Post-14 Research Group

Post-14 education and training has been a site of intense policy debate and change for over two decades in Britain and in many other parts of the world. This is partly explained by the positioning of this phase of education and training at the interface of compulsory education, further education, work-based training, higher education and employment. The phase is also marked by the growing independence of learners and increased opportunities for them to exercise choice over what, how and where they learn. Thus the post-14 phase reflects a wide range of aims, objectives and values which embody the views and interests of a wide variety of stakeholders.

Staff working in this area have interests in the analysis of these issues across a variety of contexts and from a range of methodological perspectives. Research has been supported by extensive ESRC and government funding together with grants from a variety of regional and local bodies.

Inter-related strands of work include:

  • 14-19 curriculum research especially the analysis of curriculum innovation and implementation
  • the sociological analysis of education and training with particular focus upon the relationships between vocational education and training, wider social and family structures and young people's emerging identities
  • further and higher education research with emphasis upon teaching and learning cultures in further education and widening participation initiatives in both further and higher education
  • policy analysis and evaluation of national and local initiatives and programmes in 14-19 education and training

A major project recently undertaken by the group was the National Evaluation of 14-19 Pathfinders. The group is currently conducting the National Evaluation of the Vocational Specialist Schools programme.

Last updated by David Yeomans on 12th September 2007