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Who is the Research Associate Programme for?

Who can apply?

The programme is primarily aimed at headteachers or deputy and assistant headteachers but, exceptionally, those in other senior leadership roles may apply. The programme is also open to children’s centre leaders.

If you are a director of children’s service or aspirant DCS, please contact the programme manager regarding individual research opportunities.

If you are unsure about your eligibility please contact the programme manager.

The programme supports research into issues relating to the leadership of schools and children's centres, and therefore is not available to support research into other areas of activity, such as curriculum development.

Types of associateships

Individual enquiries

Individuals apply for a research associateship to carry out a small-scale research project. Associates participating in this strand will plan, implement and evaluate an action-focused inquiry which investigates and develops models of practice that might be transferable to other school leaders.

Team enquiries

Some school and children centre leaders apply to work as a small team of Research Associates to carry out research. Applicants for this strand must contact the programme manager, prior to submitting and application. Please contact researchassociates@nationalcollege.org.uk.

Themed projects

The College will, from time to time, approach school leaders directly to invite them to help us with our work. This assistance might be , for instance, involvement in gathering case study data, or interrogation of data and follow-up of issues arising from a research project around a major strand of National College work. Details of this are advertised on the National College website as they occur.