expectations.
less learning through exploration and the study. They followed this by presenting a
less differentiation than their children paper at The University of Northampton
experienced in British primary schools. Schools indicated that parents were
Teaching and Learning conference
They indicated that they felt they did not made welcome, for example at special
in May 2011 on the lessons learnt in
know enough about more recent British assemblies, and that the take up of
undertaking cross-cultural research. They
education and felt that their knowledge opportunities for teacher consultations
are presently in the process of extending
of current educational practices was high. They noted that parents were
this into a journal article and intend
sometimes restricted their engagement often strongly focused on academic
to report their findings to the schools
with schools. achievement and wanted to know how
as a contributution to school/parent
children behaved towards school staff
The parents sought the opportunity relationships.
and fellow pupils. In contrast to parents
for up-to-date, accurate and timely concerns for firm behaviour management
school communication; wanted more schools reported the children’s behaviour
information about ways to support to be very good.
Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education l Email education@northampton.ac.uk l RiSE l 5

6. Welcoming
Yumy to
the team
The Centre for
Education and
Research (CeSNER) is
delighted to welcome a
new research assistant
New Research
this term. Centre facilities
Zhao Yu (Yumy) comes to us
having taught English in her We have a new home! As part of the recent
home city of Shenyang in Liaoning
Province China.
redevelopment of the School of Education new facilities
She originally came to The
have been provided to support PhD students and
University of Northampton to researchers.
undertake comparative research
into differences of teacher From having been spread across Park Campus in a number of small offices in recent
perceptions of inclusive schooling years we now have a space dedicated to research in which students have their own
in England and China as part of personal space for working and storage and relaxation. This improved facility has
her MA Education (International) been greatly welcomed by all and has already become a hive of activity.
and has also spent time working in
English schools. “The new Research Centre is a delight to work in. These smashing new facilities
enable us to bring the best to our research, as we are now able to bounce ideas
Yumy has been working on Project off one another as we work in a comfortable and personalised environment.”
IRIS (Inclusive Research in Irish
Saneeya Qureshi
Schools) with Professor Richard
Rose and will be supporting other “On a grey day, it is quite energizing to be welcomed by the bright yellow
projects based within the Centre noticeboard with the contrasting blue wall, which makes me feel as though
for Education and Research. summer is always in the room. Being a part-time student, it is helpful to have
access to other students who are going through the same process.”
Carmel Capewell
6 l RiSE l Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education l Email education@northampton.ac.uk

7. PhD News
Recent PhD success
Congratulations to Dr Corallie Murray who received her PhD at the recent
graduation ceremonies.
Corallie, who is head teacher at
Fairfields School in Northampton,
undertook research into the
management of change in special
educational policy and provision across
two counties. Corallie’s work focused on
how managers at both Local Authority
and school levels respond to change,
and the ways in which polices are
communicated and implemented.
As an experienced head teacher of a
school judged to be outstanding by
Ofsted, Corallie has a had a particular
interest in the ways in which change
has impacted upon her own school,
and has been able to establish a clear
relationship between her roles as
researcher and head teacher. We look
forward to continuing to work closely
with Corallie in the future.
The School PhD student PhD training days
of Education support The School runs PhD training days
for students, potential students and
Research Forum group meetings supervisors.
The School of Education Research Forum The monthly supervisor and PhD student The days take place termly and provide:
is open to all members of academic and group meetings continue to provide a • platform for students to disseminate
A
research staff within the school, as well as forum for discussion of methodological their work and receive feedback in a
Visiting Professors and PhD students. matters related to individual projects. supportive environment
The purpose of the forum, which is a These meetings are informal and relaxed • n opportunity for students to
A
working meeting, is to raise the profile but provide opportunities for critical exchange information
of research within the school, increasing discussion and reflection around the PhD
bidding activity, supporting colleagues in process. • he chance for students to hear from
T
submission of work for publication and established researchers on matters of
Forthcoming meetings will be held from interest or concern to them
increasing research capacity. The aim
4.30-6pm on:
is to give colleagues an opportunity to • n opportunity for potential students
A
present aspects of their research and to • 24 November 2011 to find out what it is like to study for
come together for practical writing and a PhD
• 15 December 2011
bidding activities.
• 19 January 2012 The next PhD training day will take place
Last year’s Research Forums were very from 2-4.30pm on:
well received by staff and students. The • 16 February 2012
Forum will take place on the following • 2 February 2012
dates, from 10am-4pm on each day: • 15 March 2012
• 8 February 2012 • 19 April 2012
• 20 June 2012
Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education l Email education@northampton.ac.uk l RiSE l 7

8. Inaugural visiting professor
lecture – Professor John Visser
On 6 October Professor
John Visser gave his
inaugural lecture as
Visiting Professor in the
School of Education.
John, who is internationally known
for his work in the area of children
with emotional and behavioural
difficulties, addressed issues of our
understanding of behaviours that
challenge. The lecture was entitled
‘Past Wisdoms: Future Practice.
Meeting the Needs of Children and
Young People with Behaviours that
can Challenge’.
An audience of academic
colleagues, research students
and friends gave John a warm
reception for his thought-provoking a distinguished career teaching in individual researchers and research
presentation. John, who has schools, is working with colleagues students. Colleagues within the School
previously held positions at at The University of Northampton to of Education are looking forward to
the Universities of Exeter and look at the development of research working with him on a number of
Birmingham, as well as having bids as well as offering support to forthcoming projects.
The University of Northampton
Park Campus
Boughton Green Road
Northampton NN2 7AL
Web www.northampton.ac.uk/education
Email education@northampton.ac.uk