Beginning teachers’ experiences of preparation & additional well-being support throughout initial teacher education

Cook, Laura 2017. Beginning teachers’ experiences of preparation & additional well-being support throughout initial teacher education. DEdPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF Download (7MB) | Preview
	PDF - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (246kB)

Abstract

Beginning Teacher (BT) attrition in the UK has been described as problematically high (Hughes, 2012). Whilst many contributing factors towards teacher attrition have been identified (Schaefer (2013), Foreman-Peck (2015) suggests that the role of well-being, and the contextual-level issues that influence it, are frequently overlooked. Given that many of the same reasons are cited by BTs for both negative well-being and premature attrition (Harfitt, 2015), Hamilton and Clandinin (2011) identify research into BT well- being as a worthwhile area of study. This study adopted a pragmatist, mixed-methods approach in exploring BTs’ experiences of preparation and additional well-being support throughout Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Wales at two time-points: end of ITE (Time 1) and approximately eight weeks into teaching (Time 2). At Time 1, online- questionnaires, containing both quantitative and qualitative questions, captured the experiences of 109 BTs. Six BTs also participated in semi-structured interviews. At Time 2, 34 BTs from the original questionnaire-cohort completed a follow-up questionnaire, whilst five of the original interviewees participated in a follow-up interview. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted (Smith, Flowers & Larkin, 2009). The IPA-process utilised by Snelgrove, Edwards and Liossi (2013) was also adopted as a guide for analysing interview data from two time-points. Findings outlined a need for more in-depth preparation during ITE; particularly in relation to some of the aspects of teaching that can have a detrimental impact on well- being. Also found was the need for more direct well-being support for BTs, focusing first on reducing the stigma associated with teacher well-being and increasing communication between ITE staff, placement-school staff and BTs. Recommendations for developments within ITE to support BTs’ well-being from the outset of their careers are made, with consideration as to how educational psychologists might contribute.

Item Type:	Thesis (DEdPsy)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Funders:	Welsh Government
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 September 2017
Date of Acceptance:	20 September 2017
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2021 16:33
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/104925

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item