The impact of residential experiences on pupil progress and attainment in year six (10-11 year olds) in England: a Learning Away comparative research study

The comparative study in this design focusses on examining the provisional findings for the impact of residentials on progress and attainment indicated in previous research findings and the Learning Away evaluation report (Kendall & Rodger, 2015). This study was funded by a grant from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation to the Learning Away Consortium of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. It was undertaken in partnership with the residential provider, the Brathay Trust, and a Local Authority. The research took place with eight primary schools in the academic year 2017-2018

Research hubs: the theory-practice nexus

Outdoor learning aims to support the raising of standards by bringing researchers and practitioners closer together. A number of strategies have proved effective including the development of strong networks between researchers and practitioners, local action research hubs, participative enquiry and the development of practitioner researchers. Two recent projects in schools have been successful at using action research approaches to support professional development leading to increased take up and raised standards of their respective pedagogies. Regional Outdoor Learning research hubs have been designed and piloted. The impact that research conducted in these ways is evaluated to inform future practice

The impact of residential experiences on pupils’ cognitive and non-cognitive development in year six (10 – 11 year olds) in England

Using a comparative mixed methods approach, this study examines the impact of residential experiences on pupil cognitive and non-cognitive development in year six in England. SAT’s results and termly progress data in numeracy and literacy were collected. In addition, a ROPELOC survey, focus groups and interviews were used to assess non-cognitive outcomes. Progress and attainment data were found to be invalid for the purposes of this study partly due to the coarseness of the categories. The ROPELOC survey evidenced significant impact of the residentials in all but two of the fifteen categories and highly significant impact in seven areas. The findings add further support to the Learning Away learning pathway linking a range of non-cognitive outcomes developed through residential experiences with cognitive gains

Cumbria Innovations Platform: student research opportunities

Presented in the 'Employability and Graduateness' theme at this conference

Utility of decision tools for assessing plant health risks from management strategies in natural environments

Increased imports of plants and timber through global trade networks provide frequent opportunities for the introduction of novel plant pathogens that can cross‐over from commercial to natural environments, threatening native species and ecosystem functioning. Prevention or management of such outbreaks relies on a diversity of cross‐sectoral stakeholders acting along the invasion pathway. Yet, guidelines are often only produced for a small number of stakeholders, missing opportunities to consider ways to control outbreaks in other parts of the pathway. We used the infection of common juniper with the invasive pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri as a case study to explore the utility of decision tools for managing outbreaks of plant pathogens in the wider environment. We invited stakeholders who manage or monitor juniper populations or supply plants or management advice to participate in a survey exploring their awareness of, and ability to use, an existing decision tree produced by a coalition of statutory agencies augmented with new distribution maps designed by the authors. Awareness of the decision tree was low across all stakeholder groups including those planting juniper for restoration purposes. Stakeholders requested that decision tools contain greater detail about environmental conditions that increase host vulnerability to the pathogen, and clearer examples of when management practices implicated in pathogen introduction or spread should not be adopted. The results demonstrate the need to set clear objectives for the purpose of decision tools and to frame and co‐produce them with many different stakeholders, including overlooked groups, such as growers and advisory agents, to improve management of pathogens in the wider environment

Barriers to effective discharge planning: a qualitative study investigating the perspectives of frontline healthcare professionals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have shown that effective discharge planning is one of the key factors related to the quality of inpatient care and unnecessary hospital readmission. The perception and understanding of hospital discharge by health professionals is important in developing effective discharge planning. The aims of this present study were to explore the perceived quality of current hospital discharge from the perspective of health service providers and to identify barriers to effective discharge planning in Hong Kong.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Focus groups interviews were conducted with different healthcare professionals who were currently responsible for coordinating the discharge planning process in the public hospitals. The discussion covered three main areas: current practice on hospital discharge, barriers to effective hospital discharge, and suggested structures and process for an effective discharge planning system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants highlighted that there was no standardized hospital-wide discharge planning and policy-driven approach in public health sector in Hong Kong. Potential barriers included lack of standardized policy-driven discharge planning program, and lack of communication and coordination among different health service providers and patients in both acute and sub-acute care provisions which were identified as mainly systemic issues. Improving the quality of hospital discharge was suggested, including a multidisciplinary approach with clearly identified roles among healthcare professionals. Enhancement of health professionals' communication skills and knowledge of patient psychosocial needs were also suggested.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A systematic approach to develop the structure and key processes of the discharge planning system is critical in ensuring the quality of care and maximizing organization effectiveness. In this study, important views on barriers experienced in hospital discharge were provided. Suggestions for building a comprehensive, system-wide, and policy-driven discharge planning process with clearly identified staff roles were raised. Communication and coordination across various healthcare parties and provisions were also suggested to be a key focus.</p

Utility of decision tools for assessing plant health risks from management strategies in natural environments.

Publication status: PublishedFunder: Forest ResearchFunder: NatureScot; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100014610Funder: Cumbria WoodlandsFunder: Scottish ForestryFunder: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011027Funder: Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghFunder: Plant Health Cente ‐ Scotland's Centre of ExpertiseFunder: The Scottish Forestry TrustIncreased imports of plants and timber through global trade networks provide frequent opportunities for the introduction of novel plant pathogens that can cross-over from commercial to natural environments, threatening native species and ecosystem functioning. Prevention or management of such outbreaks relies on a diversity of cross-sectoral stakeholders acting along the invasion pathway. Yet, guidelines are often only produced for a small number of stakeholders, missing opportunities to consider ways to control outbreaks in other parts of the pathway. We used the infection of common juniper with the invasive pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri as a case study to explore the utility of decision tools for managing outbreaks of plant pathogens in the wider environment. We invited stakeholders who manage or monitor juniper populations or supply plants or management advice to participate in a survey exploring their awareness of, and ability to use, an existing decision tree produced by a coalition of statutory agencies augmented with new distribution maps designed by the authors. Awareness of the decision tree was low across all stakeholder groups including those planting juniper for restoration purposes. Stakeholders requested that decision tools contain greater detail about environmental conditions that increase host vulnerability to the pathogen, and clearer examples of when management practices implicated in pathogen introduction or spread should not be adopted. The results demonstrate the need to set clear objectives for the purpose of decision tools and to frame and co-produce them with many different stakeholders, including overlooked groups, such as growers and advisory agents, to improve management of pathogens in the wider environment