Listening to and working with students and school staff
The North West London Schools Research Network
In partnership with the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network Northwest London, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North West London, and Imperial College London, we were proud to be part of a collaborative initiative between schools across North West London from 2022 until 2024.
The network aimed to improve the health of school children by building new knowledge, bridging gaps in research, applying knowledge to practice, and sharing learning across the network.
Mental and physical health problems among children and young people are on the rise and it is in this context the Schools Research Network was developed.
Project status: involvement completed
Photo credit: Uxbridge College
The challenge
As young people face an increasing burden on their health, NIHR, the research arm of the NHS, is expanding its support into non NHS settings. A relevant programme of research is needed to identify their health-related needs.
What we’re doing
We put the foundations in place for a sustainable and supportive network with a focus on collaboration. Listen to Act’s work involved inviting and facilitating a process for network members to take part in UK wide and global research studies that are relevant to them, facilitating the process.
Results
Over 60 schools from eight boroughs signed up for the programme, with a high uptake of research studies. Research topics included exercise, eating disorders, and mental health, with relevant training provided to staff, students, and parents.
“Listen to Act have been instrumental in helping us engage with young people regarding their mental health and supporting us in making sure their voices are heard.”
What the network has achieved so far…
Together, we have:
Supported the recruitment of 60 schools from across eight boroughs to take part in the network.
Facilitated the involvement of 2,385 students in research.
Attended three community events across the region to promote the network and to capture more insights of local people and their health priorities.
Lead on the creation of network newsletters and digital content.
Created a steering group for the network to bring students and staff together. The group provides opportunities for participants to influence future research, discuss the feasibility of current research, and to gather a strategic steer on what the barriers are for involvement. Two meetings have been held so far.
Watch one of our young steering group members talk about how young people take the lead in her school to support their peers.
Exciting new research is regularly added to the portfolio covering all kinds of health topics. There is a focus on upskilling and training staff and students to support them.
“The NWL Schools Research Network has grown from strength to strength since its inaugural event. We are delighted to have 52 schools involved, looking after a total of 41,880 pupils. To date, we are the only one of its kind in England. As such, we have been very fortunate to collaborate with stakeholders from across England to ensure that young people in NWL are offered the opportunity to participate in research that’s relevant to them.”
Join the Schools Research Network
For information about new studies, training and opportunities for teaching staff, pupils, and parents
click here.
“I have really enjoyed working with the CRN and we are really pleased to have such a high number of schools on our books. This is giving us the opportunity to listen to – and engage with – a huge number of young people, parents and staff from different areas and communities across the region which has been a real pleasure. The studies our members are involved in are being very well received and specifically for me, I have had some profoundly interesting conversations with some our members and I look forward to more. We have some exciting plans for the new term to grow our network and to offer more of what our members need to strengthen the sense of community, and crucially, share learning across it”