TTFM: Tell Them From Me 2014
Overview
A Research Project
in co-operation with School
Leaders Scotland (SLS) |
Research outline (as at the start of the project) |
This study aims to collect the views of school leavers from Scottish secondary schools about their experiences of schooling. It is part of our work to mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of comprehensive education across Scotland in 1965. In 1980, CES published "Tell Them From Me", based on surveys of school leavers conducted in 1977 and 1979 - a book which had a powerful influence on educational thinking and policy as Standard Grade was being introduced across Scotland. Over 80% of those surveyed replied, taking the chance to write powerfully, and very memorably, about their feelings of school at that time. Much has changed in the 34 years since then and it is now timely to ask current schools leavers about their views and experiences of school. Using an on-line questionnaire, we want to ask the 2014 leaver group similar questions to those asked in the 1970s to compare and contrast their views and to inform present and future policy. The survey will allow the voices of school leavers to be heard. School Leaders Scotland (SLS) are asking their members (Headteachers and other senior staff in all secondary schools in Scotland) to arrange for students who are leaving in May 2014 to complete an on-line questionnaire in school as part of their leaving process. The questionnaire includes standard questions about sex, age, qualifications, planned post-school destinations etc but the key element is the open-ended comment section where young people can write about their experience of schooling in their own words. The online survey is being designed, hosted and analysed by the research team at the University of Edinburgh. Young people taking part in the survey will not be asked to give their names. Responses will be anonymous, and will be electronically submitted directly to the survey database at the University. The study has received ethical approval from the relevant University of Edinburgh committee and the research team adhere to the ethical standards laid down by the Scottish Educational Research Association. We will analyse what the young people say, identifying the key themes expressed about their experience of schooling in the second decade of the 21st century and comparing their views with those of their counterparts in the 1970s. The study will provide the basis of a chapter in a book to be published next year entitled ‘All Our Future: lessons from the first 50 years of Scottish comprehensive schooling for Scotland, the UK and beyond’. The book will review the experiences of our comprehensive school system and will be of interest to school leaders and policy makers throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. There may be a further more detailed publication of the research later in 2015. We will also provide anonymised feedback to the schools taking part in the survey. |
Project dates |
January 2014 – July 2015 |