Funded Action-Based Research Opportunities
The extension of duties of the Virtual School has added the strategic responsibility for enhancing the progress and provision for children and young people with a social worker. By pooling funding streams open to the Virtual School we would like to finance up to 10 action research projects over two years from 1st September 2022 with the aim of improving achievement and raising aspiration through the protective factor of school attendance. 40% of children and young people with a social worker are currently classed as persistent absentees.
Expressions of interest are welcomed from single settings, from multi academy trusts and from settings or trusts working collaboratively across a locality. Representatives of those interested settings will be invited to an engagement event on Wednesday 2nd March, 10am-11am where more detail will be shared on the aims of the programme, ideas of what has made a difference and the required format of bids for funding. There will be a tight turnaround for bids as the funding will need to be allocated within the current financial year, so please be aware of this when deciding whether to express an interest. The potential sums involved, once funding to the Virtual School has been confirmed, should allow for ambitious bids which can include appointments. The action-based research projects and programme will be externally evaluated.
To secure a place at the engagement event, please register an interest by email with Stuart Mason, Deputy Virtual School Head, [email protected] by Monday 14th February 2022.