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Young researchers to have their work published

07 August 2018

 

A team of young researchers who worked with academics from Teesside University are set to have their work published in a new book chapter.

Professor Dorothy Newbury-Birch and Gillian Waller from Teesside University with Michael Hayden, Daniel Barber, Scott Brown and Lewis Hudson.
Professor Dorothy Newbury-Birch and Gillian Waller from Teesside University with Michael Hayden, Daniel Barber, Scott Brown and Lewis Hudson.

Six pupils from Norham High School, in North Shields, worked alongside Professor Dorothy Newbury-Birch and Gillian Waller from Teesside University, to assess the impact changes to the GCSE format had on both staff and students.

The work is set to form part of a book chapter edited by Professor Newbury-Birch, herself a former Norham High School pupil.

From 2017 changes to GCSEs led to them being graded in numbers, 9 to 1, rather than A* to G. There was also a wider focus on exam results as opposed to course work.

The young people, who were at the forefront of the changes, carried out in depth research and analysis about how the new format affected both staff and fellow students, conducting a series of interviews to assess how different people felt about the changes and how it affected their confidence and state of mind.

The group, known as Team-Talent, then regularly met with their teachers and academics from Teesside University to analyse and write up their findings.

They found that the main change that their peers were worried about, in relation to the new GCSEs, was the change to more examinations and the need to prepare for them. The teachers were also aware of this and put plans in place to help the young people deal with this radical change to how things are done.

Professor Newbury-Birch, from Teesside University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, was delighted to work with the pupils at her former school.

'This is without question the most satisfying piece of work I have ever been involved in,' she said.

'It was fantastic to work with a group of motivated young people on a piece of research that, not only directly affected them, but which they were also extremely passionate about.

This is without question the most satisfying piece of work I have ever been involved in.

Professor Dorothy Newbury-Birch

'We have worked together for two years and throughout the whole project the students have been extremely committed and enthusiastic. To finally have their work published in a book chapter will be a great achievement for them and something they can carry forward into their future studies and careers.'

John Patterson, Learning Manager at Norham High School, added: 'This was a great opportunity for the students and to have a book chapter to their name will be an achievement to be proud of – it is something they will always remember.'

Daniel Barber, 16, one of the students on Team-Talent, said: 'We have all learnt a lot about how to carry out a thorough piece of research and it is really pleasing that we will be able to have our names added to a published piece of work.'

The book chapter from Team-Talent is set to be published next summer. Professor Newbury-Birch will begin working with the next group of young people at Norham High School, Team-Talent 2, in September. This work will involve the young people carrying out a piece of work to gain an AQA Certificate.

This work supports the University's Grand Challenge Research Theme of Resilient and Secure Societies. It is part of a wider aim to address some of the global challenges of our time through focus on externally facing research which makes a real, practical difference to the lives of people, along with the success of businesses and economies.


 
 
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