English literature: An aesthetic form of knowledge

English literature was introduced as an essential component of Britain’s school curriculum in the early 20th century as part of a broader effort to create, inter alia, an education system based...

Curriculum development through professional enquiry: Developments in Wales

Since the publication of Graham Donaldson’s report in 2015 (Donaldson, 2015) and the adoption of its recommendations by the Welsh Government, pioneer schools across Wales have been taking the...

The future of educational research in Wales

Education in Wales is currently experiencing an unprecedented level of reform. The articles in this special issue of the BERA Blog are written by teachers and researchers in Wales who have been...

Hopes and fears: The development of a new curriculum in Wales

The future of educational research in Wales

Since 2015, ‘pioneer’ schools across Wales have been contributing to the development of a new national curriculum based on Professor Graham Donaldson’s (2015) report, Successful Futures. As...

Through adversity comes strength: Educational policy reform and developing research capacity in Wales

The future of educational research in Wales

Introducing a special issue of the BERA Blog on education in Wales, to mark the conference, ‘The future of educational research in Wales’, held in Cardiff on 14 November 2018. Education...

The future of educational research in Wales

If you would like to view this in Welsh, please click here. The education system in Wales is currently on an ambitious and innovative reform journey and research and evidence informed practices...

BERA Research Commission 2018/2020 – Competing Discourses of Early Childhood Education and Care

Following the recent call for proposals, we are delighted to announce the first award for a Research Commission to run in 2019. Competing Discourses of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC):...

“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” – Chinese proverb

Scotland: Reform, professionalism and delivery

The winds of change can be welcome, pushing you to a better world. For many teachers in Wales today the current climate feels more like a storm. In 1999 the first elections to the newly...

Educational research in Welsh HEIs: a ‘state of the nation’ survey

Since devolution in 1999, the Welsh Government has developed a distinctive programme of education reform which needs to be underpinned by a strong evidence base. However, while the need for...

Living, not just learning, the Welsh language

Since 2013, the Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research Data & Methods (WISERD) has conducted research with pupils, teachers and parents in 29 primary and secondary schools throughout Wales....

BERA/TACTYC 2016 Academic and User Reviews: Early Childhood Education Keynote symposium

Members of the Early Childhood SIG are presenting the BERA/TACTYC Academic Review of Early Childhood Education, bringing together specialists in BERA and TACTYC (Association for Professional...

Wales and the politics of education

On the 5th May 2016, the people of Wales went to the polls to elect members of the National Assembly – to which all matters of education policy in the country are devolved. The outcome of the...