Congratulations to former WHS Assistant Headteacher, Dave Mcpartlan who recently graduated with a PhD degree. After leaving teaching in 2019 he embarked on a research career bringing together his interest in mental health and student voice. His research enabled young people to be co-research partners in projects which have enabled them to contribute to school improvement and has developed greater understanding of the personal growth students can undergo when given autonomy to carry out research.
This morning, Dr McPartlan came back into school to talk to Year 13 students about his journey through education and employment and how he came to do a PhD and what he has learnt about himself along the way. It was very inspiring to hear him talk about how students should believe in themselves despite what they may be told by others or the experiences they have.
He said, “It’s fantastic to come back and see students, some of whom took part in the research itself.”
At his graduation last month, Dr McPartlan commented “It felt particularly poignant for me that the William Howard School choir sang at the ceremony in the cathedral.”
Head Students, Ellie Wilson and Angus Loughrey accepted a copy of the research on behalf of the school, which was poignant given Ellie was involved in the research when she was in Year 10.
