Summary
Aim of the research
The overarching aim of this research is to examine the success of the Foundation Phase from a number of different angles, now that it has had almost 10 years to embed. The research builds on a national evaluation of the Foundation Phase commissioned by the Welsh Government and published in 2015.
Work with case study schools
An essential component of the Welsh government research, conducted by WISERD (Cardiff University) involved 41 schools and settings across Wales taking part as ‘case studies.’ A number of these schools have been approached to take part in this second smaller study, with the hope of eliciting in-depth views and information on practices. The research aims to find out about how the Foundation Phase is currently implemented in different classrooms in Wales and canvass existing opinion about its strengths, weaknesses and associated challenges, following a longer period of implementation and time for practices to embed. More information about what’s involved for case study schools is described under the case study sections of the website. The key features of the wider research are described below.
Key features of the wider research
A little bit about me, the researcher: Nikki Jones
I am an experienced researcher, have worked within Foundation Phase classrooms on a voluntary basis and have been a primary school governor for over 10 years. I have the required Criminal Records Bureau clearance to work in schools and, when visiting, will carry a university photo identification badge at all times. The research is guided by the director of the original Welsh Government Commissioned Foundation Phase evaluation, Professor Chris Taylor and is supported by a number of experts in the field of educational research. It has been approved by the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences Ethics Committee and will strictly adhere to professional codes of practice. Every care will be taken to ensure that all data pertaining to participants is kept securely, retained for 5 years and destroyed in accordance with GDPR (2018). All participants have the right to withdraw from the research at any time.
Any comments you have concerning my research are valued, please feel free to contact me or ask questions at any stage.
The overarching aim of this research is to examine the success of the Foundation Phase from a number of different angles, now that it has had almost 10 years to embed. The research builds on a national evaluation of the Foundation Phase commissioned by the Welsh Government and published in 2015.
Work with case study schools
An essential component of the Welsh government research, conducted by WISERD (Cardiff University) involved 41 schools and settings across Wales taking part as ‘case studies.’ A number of these schools have been approached to take part in this second smaller study, with the hope of eliciting in-depth views and information on practices. The research aims to find out about how the Foundation Phase is currently implemented in different classrooms in Wales and canvass existing opinion about its strengths, weaknesses and associated challenges, following a longer period of implementation and time for practices to embed. More information about what’s involved for case study schools is described under the case study sections of the website. The key features of the wider research are described below.
Key features of the wider research
- A national survey of Foundation Phase Lead teachers
- Snapshot observations of Foundation Phase practice in a small number of case study schools
- Interviews with Headteachers and Foundation Phase practitioners
- Examination of Foundation Phase outcomes for the whole of Wales
- Interviews with key policy makers and advisors
- Comparison of Headteacher, Foundation Phase practitioner and key stakeholder views in 2011/12 and 2020.
- Comparison of Foundation Phase practice between 2011/12 and 2020
A little bit about me, the researcher: Nikki Jones
I am an experienced researcher, have worked within Foundation Phase classrooms on a voluntary basis and have been a primary school governor for over 10 years. I have the required Criminal Records Bureau clearance to work in schools and, when visiting, will carry a university photo identification badge at all times. The research is guided by the director of the original Welsh Government Commissioned Foundation Phase evaluation, Professor Chris Taylor and is supported by a number of experts in the field of educational research. It has been approved by the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences Ethics Committee and will strictly adhere to professional codes of practice. Every care will be taken to ensure that all data pertaining to participants is kept securely, retained for 5 years and destroyed in accordance with GDPR (2018). All participants have the right to withdraw from the research at any time.
Any comments you have concerning my research are valued, please feel free to contact me or ask questions at any stage.
