Karen Pickles
Deputy Head - MA Educational
Improvement, Development & Change Graduate
The course has been energising and motivating, allowing me to
step back from the workload at school, and reflect on specific
research within the school. It is so easy to become pre-occupied
with the day to day issues which arise, and the course had enabled
me to change my practice as a Deputy Head to be much more effective
in implementing effective change. It has also enabled me to be more
reflective, and to accept that sometimes it is incredibly difficult
to bring about whole school effective change.
The research which was carried out in my
school, i.e. interviewing disaffected pupils, gave me the
opportunity to interview and talk in depth with a number of pupils,
an activity which was hugely beneficial and only occurred because
of the specific research.
Background reading has given me a real insight
into many issues which again, would not have happened had it not
been a necessity of the course! It is amazing what can be achieved
when the agenda is set!
Many aspects of my research projects have impacted on my
knowledge and outlook on school developments, and therefore
through in-service training and chats in the staff room, have
ultimately impacted on staff in the school.
Specific memories are: Very early morning and very late evening
research and reading which, once started, was incredibly
interesting, energising and motivating.
Despair, when work is mounting at school, and
the assignment is just not coming together, then euphoria when it
is handed in!
The Course has helped me tremendously to
priorities, and has renewed my love of learning.