Teacher fg write up notes
The data collected in this phase of the study consists of three focus groups and one semi structured interview. Focus groups were conducted across three schools and were attended by 11 participants made up in each school of a combination of Upper Key Stage 2 teachers, teaching assistants and in one school a deputy head teacher. Chosen schools were from one multi academy trust (MAT) and were representative of an inner city school, urban school and a school in a rural location. An additional semi structured interview was conducted with the learning and development director of the MAT to explore teacher responses in more depth regarding the wider school context and environment in relation to teachers’ professional development and centralised curriculum planning needs. During focus group conversations teachers repeatedly referred to school curriculum and information related to supporting their needs being centrally planned and controlled and therefore did not always feel they could make an...