PhD studentship - Inclusive Teaching of Early Numeracy (i-TEN) in mainstream primary schools

PhD studentship – Inclusive Teaching of Early Numeracy (i-TEN) in mainstream primary schools

The Centre for Educational Development Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) at the University of Warwick has a fully-funded full time PhD scholarship available for October 2023 entry. This studentship is a partnership with Torfaen Local Authority: ALN (Additional Learning Needs) and Inclusion Service and GwE, North Wales Regional School Improvement Service through the Warwick Collaborative Fellowship scheme.

The i-TEN (inclusive Teaching of Early Numeracy) programme is adapted from Mathematics Recovery (MR). MR is a comprehensive programme for teaching numeracy to children struggling with early numeracy skills. Research to date has developed and evaluated an adapted version of MR that can be used even with children with the most significant learning needs. This PhD programme will extend the research to evaluate using i-TEN with disadvantaged children in mainstream school settings, to support an inclusive approach to early numeracy teaching and learning.

The successful student will undertake three linked pieces of research for their PhD, representing a rounded training in intervention evaluation methods.

The three research projects will be:

1. a randomised controlled trial mixed methods evaluation of the first three developmental stages of i-TEN for Key Stage 1 children,
2. feasibility testing of two later developmental stages of i-TEN for Key Stage 2 children, and
3. A small-scale pilot RCT in Welsh medium schools using lesson plans that have been translated into Welsh.

The student will also participate in co-production work with teachers and educators and the wider research team throughout their PhD.

Applicants should already have completed (or almost completed) a relevant research-intensive Masters degree or have at least the equivalent level of research experience. Applicants’ first degrees are expected to be of an upper second class honours level as a minimum, and must be in a relevant discipline – Psychology, or a closely related discipline.

The successful student will be supervised by Dr Corinna Grindle and Dr Richard Watkins (from GwE) and supported by Tracey Pead from Torfaen Local Authority.

The studentship is for full-time study and open only to applicants who meet the University of Warwick’s criteria for home/EU PhD fees. The studentship funding is available for 3.5 years. The studentship covers PhD study fees and an annual stipend at the level recommended by the Economic and Social Research Council for a maintenance grant. The successful student will be based at the University of Warwick in Coventry.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Corinna Grindle: c.grindle@warwick.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: 4pm UK time on Monday 3^rd July 2023.

To apply, please send a single document (pdf or MS Word) containing: a cover letter detailing your interest in and suitability for the studentship, a full academic CV, and the names and contact details of two academic referees who can comment on your suitability for PhD study. The application document should be submitted to diana.smith@warwick.ac.uk

INTERVIEWS:  Interviews will be held in the Centre for Educational Development Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) at the University of Warwick on Tuesday 18^th July 2023

Advert information