Experiences of children and young people
This 2018 report gathers the experiences of children and young people, applying a mixed methods approach to answer one research question with one sub component:
What makes a good teacher?
And How does this look and feel in a classroom?
The methodology included a rapid literature review which then shaped the engagement work with children and young people. The engagement work took three forms:
- direct engagement sessions
- a resource developed to support adults to complete with children and young people
- an online survey to support a wider geographical spread of participants
Questions and options included in the survey were informed by the themes identified in the literature review.
Complex role for teachers
This research highlighted the complexity and importance of the role played by Scotland’s teachers. Scotland’s children and young people have a diverse range of needs and preferences.
These findings from children and young people provide important evidence to help shape standards and point to the importance of achieving balance in a number of key areas, including;
- Nurturing and respect for boundaries
- Rules and freedom
- Equality and equity
- Professionalism and creativity
Participants
Across the range of data collection methods we heard from 591 children and young people. We engaged with a diverse group of young people both through our direct work and the respondents to the resource and online survey.
- Direct Work – 85 participants
- Resource – 144 participants
- Survey – 362 Participants
This included:
- an age range of 5 -18
- a range of additional support needs
- a range of socio-economic backgrounds
- an ethnically diverse group of young people