University research project

The purpose of the study is to explore the enablers and barriers that Year 9 learners experience in coming to school. The aim of the project is to listen to what the learners have to say and to see what can be done to support and increase learner engagement. 

You have been invited to participate because you are a current pupil in Year 9.

Taking part in the project is entirely voluntary. You will be asked to read a participant information sheet. There will be a teacher present for you to ask questions. 

Once you are happy that you understand what the project is about and that you are willing to participate, you will be asked complete and sign a Participant Consent Form.

You have a right to withdraw from the project at any time. However, if you withdraw after completing the survey, it will not be possible to remove this information from the dataset as all responses will be anonymous.

You can withdraw from the focus group prior to transcription. In this case, your data will not be included. However, once the focus group data has been anonymised it will not be possible to extract your data from the dataset.

A Participant Withdrawal Form is available which includes more details of what actions the University will take following a request to withdraw. 

You will be asked to complete a short online survey which will ask you what you find enjoyable and engaging about school and what you consider to be the challenges. On completion of the survey, you will be asked if you would like to participate in a focus group, and to give your name to your Form Tutor. 

The survey will take place in an IT room during one worship session supported by Miss Stevens and Miss Hallett.

Focus groups will take place during another worship session by Miss Stevens and Ms Hallett and will be recorded securely on Microsoft Teams.

It’s not envisaged that there are any risks to taking part in this research project. If you disclose any sensitive information or issues relating to safeguarding then school procedures will be followed.

Should anybody in the group become upset, then the recording will be stopped immediately and normal school procedures will be followed.

There are no direct benefits to you but hearing your perspective of school engagement, enablers and challenges will help the school consider approaches to promote attendance.

The results of the research project will be used to form part of Miss Stevens' MA dissertation project. It may be used for a later journal article. 

Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the study.

Data collected from the survey will be anonymous. 

Recordings from the Focus Groups will be stored securely on a Cardiff Metropolitan University Microsoft OneDrive account. Once transcribed, the recordings will be deleted.

During the transcription process participants will be given pseudonyms. Miss Stevens and her supervisor will have access to the data.

Data is only collected for the completion of the study and will be held for ten years on Microsoft OneDrive.

Miss Stevens is conducting the research as a National MA Education student at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Her supervisor is Dr Rhiannon Packer (rajpacker@cardiffmet.ac.uk).

The project has been approved by Cardiff Metropolitan University and by the Headteacher of St Teilo's Church in Wales High School.

Miss Stevens may be contacted at the school.