Engaging With Children and Young People About Their School Experience: Co-designing a ‘Talking Tree’ Research Tool to Investigate Why School Works for Some Students, but Not Others

Abstract

This project sought to co-design a data collection tool with students disenfranchised with mainstream schooling, that could be used to find out from other students why school works for some students but not others. Young people often think about and experience school differently and may have different ideas about what is important to ask and how experiences could be changed. Engaging with those for whom school was not working provides invaluable insight into what they feel matters about the school experience and potential opportunities where trajectories could be changed. Insights from staff supporting these students are also included. This project placed student views and experiences as central to the project and co-developed through student-centred co-design a ‘Talking Tree’ tool that can be used to facilitate complex conversations in a variety of contexts about why school works for some students, but not others.