'Hard Times': A narrative investigation into the retention of outstanding teachers.

Peel, Sarah (2014) 'Hard Times': A narrative investigation into the retention of outstanding teachers. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)]

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Abstract

Abstract



This study employs both written and spoken narratives to unearth the

factors underpinning the decision made by five outstanding teachers to

leave the profession. Despite teacher recruitment numbers increasing

turnover rates remain high, provoking calls for further research into the

retention of the most successful teachers.



This research asks whether the success and experience of the participants,

including their promotions to managerial roles, negatively impacted upon

their efficacy and commitment. It also considers the role played by their

political and institutional leaders in their retention.



In listening to and analysing the participants' stories, a series of tensions

are arrived at regarding the factors found to have affected their decision

to resign. The most significant of which is the emphasis placed on

performativity by their political and institutional leaders. This dominant

agenda conflicted with the intrinsic motivations of the participants, their

ideology and their desire for professional autonomy in their managerial

roles, as well as in their classrooms.



The study concludes therefore that performance based policy, the support

given to this agenda by their school leaders, as well as the effect of the

participants' own career development had the greatest impact on their

decision to leave the profession, despite their success and experience

within it.

Item Type: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Depositing User: Gigg, Diane
Date Deposited: 26 Jan 2015 11:57
Last Modified: 15 Oct 2017 11:03
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/28231

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