Advanced Skills Teachers in England

• In Event: Roundtable Session 59
  In Roundtable Session: Teachers’ Perceptions of Teaching: Implications for Educational Policy and Reforms

Abstract

Teachers are recognised as the most important variable in any high performing educational system thus a number of international policy initiatives acknowledge and reward expert teachers. This paper explores the Advanced Skills Teacher in England from the perspective of the teacher. Drawing on large scale mixed methods research, it explores the motivations and experiences of these teachers. In light of a new UK Government and growing uncertainty over the future of the AST, the findings from this paper will contribute to international public policy debate around the value of recognising and rewarding teacher expertise, the role of expertise in sustaining learning, as well as the ways that alternative career routes to leadership may promote teacher recruitment, retention and well being.

Authors

• Andrew C. Goodwyn, University of Reading

• Carol Fuller, The University of Reading

• Ellie Francis-Brophy, The University of Reading