An exploration of the primary to secondary school transition of deaf students

Yates, Mary-Lynn (2024). An exploration of the primary to secondary school transition of deaf students. University of Birmingham. Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.

	Yates2024ApEdChildPsyDVol1_Redacted.pdf Text - Redacted Version Available under License All rights reserved. Download (7MB)
	Yates2024ApEdChildPsyDVol2.pdf Text - Accepted Version Available under License All rights reserved. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Within the field of deaf education research, there is a lack of research that has explored the primary-to-secondary school transition. This thesis comprises a case study involving three deaf pupils undertaking the transfer from a specialist Deaf Resource Provision into differing secondary schools, utilising the bioecological model of human development and associated Process-Person-Context-Time framework. Questionnaire data was collected from the pupils and their parents to explore their pre- and post-transfer views and to illuminate pupil transition experiences. This was analysed alongside pupil wellbeing data, staff questionnaire data and documents relevant to the setting and wider policy. The aim of this multi-perspective case study was to identify personal and contextual influences upon pupil experiences of transition. Using reflexive thematic analysis, multiple themes were identified that were indicative of positive transition experiences, shaped by several potentially contributory factors. These included factors related to proximal processes (e.g. pupil relationships), person (e.g. pupil attitudes towards transition), context (e.g. home-school mesosystems, macrosystemic policy) and time. Themes pertaining to time considered impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic such as restricted school access and increased technology usage. From this, a number of practice principles are suggested which may help to facilitate positive primary-to-secondary school transitions for deaf pupils.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.

Supervisor(s):