Practical learning and 'academically able' students
Edge commissioned the University of Exeter to investigate the impact of practical and vocational learning on the motivation, attitudes and achievement of 'academically able' young people.
The Edge Foundation asked Professor William Richardson and Dr Sue Sing (University of Exeter)to assess whether practical and vocational learning at school has any positive or negative effect on students':
- motivation
- levels of achievement
- choice of post-16 learning routes; and
- awareness of (and attitudes towards) a variety of career options. Research focused on students identified as achieving average or above average levels of attainment in 'academic' terms. In addition, the authors carried out an extensive literature review and examined the history of the secondary school curriculum and methods of assessment in England and Wales. We believe this to be first UK study to investigate these themes through the attitudes and outlooks of 'academically-able' students across a range of varied schools. Fieldwork was carried out in six schools in 2010 and the report was completed in May 2011.