The School Voices Research-Practice Partnership (School Voices RPP) is an initiative between University of Southampton researchers and schools in the city of Southampton. The purpose of this Research-Practice Partnership is:

To support schools in responding to student diversity and to improve learning outcomes for all, whilst at the same time promoting inclusion. This will be achieved by focusing on students’ voices and dialogues between teachers and children and young people through participatory research approaches.

Building on earlier research led by Prof Kiki Messiou, which included schools in this country and internationally (https://reachingthehardtoreach.eu/), and based on the findings of a pilot study with a network of schools in Southampton, a strategy for a city-wide initiative was developed in September 2023. The strategy was co-developed between researchers, school leaders and key members of staff that were involved in the pilot study from: St John’s Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and Redbridge Primary School.  These three schools are now the hub schools, supporting the expansion of the research ideas within their own schools and in other schools in the city of Southampton.

The strategy focuses on reaching out to all schools in Southampton (early years, primary, secondary, and special schools), and will expand more widely in the future. Existing links with Stanford University and schools in California and other European countries will be strengthened through the School Voices Research-Practice Partnership.