Example teacher training dissertation topic 5:

An evaluation of the need for professional training in Personal, Social, Health and Economic education.

Focusing predominantly upon those within the secondary sector this dissertation interviews NQTs within their first four years in the profession. It is expected that those teaching within the secondary sector will possess at least a 2:2 in their chosen subject specialism but, increasingly, subject-specific staff are also required to deliver programmes of PSHE or citizenship through either form time or dedicated lessons. Given this, this study seeks to assess the extent to which such practitioners feel qualified to teach such subject matter and questions whether initial teacher training for the secondary sector should include compulsory modules on PSHE and citizenship as well as individual secondary subjects.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Evans, C. and Evans, B. (2007). ‘More than just worksheets?: A study of the confidence of newly qualified teachers of English in teaching Personal, Social and Health Education in secondary schools’, Pastoral Care in Education, Vol. 25(4), pp. 42-50.
• Formby, E. and Wolstenholme, C. (2012). ”If there’s going to be a subject that you don’t have to do …’ Findings from a mapping study of PSHE education in English secondary schools’, Pastoral Care in Education, Vol. 30(1), pp. 5-18.
• Mead, N. (2004). ‘The provision for Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship in school-based elements of primary initial teacher education’, Pastoral Care in Education, Vol. 22(1), pp. 19-26.