During the 2024/25 academic year Miss Holmes and Mr. Winfield both completed their Master of Arts degree in Teaching Studies through the University of Birmingham, alongside their roles as full-time teachers.
Miss Holmes' research focussed improving practical work in physics. To do this she created a new kind of instructions worksheet which used the principles of Universal Design for Learning which provides more than one way to understand and interact with instructions utilising photographs, diagrams and checklists as well as encouraging students to reflect on their learning. Miss Holmes found that following the introduction of this worksheet, her pupils were calmer and more focussed, leading to all completing their practical task in record time. They also asked for help far less often than in other practical lessons and collected some of the best data she has ever seen! These ideas are being shared with colleagues in the Science Department and Miss Holmes hopes that one day, all practical instructions will be given in this way.
Mr. Winfield's research focussed on strategies for mathematical problem solving in Key Stage 3. The students involved were taught to use metacognitive strategies from academic literature which helped them think more deeply about how they could plan, for and reflect on the problems they were solving. This was found to improve their self-regulation and motivation, helping them to solve the trickiest of problems which they explored in class. Many students were able to use these strategies to help them experience success in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge, with some even qualifying for the follow-up Junior Kangaroo. The findings have been shared within the maths department to allow everyone to benefit from these strategies.
On 8 November both were invited to share their findings with other teachers and education researchers at the University. It was a fantastic morning, showcasing a real passion for teaching from all involved.
Miss Holmes and Mr Winfield are both very grateful to the OSH community for their support of this research, and thought fondly of all involved at their graduation yesterday.
Many congratulations to them both!