History

The Centre for Inquiry and Research in Cognition, Learning and Teaching in Sussex (CIRCLETS) was formally established under the leadership of Professor Judy Sebba within the Department of Education on the 16th June 2008. It now has a substantial portfolio of completed and ongoing research projects focused on diverse aspects of UK school education.

Vision

CIRCLETS aims to bring together research and practice in classrooms and schools and further education centres with the aspiration to improve the life chances of children and young people in the UK. How education might contribute to social equity is, therefore, at the heart of its work. The centre has strong links to Initial Teacher Education with the result that practitioner enquiry and research capacity development is integral to its work. Shared interests with colleagues in sister research centres within the School of Education and Social Work inform our research through viewing the child or young person in a wider context.

The centre has an active interest in the relationship between research, policy and practice. Teachers and learners are involved in discussions about research priorities, data collection in schools and reporting of findings, wherever appropriate.

The centre adapts methodological approaches to fit the needs of each project. Its expertise and approaches to research includes systematic reviews, practitioner action research, school and classroom ethnography, in depth case study research, and external evaluation. Its diverse projects have incorporated both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

Our members draw on a range of theoretical resources, some based in sociocultural theories of learning, while others draw on post-structural perspectives to explore pupil and teacher identity construction. In these ways, the centre seeks to give recognition to the theory laden nature of all teaching and learning.