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Our research

The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy (0-11 years)'s research aims to transform the lives of children through exemplary pedagogy.

Research themes 

Children’s agency

Agency is defined as a socially situated capacity to act. This capacity is central to children’s development, and their ability to lead happy, successful lives. Evidence demonstrates that having a sense of agency and being able to exercise agency to shape learning experience contributes to children’s academic achievement and socio-emotional wellbeing. 

CHANT graphic. Text: CHANT Children's Agency in the National Curriculum. Credit: HHCP/IOE.

Our research on children’s agency aims to develop a better understanding of the impact of educational policies, practices, and environments on children’s agency and its role in helping children to succeed in school and beyond. 

Our research on children’s agency:

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Curriculum

The curriculum is what children experience every day in their early years settings and primary schools. National curricula reflect society’s aspirations for their children and young people, and assessments is an important part of curricula.

Books on a table. Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash.

Our research provides evidence on better ways to understand and create curriculum and assessment systems, at national levels in policy, and in schools and classrooms. 

We work on curricula holistically but also in relation to curriculum areas such as language and literacy, creativity, and the arts. Children’s and teachers’ agency, through curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, are a vital focus for our work. 

Our research on the curriculum includes: 

Curriculum design

Language and literacy

Assessment

Creativity and the arts

Children’s and teachers’ agency

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Social justice

Our research focuses on how pedagogy can be improved for all children but particularly those living in disadvantaged circumstances. HHCP research seeks to address inequalities and injustices that may prevent children’s progress in education, including those related to the disparities in experience arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Colourful hands mural. Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Our research on social justice:

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