Perspectives on transition from primary to secondary school from children in care and their corporate parents

Pryor, Rachael

Abstract

Transition to secondary school can be viewed as a rite of passage for children. It can also be a time of great change and therefore challenge. The study examines the unique perspectives of six Children in Care (CiC).

This study focuses on the thoughts, feelings and observations of CiC reflecting on the process of transition from primary to secondary school. To assist in illustrating the experiences of the children, their ‘corporate parents’ also contributed to the study. The methods were chosen to maximise engagement and enable the voice of the child in care to be heard. This included using a range or techniques such as structured conversations with all participants a child led tour of their new school and drawing “mind maps” (Buzan, 2003) to record the discussions.

The reflections of the children and their corporate parents gave insight into processes and structures within care and education as experienced by the child. Themes were identified and analysed using Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006, 2013, 2021).

Through the methodological lens of critical realism, the study considers the influence of causal mechanisms such as policy and culture within the education and social care systems and wider socio-political structures that influence the experiences of the children. The data described in chapter six suggests that being in care within these structures presents some circumstances and experiences that are unique to those in care. The impact of the government’s response to COVID-19 in relation to education policy and CiC is also considered within the study.

The study identifies areas of practice and policy that support positive transition for CiC and makes recommendations about aspects that could be further developed or improved at a micro, meso and macro level. For example, from meeting the appropriate staff before changing schools to critiquing the influence of neoliberalism on the type of school the child attends.

During the process of conducting and analysing this research I personally gained greater insight into the things that were important to CiC at the time of primary to secondary transition. I also learnt a lot about myself as a learner through my own transition to becoming a researcher during the study.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: May 29, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 29, 2024
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12012958
• Award Date: Oct 29, 2024