Introduction
The Research Schools Partnership
The School-University Partnership for Educational Research (SUPER) was created in 1998 by Professors David Hargreaves and Donald McIntyre and a group of local headteachers in response to a national concern about the perceived lack of impact of the outcomes of educational research, (usually produced by Higher Education Institutions), upon policy-relevant and practical day to day issues in schools.
All partner schools are represented in SUPER by teacher research co-ordinators (TRCs) and headteachers. Meetings with the faculty team take place at least twice termly to discuss on-going research, future plans, the SUPER M.Ed and other relevant topics and issues. SUPER also holds an annual conference/residential in June giving partners an opportunity to share, discuss and disseminate their research.
Current Partners
- Arthur Mellows Village College
- Biddenham International School & Specialist Sports College
- Bottisham Village College
- Impington Village College
- St Ivo School
- Samuel Whitbread Community College
- Sharnbrook Upper School
- Soham Village College
- Stratton Upper School & Community College
- University of Cambridge Faculty of Education
SUPER is keen to expand and to hear from any Primary Schools interested in joining the partnership: see 'Joining SUPER' for contact details.
Teacher Research Projects
Teacher led projects are initiated and carried out in response to issues and questions about teaching and learning identified by schools, and are supported by the faculty team. Since 2005/6, our principal focus has been 'pupil engagement'. The Faculty team, in collaboration with Headteachers and Teacher Research Co-ordinators, are also researching the partnership.
Externally Funded Research Projects
SUPER has also taken part in externally funded research projects e.g. Developing Warranted Practice in the use of ICT to support subject teaching and learning in the secondary school; and the Schools University Partnership for Educational Research (SUPER) examination of practitioner research and enquiry in Networked Learning Communities.