As practitioner researchers we are keen to support modes of professional development that empower teachers and support their sense of autonomy. Journal Clubs are democratic in nature and allow staff with different levels of experience and authority to engage in evidence informed discussion .
Journal Clubs facilitate both the sharing of ideas and the application of research to practice. They can also be a gateway for developing a deeper interest or career path in education research, providing an opportunity to network with like minded individuals and to explore new research methodologies, theoretical frameworks and develop an understanding of the language of research. They are in a sense a dialogic form of professional peer to peer support.
In order to encourage others to set up clubs and to model this way of working our SIGÂ facilitated an ambitious project, a live, virtual journal club.
Having received multiple suggestions, the following paper was chosen ‘Talking about School Transition (TaST): an emotional-centred intervention to support children over primary-secondary school transition. Pastoral Care in Education’ ²ú²âÌýCharlotte Bagnal.Â