Brighton plays part in biggest review of primary schools for 40 years
Published 23 October 2009
Dr Carol Robinson, a senior research fellow from the University of Brighton, has contributed to the biggest enquiry into English primary schools for more than 40 years.
The Primary Review, based at the University of Cambridge and supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, aims to prompt a rethink of the way primary school education is delivered.
The Review investigated the condition and future of primary education. It examined children's development and learning during their years at primary school, as well as the impact of the many recent policies and initiatives.
The final report sets out 75 recommendations which include replacing the current national test, known as SATs, with a system which reports on children's attainment in all areas of their education. The report also calls for a major review of the way schools are staffed, arguing that there is a case for using more specialist and semi-specialist teachers as well as the traditional class teacher. But the report also said primary schools were highly valued by parents and pivotal to communities.
It draws on more than 4,000 published sources, together with 28 specially-commissioned research surveys, including one led by Dr Robinson which focuses on pupils' perceptions of the purposes of primary school as well as their perceptions of learning, teaching, the curriculum and assessment.
She said: "All too often pupils' views are ignored and they can become disengaged from learning in school. We need to find ways to breakdown the power relations in schools between teachers and pupils. Where pupils' voices are heard on teaching and learning issues, teachers can gain an insight into what helps and what hinders pupil learning. Children, teachers and parents also need a clear view of the purpose of primary education and this should be clearly communicated."
She concludes that "we need to conduct further research into the ways in which the recent move to listen to the voices of pupils has changed the cultures within some primary schools, and the benefits this change brings."
Dr Robinson has taught in secondary schools, pupil referral units and has been researching around the area of pupils' voices in education for the past seven years.
Find out more
Further details of the research survey lead by Dr Carol Robinson and The Primary Review can be found here:
- The Primary Review
- A report of The Primary Review Research Survey: briefing 5/3 Children and their primary schools Pupils' Voices (pdf)
- A summary of The Primary Review Research Survey: briefing 5/3 Children and their primary schools Pupils' Voices (pdf)
- The briefing of the Final Report (pdf)
- Details of how to order the Final Report and its companion volume 'The Cambridge Primary Review Research Surveys' (pdf)
- Details of the dissemination conferences at which the Review's main findings and recommendations will be considered (pdf)
You can also find out more about Dr Carol Robinson on the School of Education website.
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