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Impington Village College

Impington Village College

Impington Village College is a state 11-18 comprehensive academy near Cambridge. In partnership with the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, the school has long history of engaging staff in teacher action research. For example, one research project built on the existing history of student voice at Impington, with the question: ‘Will student engagement be raised if research resulting in change is led by students rather than staff?’ This research, led by Anita Porter, while IVC Student Voice coordinator, was written in collaboration with the Faculty’s Dr Bethan Morgan and is published in the Student Voice Handbook.

In 2014/2015 the College engaged in research across the College using the SUPER partnership theme of ‘closing the gap’ and reflecting on the impact of mind-set on vulnerable KS3 students. This has been developed in 2015/2016 into wider research on barriers to learning faced by students in all years.
Since 2014 the school research group has developed its own termly in house journal: IMPact (action research at Impington) to share key findings and recommendations from research. The group has also delivered whole staff training to share the range of findings, good practice and recommendations of teacher practitioners who have engaged in research over the last few years.

In the spring term of 2016, all weekly top teaching tips delivered at briefings were based on research. The College is developing over time an approach to making training and development based on evidence using secondary or primary research. Staff involvement with SUPER has led to members of staff successfully completing the MEd programme and several staff have completed the Certificate in Further Professional Study (CFPS).  Recent research has included work on creativity, teacher knowledge, feedback on observation and self-concept among students.

Our college website: www.impington.cambs.sch.uk/

Teacher Research Lead

Beth Morrish & Sarah McGill

News & Links

Jo Sale's Guardian Blog article

Morgan, B., & Porter, A. (2011). Student Researchers exploring teaching and learning: processes and issues. In G. Czerniawski & W. Kidd (Eds.), The Student Voice Handbook: Bridging the Academic/Practitioner Divide. Emerald.