London Lives 

What is London Lives?

LERU is working in partnership with Henry Compton School, Kidbrooke School, and Mulberry School for Girls on an innovative and empowering student research programme. From across these three schools students are developing and leading research projects based on what is most critical to them as young people living in London. Over the course of 2009-10 students have been trained as researchers and supported in the delivery of findings and dissemination activities.

Methodology

The strategy used to develop the young people as researchers involves a process of training, in-school support and on-line remote support. This approach was inspired by a London Challenge project, Re-engaging Disaffected Students in Learning (2005-2008) led by Professor Kathryn Riley, and more recently by a joint IOE, International Unit at the Department for Education, TSIA programme, led by Dr Karen Edge. We would particularly like to thank Dr Karen Edge for the creative tools and methodology which have contributed to the success of London Lives. 

London Lives Student Voice Conference

The students from the London Lives research teams presented their findings at a conference at the IOE on 7 May 2010. Over 60 people attended the conference and a panel including Fiona Millar and Professor Michael Reiss responded to the students' presentations. Access documents relating to the conference here:

Conference press release

Conference programme

Conference report (coming soon)

Students' presentations (powerpoint documents): Henry Compton, Kidbrooke, Mulberry 

Get involved

We are looking for more schools to take part in this project. If you would like to take part or just want more information on the project, please contact Angharad Jones, LERU administrator, directly: a.jones@ioe.ac.uk  

Programme objectives

London Lives puts young people in three London schools centre stage by developing their skills as researchers. The project has three primary and interrelated objectives:

·         Knowledge and Understanding: To enable the three schools to understand more about the lives and expectations of young people  in ways that will enable them to  respond, even more effectively, to their needs

·         Personal Growth: To develop young peoples’ personal capacities, sense of self-autonomy and self-awareness

·         Sustainability and Development: To develop an approach which is sustainable once the IOE research team has completed their inputs and which also contributes to teachers’ professional development and growth and to school improvement

Research team

James Lawrie is the lead researcher. The leadership team also includes Professor Kathryn Riley and Dr. Dina Mehmedbegovic. School based colleagues take the lead within each school and are central to the success of this programme.