This report outlines the impact of the Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)project at Burnside College, a collaborative initiative that empowers young people to lead research on issues affecting their lives. Launched in late 2024, the project focused on improving the school transition experience.
Key Highlights of the YPAR Project:
- Student Leadership: Nine Sixth-form "Young Researchers" (YRs) led the project, designing research and mentoring a cohort of Year 7 pupils to investigate ways to improve the transition process.
- Positive Impact on Younger Students:Most Year 7 participants enjoyed the project and valued working with the Sixth-formers. They reported feeling "heard and understood" and expressed a strong desire for the school to use similar approaches in the future.
- Skill Development for Mentors: The Sixth-form YRs gained crucial skills for university and future careers, including public speaking, data analysis, problem-solving, and adaptive communication.
- Enhanced Wellbeing: For many YRs, the project boosted their confidence and provided a sense of pride and belonging within the school community.
- Benefits to the School: Staff noted that the project empowered students to suggest positive changes to school life and helped the college gain a deeper understanding of student concerns regarding transition.
Looking Forward
While the project faced some logistical challenges, such as staff scheduling, the overall feedback from students and staff was highly positive. The project culminated in a successful celebratory conference in October 2025, highlighting the innovative and meaningful work achieved by the students at Burnside College.
