Released: 12.03.09

Dr Sean MacBlain, Kathy Jarrett, and Sharon James (School of Education and Professional Development) from UCP Marjon, have been successful in their joint bid with Stranmillis University College, Queen’s University Belfast for an Escalate Research grant from the Higher Education Academy.

The title of their project, which will take place over three years, is: “Meeting the Every Child Matters agenda and the challenge for employers: a tale of two cities”. The project seeks to investigate current thinking behind how student teachers are prepared to meet the changing needs of children growing up in cities experiencing regeneration and the decision making processes that inform the recruitment of Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT’s). Specifically, the project aims to explore:

• What personal qualities head teachers seek when making appointments of NQT’s.
• What level of knowledge and skills base head teachers are looking for in NQT’s with regard to the emotional and social development of children when making appointments.
• What continuing professional development head teachers expect to provide for NQT’s.
• How Higher Education Institutions prepare trainee teachers for working in schools where there is a high level of need amongst pupils.

Other members of Staff from UCP Marjon who will be working on the project are: Karen Russell, Karen Stockham, Mark Andrew Dearden, Angela Snell, Annie Fisher and Katherine Hamley.