Research in seaside schools
This project seeks to develop a deeper understanding of education in isolated seaside communities.
Project background
Funded with generous support from Bath Spa University.
Some of the most challenging educational contexts are in communities located in remote seaside towns with declining industry and a lack of economic and cultural opportunities.
The project has three main aims:
- Develop new theoretical understandings of educational isolation and territorial stigma
- Contextualise policies targeting school improvement in coastal schools
- Work with education leaders and practitioners to engage with isolated communities.
Project data collection
Our methods and data collection include the following:
- Content analysis of documents
- Semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders
- Q methodology
- Walking methodologies.
Project team
Research outputs
- Parfitt, A and Taylor-McCartney, P. (2021) Interrogating the notion of the seaside idyll. British Educational Research Association blog.
- Parfitt, A and Taylor-McCartney, P. (2021) Nowhere places. Teacher Educator Advancement Network Conference.
- Parfitt, A. (2020) Turning around coast-based schools: An interpretive narrative analysis of a report on school reform in English coastal communities. Improving Schools.