Warren-Smith, Mark (2019) Evaluating student spiritual health within a grammar school for boys: implications for school self-evaluation and leadership development. EdD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the concept of ‘spiritual health’, with a view to evaluating its efficacy and developmental potential in relation to general educational concerns and particularly those of school leadership. The focus of this research is to hear the voice of those being educated within a boys’ rural grammar school. The concept of spiritual health is explored primarily through the work of Professor L.J. Francis. The exploration involves considering the relevant academic literature in constructing the theory and in operationalising the theory in the spiritual health questionnaire. This questionnaire operationalises four distinct domains of spiritual health (personal, communal, environmental and transcendental).

The dissertation viewed from a professional standpoint how the concept of spiritual health may be used to discern a quantitative understanding of the wellbeing of pupils within a school. This approach was tested by exploring the responses of 356 students to the spiritual health questionnaire. Then these quantitative data were brought into dialogue with four sources of qualitative data reflecting the evaluative processes within the school.

The four sources of qualitative data included both internal and external approaches of evaluation. These were the school’s own internal evaluation document, an OfSTED report, the Good School’s Guide, and minutes from a discussion of these issues within the Student Council. These four sources of qualitative evaluation were reviewed systematically working with the spiritual health questionnaire. Each of the four domains were considered independently (personal, communal, environmental and transcendental).

This process allowed for an evaluative discussion engaging quantitative material as a basis for a broader mixed-methods approach. Such an undertaking enables pupils to consider their own wellbeing, allows stakeholders, such as OfSTED or the parent body, to form a judgement on such matters. It also offers direction to school leaders as to the efficacy of their systems and future developments. The outcome of this study advocates the further use of the spiritual health questionnaire as a means of gathering data from small and particular cohorts, as well as larger bodies. This makes for a precise tool in education.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (EdD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology > BV1460 Religious Education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	School children -- Religious life -- Great Britain, Spiritual life -- Christianity, Educational leadership, Spiritual formation -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Great Britain, Christian education
Official Date:	July 2019
Dates:	Date Event July 2019 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Education Studies
Thesis Type:	EdD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Tania ap Siôn ; Francis, Leslie J.
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	x, 230 leaves
Language:	eng

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