What have we learned?

Taking part in the enquiry process has been a positive experience for us as a school. It enabled useful professional discussions and learning to take place around the concept of blended learning, which we intend to use as a stimulus for further work in this area. It allowed staff with a range of roles and experience to identify and discuss the benefits and challenges of this approach, and to consider solutions to these potential barriers themselves. This idea of teacher agency will be particularly important as we continue our work to develop a school level curriculum in preparation for Curriculum for Wales 2022.

Beyond the scope of the enquiry question itself, the process has also demonstrated the value of working collaboratively with colleagues in other schools, particularly through the support we have received from our Lead Enquiry School, Rhws Primary. As such, we feel confident that we would be able to lead further enquiry projects at Peter Lea in the future, exploring areas which are of particular relevance to our school’s journey of continuous improvement. Participation in the enquiry process has also enabled staff, including myself as the Lead Enquirer, to view professional enquiry as something which is less daunting and more manageable than previously thought, particularly with regard to the literature review and ethical considerations.