Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds Beckett University Sponsored PHD Studentship in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust - Physical education in alternative provision schools: What, why and how?
Youth Sport Trust and the Carnegie School of Sport are looking to recruit a highly motivated individual to undertake a PhD studentship 'Physical education in alternative provision schools: What, why and how?'
- Full-time
- We fund UK fees and provide a stipend of £17,668
- Start date: October 2023
- Location: UK (Leeds based)
- Funding note: The studentship has a bursary of £17,668 per annum (pro-rata into 12 monthly payments) plus UK Fees paid initially for a period of three years
Leeds Beckett University, in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust are seeking to recruit a highly motivated individual to explore physical education in alternative provision schools. This research will likely involve using creative and arts-based methods to engage with pupils in alternative provision schools. Candidates should therefore have an interest and/or background in physical education, alongside a passion for working with children and young people in research contexts. For further details of the project outline, please see “Project overview” below.
The Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University is purposefully driven by a focus on working together to make a positive difference. Our strength is the breadth and depth of our research, which is underpinned by the disciplinary experience of our colleagues and students. Pursuing an inclusive and ambitious research agenda, we cross the broad spectrum of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Our research culture is founded upon a genuine commitment and capacity to work with others on real-world applied problems, to achieve impact beyond academia. From our leading work on talent development, coaching practice, and anti-doping, to our research in gender equality, ageing and obesity, we work to apply our knowledge to address some of the key issues facing our communities today.
View more about our Carnegie School of Sport Building and Facilities
Funding will consist of UK full tuition fees for three years and the award of a living stipend at UK Research Council rates (£17,668 per annum pro-rata into 12 monthly payments). Funding will be subject to satisfactory progress.
A laptop will be provided and the opportunity to apply for funding to support the research project.
Building on recent research, this novel PhD will explore how physical education is delivered and experienced in alternative provision schools from the perspectives of both young people and key adult stakeholders. It will examine the different pedagogical practices used for the delivery of physical education (across the different alternative provision contexts – e.g., alternative provision academies, pupil referral units, hospital schools) and as a result, how these support practitioners to develop feelings of belonging, acceptance and value among pupils. The PhD will likely involve prolonged engagement with young people in alternative provision schools and as such, draw on a host of creative, arts-based methods to help elicit pupil voice. A key outcome of the PhD will be to identify best practice guidelines for the delivery of physical education in alternative provision schools.
Hear more about the project from Dr Thomas Quarmby here
Research Team:
Director of Studies: Dr. Thomas Quarmby
Supervisor: Prof. Anthony Maher (School of Education)
Advisor : Dr. Oliver Hooper (Loughborough University)
Cullen, K. & Monroe, J. (2010) Using positive relationships to engage the disengaged: An educational psychologist-initiated project involving professional sports input to a Pupil Referral Unit. Educational & Child Psychology, 27 (1): 64-78
Department for Education (2013) Alternative provision statutory guidance for local authorities. London: Department of Education
Holt, N. (2016) Positive youth development through sport. London: Routledge
House of Commons Education Library (2018) Alternative provision education in England: Briefing paper. Number 08522. [Online] Available here
McCluskey, G., Riddell, S. & Weedon, E. (2015) Children's rights, school exclusion and alternative educational provision, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19 (6): 595-607
Quarmby, T., Maher, A. & Hooper, O. (2022) The role and value of physical education and sport in alternative provision schools. Leeds: Leeds Beckett university. [Online] Available here
Quarmby, T., Sandford, R., Green, R., Hooper, O. & Avery, J. (2022) Developing evidence-informed principles for trauma-aware pedagogies in physical education, Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 27 (4): 440-454
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application and project proposal with Dr Thomas Quarmby t.quarmby@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
As part of your application, please provide a CV, cover letter and research proposal. The proposal should align to the above theme and include a brief literature review related to this project, with an outline of the studies that you would propose to the answer the aims of the PhD (maximum 5 pages single spaced).
We can only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:
- Your application form (include the project reference YST)
- Your research proposal, statement of purpose and CV on the Research Proposal Template
- Copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts
- Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) further information can be found on our Graduate School FAQs
- Copy of your passport
Email the documentation above to researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is midnight on 4 June 2023
Candidates must be available for interview on 12 July 2023
For candidates outside the UK. Please ensure that you contact our colleagues in Research Admissions prior to starting your application. They will go through the requirements that will need to be undertaken for you to study in the UK. Research Admissions can be contacted on researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Who to contact
-
To discuss your application and project proposal please contact Dr Thomas Quarmby t.quarmby@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
-
For questions on the application process please contact researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
For candidates outside the UK. Please ensure that you contact our colleagues in Research Admissions prior to starting your application. They will go through the requirements that will need to be undertaken for you to study in the UK. Research Admissions can be contacted on researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
