Agenda item

The Board received a presentation from the School’s Researcher in Residence.

The Researcher in Residence provided the Board with an overview of Research at CLSG.

The presentation covered the following points:

·        What is a research engaged School. The Board were informed that an audit was currently being undertaken asking staff to what extent they understood CLSG to be a research engaged school. It was noted that some very positive responses had been received;

·        Education as ‘Evidence Based’ or ‘Research informed’;

·        The Action Research Cycle – ‘Look, Think, Act’;

·        Activities undertaken so far to help develop the role of research at CLSG – this included teacher-researcher pioneers (currently being undertaken in areas including Biology, Physics, Music and Maths), involvement in external projects and networks (including a project currently being undertaken with CLS and Birkbeck University), looking at ‘common problems’ such as note taking and essay writing, making research more accessible and supporting MA students;

·        A half termly research newsletter for staff had now been established.

In response to a question regarding other School’s approach to this matter, the Researcher in Residence reported that Wellington College and Eaton were leading the way on this at present but that some state schools were also taking a lead. Whilst CLSG were not currently sharing their knowledge in this area with other City Schools it was hoped that they would be in a position to do so in the near future.

In response to further questions, the Researcher in Residence confirmed that parental permission would be sought for anything outside of the normal learning experience for the students.

In response to questions regarding the post of Researcher in Residence, the Headmistress reported that this post had been established for one year initially with the post-holder working two days per week which seemed to be sufficient at present.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Board, thanked the Researcher in Residence for her presentation and for her hard work and initiative demonstrated in this relatively new area of work.