Caroline Sharp

BSc
Principal Research Officer
c.sharp@nfer.ac.uk
+44 (0)1753 637321

Caroline has worked at the NFER for several years, and is currently a Principal Research Officer in the Research, Evaluation and Information Department. Her responsibilities include the direction of research projects and line management of research staff. She has responsibility for coordinating the Local Government Education and Children’s Services research programme and manages reviews for the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO). She is a member of the Foundation’s Impact and Dissemination Working Group and has delivered training courses on research skills, including writing, interviewing and literature reviews. She is a member of the editorial panel for Practical Research in Education (Pre).

Prior experience and professional background

Caroline has a degree in Sociology from the University of Leicester. She took up a research position at the NFER soon after graduation. During her time at the NFER, she has been involved in numerous research and evaluation projects in diverse areas, but much of her work has focused on one of three areas, namely: early years and primary education; arts, creative and cultural education; and study support. She is particularly interested in making research accessible, and in practitioners’ use of research.

In relation to early years and primary education, Caroline’s work includes studies on the effects of season of birth and school starting age on children’s educational attainment and children’s transition from the Foundation Stage to key stage 1.

Study support has become recognised as an important aspect of educational provision. Caroline’s work in this area includes a review of research on study support, a qualitative study of the effects of study support, a review of the effects of homework and several evaluation studies of Playing for Success.

Caroline’s work on arts, creativity and cultural education includes studies of arts training for primary teachers, instrumental music provision and schools broadcasts; an evaluation of the work of artists in schools; a review of research into creativity in the early years; and the national evaluation of Creative Partnerships: and two international studies into the aims and organisation of arts, creative and cultural education in schools.

Caroline’s interest in practitioners’ use of research led to a study of local authorities’ role in encouraging schools to use research and a research and development programme investigating the Research-engaged School.

Main research interests

Arts, creative and cultural education, early childhood, out of school hours learning, research-engaged school.

Other research interests

School workforce; school leadership

Selected Publications

Coghlan, M., Bergeron, C., White, K., Sharp, C., Morris, M. and Rutt, S. (2009). Narrowing the Gap in Outcomes for Young Children through Effective Practices in the Early Years: Early Years Knowledge Review 1. London: Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services [online].

Shuayb, M., Sharp, C., Judkins, M. and Hetherington M. (2009). Using Appreciative Inquiry in Educational Research: Possibilities and Limitations. Report. Slough: NFER.

Shuayb, M., Sharp, C., Judkins, M. and Hetherington, M. (2009). Young People's Perceptions of Effective Community Cohesion Practices. Slough: NFER.

Coghlan, M., Sanders, D., Morris, M., O'Donnell, L., Benefield, P., Harper, A. and Sharp, C. (2008). Narrowing the Gap in Outcomes for Children from the Most Excluded Families through Inclusive Practice in Early Years Settings: Scoping Review 3. London: Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services [online].

Lord, P., Springate, I., Atkinson, M., Haines, B., Morris, M., O'Donnell, L., Benefield, P., Harper, A. and Sharp, C. (2008). Improving Development Outcomes for Children through Effective Practice in Integrating Early Years Services: Scoping Review 1. London: Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services [online].

Kendall, L., Morrison, J., Sharp, C. and Yeshanew, T. (2008). The Impact of Creative Partnerships on Pupil Behaviour [online].

Kendall, L., Morrison, J., Yeshanew, T. and Sharp, C. (2008). The Longer-Term Impact of Creative Partnerships on the Attainment of Young People: Results from 2005 and 2006. [online].

Riggall, A. and Sharp, C. (2008). The Structure of Primary Education: England and Other Countries (Primary Review Research Survey 9/1). [online].

Shuayb, M., Judkins, M. and Sharp, C. (2008). 'Young people identify what works in community cohesion', NFER News, 1, 3.

Shuayb, M., Sharp, C. and Judkins, M. (2008). 'Tool-kit 7: using appreciative inquiry in research', Practical Research for Education, 40, 8–14.

Waldman, J., Bergeron, C., Morris, M., O'Donnell, L., Benefield, P., Harper, A. and Sharp, C. (2008). Improving Children's Attainment through a Better Quality of Family-Based Support for Early Learning: Scoping Review 2. London: Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services [online].

Wilson, R., Sharp, C., Shuayb, M., Kendall, L., Wade, P. and Easton, C. (2008). Research into the Deployment and Impact of Support Staff Who Have Achieved HLTA Status. A Model of Good Practice. Slough: NFER [online].

Bielby, G., Sharp, C., Shuayb, M., Teeman, D., Keys, W. and Benefield, P. (2007). Recruitment and Retention on Initial Teacher Training: a Systematic Review. Final Report. London: Training and Development Agency for Schools. [online].

Riggall, A., White, K. and Sharp, C. (2007). 'Getting young people from deprived communities IntoUniversity', NFER News, Summer, 6–7.

Sharp, C. (2007). Making Research Make a Difference: Teacher Research. A Small-Scale Study to Look at Impact. Chelmsford: Essex County Council, Forum for Learning and Research/Enquiry [online].

Sharp, C., Chamberlain, T., Morrison, J. and Filmer-Sankey, C. (2007). Playing for Success: an Evaluation of its Long Term Impact (DfES Research Report 844). London: DfES [online].

Taggart, G., Whitby, K. and Sharp, C. (2007). 'Curriculum progression in the arts.' In: Lewins, A. and Silver, C. (Eds) Using Software in Qualitative Research: a Step-by-Step Guide. London: Sage.

White, K., Eames, A. and Sharp, C. (2007). A Qualitative Evaluation of the IntoUniversity Programme. Slough: NFER [online].

White, G. and Sharp, C. (2007). '"It is different ... because you are getting older and growing up." How children make sense of the transition to Year 1', European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 15, 1, 87–102.

Wilson, R., Sharp, C., Shuayb, M., Kendall, L., Wade, P. and Easton, C. (2007). Research into the Deployment and Impact of Support Staff Who Have Achieved HLTA Status: Final Report. [online].

Eames, A., Benton, T., Sharp, C. and Kendall, L. (2006). The Impact of Creative Partnerships on the Attainment of Young People: Final Report. [online].

Eames, A., Sharp, C., Sanders, D. and Tomlinson, K. (2006). Using Research in your School and your Teaching: Research-engaged Professional Practice (Teachers' Professional Learning Framework No 6). London: General Teaching Council for England.

Easton, C., Eames, A., Wilson, R., Walker, M. and Sharp, C. (2006). Evaluation of the National Remodelling Team: Year 3. Final Report. [online].

Sanders, D., Sharp, C., Eames, A. and Tomlinson, K. (2006). Supporting Research-engaged Schools: a Researcher's Role. [online].

Sharp, C. (2006). 'Becoming a research-engaged school: using whiteboards and ICT', Practical Research for Education, 35, 56–61.

Sharp, C. (2006). 'Tool-kit 3: are you asking the right questions?' Practical Research for Education, 36, 5–12.

Sharp, C. and Downing, D. (2006). 'What use is research?', Education Journal, 98, 20.

Sharp, C., Eames, A., Sanders, D. and Tomlinson, K. (2006). Leading a Research-Engaged School. Nottingham: National College for School Leadership.

Sharp, C., Handscomb, G., Eames, A., Sanders, D. and Tomlinson, K. (2006). Advising Research-Engaged Schools: a Role for Local Authorities. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C., Pye, D., Blackmore, J., Brown, E., Eames, A., Easton, C., Filmer-Sankey, C., Tabary, A., Whitby, K., Wilson, R. and Benton, T. (2006). National Evaluation of Creative Partnerships: Final Report. [online].

Sharp, C., White, G., Burge, B. and Eames, A. (2006). 'Making a successful transition to year 1', Practical Research for Education, 35, 20–27.

Sharp, C., White, G., Burge, B. and Eames, A. (2006). 'Trouble-free transition', Child Education, 83, 4, 20–21.

Eames, A. and Sharp, C. (2005). 'Becoming a research-engaged school: a journey into new and exciting territory', NFER News, Winter, 4–5.

Easton, C., Wilson, R. and Sharp, C. (2005). National Remodelling Team: Evaluation Study (Year 2): Final Report. [online].

Hobson, A.J. and Sharp, C. (2005). 'Head to head: a systematic review of the research evidence on mentoring new head teachers', School Leadership and Management, 25, 1, 25–42.

Sanders, D., White, G., Burge, B., Sharp, C., Eames, A., McEune, R. and Grayson, H. (2005). A Study of the Transition from the Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1 (DfES Research Report SSU/2005/FR/013). London: DfES [online].

Sanders, D., White, K., Sharp, C. and Taggart, G. (2005). Evaluation of the NERF Bulletin Trial: Phase Two Report. Final Report. Slough: NFER [online].

Sharp, C. (2005). 'Evaluating the impact of Playing for Success.' In: Department for Education and Skills (Ed) Department for Education and Skills Research Conference 2004. Research in Education: What Works? (DfES Research Report CR2004). London: DfES.

Sharp, C. (2005). 'Why should teachers be interested in research?' SPARK - Secondary Practitioners Action Research Knowsley, 1, 2, 5–8.

Sharp, C., Eames, A., Sanders, D. and Tomlinson, K. (2005). Postcards from Research-Engaged Schools. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C., Pye, D., Blackmore, J., Eames, A., Easton, C., Filmer-Sankey, C., Whitby, K. and Wilson, R. (2005). National Evaluation of Creative Partnerships: Case Study Report. Revised Final Version. [online].

Wilson, R., Easton, C., Smith, P. and Sharp, C. (2005). National Remodelling Team: Evaluation and Impact Study (Year 1). Slough: NFER [online].

Eames, A., Sharp, C. and Benefield, P. (2004). Review of the Evidence Relating to the Introduction of a Standard School Year: Final Report (LGA Research Report 17/04). [online].

Sharp, C. (2004). 'Developing young children's creativity: what can we learn from research', TOPIC, 32, 5–12.

Sharp, C., Sanders, D., Tomlinson, K. and McNeil, A. (2004). 'Investigating research-engaged schools: the story so far', NFER News, Autumn, 14.

Sharp, C., Schagen, I. and Scott, E. (2004). Playing for Success: the Longer Term Impact. A Multilevel Analysis (DfES Research Report 593). London: DfES.

Smith, P., Whitby, K. and Sharp, C. (2004). The Employment and Deployment of Teaching Assistants (LGA Research Report 5/04). Slough: NFER.

Taggart, G., Whitby, K. and Sharp, C. (2004). Curriculum and Progression in the Arts: an International Study. Final Report. [online].

Hemsley-Brown, J. and Sharp, C. (2003). 'The use of research to improve professional practice: a systematic review of the literature', Oxford Review of Education, 29, 4, 449–470.

Hobson, A., Brown, E., Ashby, P., Keys, W., Sharp, C. and Benefield, P. (2003). Issues for Early Headship: Problems and Support Strategies. A Review of Literature Carried Out for NCSL: Full Report Spring 2003. [online].

Keys, W., Sharp, C., Greene, K. and Grayson, H. (2003). Successful Leadership of Schools in Urban and Challenging Contexts: a Review of Literature Carried Out for NCSL. Full Report Spring 2003. [online].

Sharp, C. (2003). 'How can LEAs help schools to use research for school improvement', Education Journal, 71, 28–30.

Sharp, C. (2003). 'Playing for Success proves itself a winner', NFER News, Spring, 11.

Sharp, C. (2003). 'What’s important in early years education? Some messages from research', TOPIC, Issue 30, Item 7.

Sharp, C., Blackmore, J., Kendall, L., Greene, K., Keys, W., Macauley, A., Schagen, I. and Yeshanew, T. (2003). Playing for Success: an Evaluation of the Fourth Year (DFES Research Report 402). London: DfES.

Sharp, C., Kendall, L. and Schagen, I. (2003). 'Different for girls? An exploration of the impact of Playing for Success', Educational Research, 45, 3, 309–324.

Wilson, R., Hemsley-Brown, J., Easton, C. and Sharp, C. (2003). Using Research for School Improvement: the LEA’s Role (LGA Research Report 42). Slough: NFER.

Edmonds, S., Sharp, C. and Benefield, P. (2002). Recruitment to and Retention on Initial Teacher Training: a Systematic Review. [online].

Hemsley-Brown, J., Cunningham, M., Morton, R. and Sharp, C. (2002). Education Decision-making Under Scrutiny: the Impact of Local Government Modernisation (LGA Research Report 38). Slough: NFER.

Morton, R., Cleaver, E., Cunningham, M., Sharp, C. and Keys, W. (2002). The Recruitment, Retention and Training of Local Authority School Improvement Staff (LGA Research Report 35). Slough: NFER.

Schagen, I., Kendall, L. and Sharp, C. (2002). 'Measuring the success of 'Playing for Success'', Educational Research, 44, 3, 255–267.

Sharp, C. (2002). 'School starting age: European policy and recent research.’ Paper presented at the LGA Seminar ' When Should Our Children Start School', LGA Conference Centre, Smith Square, London, 1 November [online].

Sharp, C. (2002). 'Should schools set homework', TOPIC, Issue 27, Item 2.

Sharp, C., Blackmore, J., Kendall, L., Schagen, I., Mason, K. and O’Connor, K. (2002). Playing for Success: an Evaluation of the Third Year (DfES Research Report 337). London: DfES.

Sharp, C., Pocklington, K. and Weindling, D. (2002). 'Study support and the development of the self-regulated learner', Educational Research, 44, 1, 29–41.

MacBeath, J., Kirwan, T., Myers, K., McCall, J., Smith, I. and McKay, E. with Sharp, C., Bhabra, S., Weindling, D. and Pocklington, K. (2001). The Impact of Study Support: a Report of a Longitudinal Study into the Impact of Participation in Out-of-school Hours Learning on the Academic Attainment, Attitudes and School Attendance of Secondary School Students. (DfES Research Report 273). London: DfES.

Sharp, C. (2001). 'What does research have to say about homework', Education Journal, 56, 28–29.

Sharp, C., Kendall, L., Bhabra, S., Schagen, I. and Duff, J. (2001). Playing for Success: an Evaluation of the Second Year (DfES Research Report 291). London: DfES.

Sharp, C., Keys, W. and Benefield, P. (2001). Homework: a Review of Recent Research. Slough: NFER [online].

Sharp, C., Keys, W., Benefield, P., Flannagan, N., Sukhnandan, L., Mason, K., Hawker, J., Kimber, J. and Hutchison, D. (2001). Recent Research on Homework: an Annotated Bibliography. Slough: NFER [online].

Weindling, D., Pocklington, K., Bhabra, S. and Sharp, C. (2001). Study Support in Action: 12 Case Studies Undertaken for ‘The Impact of Study Support’. London: DfES.

Osgood, J. and Sharp, C. (2000). Developing Early Education and Childcare Services for the 21st Century (LGA Research Report 12). Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (2000). 'Strategies for raising achievement at key stage 2: a process of educational change', TOPIC, Issue 24, Item 1.

Sharp, C. (2000). 'When should children start school and what should we teach them?', TOPIC, Issue 23, Item 10.

Sharp, C. and Le Métais, J. (2000). The Arts, Creativity and Cultural Education: an International Perspective (International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks). London: QCA.

Sharp, C., Mason, K. and Osgood, J. (2000). 'Successful study support', Curriculum Management Update, May, 7–8.

Sharp, C. and Osgood, J. (2000). 'What are the benefits of study support? A review of opinion and research', Educational Review, 52, 3, 239–247.

Mason, K., Bhabra, S., Mawson, C., Spear, M., Wray, M., Sharp, C. and Rees, F. (1999). Out-of-School Hours Learning Activities: an Evaluation of Fifty Pilot Schemes (DfEE Research Report 178). London: DfEE.

Sharp, C., Mawson, C., Pocklington, K., Kendall, L. and Morrison, J. (1999). Playing for Success: an Evaluation of the First Year (DfEE Research Report 167). London: DfEE.

Sharp, C., Osgood, J. and Flanagan, N. (1999). The Benefits of Study Support: a Review of Opinion and Research (DfEE Research Report 110). London: DfEE.

Brooks, R., Sukhnandan, L., Flanagan, N. and Sharp, C. (1999). Creating a Climate for Learning: Strategies to Raise Achievement at Key Stage 2. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1998). 'Age of starting school and the early years curriculum. A select annotated bibliography'. Paper presented at the NFER's Annual Conference, One Great George Street Conference Centre, London, 6 October.

Sharp, C. (1998). 'What parents want from a pre-school', Education Journal, 20, 20–21.

Sharp, C. (1998). 'What parents want from pre-school', TOPIC, Issue 20, Item 4.

Sharp, C. with Benefield, P. and Kendall, L. (1998). The Effects of Teaching and Learning in the Arts: a Review of Research. London: QCA.

Sharp, C. (1997). Parents’ Views of Pre-school (Research Summary). Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. and Davis, C. (1997). Parents’ Views of Pre-school: Making Choices. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. and Davis, C. (1997). Parents’ Views of Pre-school: Quality Matters. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. and Dust, K. (1997). Artists in Schools: a Handbook for Teachers and Artists. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. and Hutchison, D. (1997). How Do Season of Birth and Length of Schooling Affect Children’s Attainment at Key Stage 1? A Question Revisited. Slough: NFER.

Whetton, C., Sharp, C. and Hutchison, D. (1997). 'SCAA, baseline assessment and value added: a response to Peter Tymms', Educational Research, 39, 3, 287–290.

Sharp, C. (1996). Completion Rates of A Level and GNVQ Courses: a Literature Review (Review of Qualifications for 16-19 Year Olds). London: SCAA.

Sharp, C. (1996). 'From watching volcanic eruptions to meeting Boudicca - harnessing the potential of educational broadcasts', TOPIC, Issue 15, Item 1.

Sharp, C. (1996). 'The NFER', MMA Journal, 41, 40–41.

Sharp, C., Hutchison, D., Davis, C. and Keys, W. (1996). The Take-up of Advanced Mathematics Courses: Full Report. London: SCAA.

Sharp, C. and Kendall, L. (1996). Completion of A Level and GNVQ Courses in Schools: a Research Study (Review of Qualifications for 16-19 Year Olds). London: SCAA.

Sharp, C. and Kendall, L. (1996). Discretionary Awards in Dance and Drama: a Survey of Local Education Authorities. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1995). Providing Instrumental Music Tuition: a Handbook for Schools and Services. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1995). School Entry and the Impact of Season of Birth on Attainment (Research Summary). Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1995). Viewing, Listening and Learning: the Use and Impact of Schools Broadcasts. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1995). 'What’s age got to do with it? A study of patterns of school entry and the impact of season of birth on school attainment', Educational Research, 37, 3, 251–265.

Sharp, C. and Benefield, P. (1995). Research into Season of Birth and School Achievement: a Select Annotated Bibliography. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1994). Alcohol Education for Young People: a Review of the Literature 1983-1992. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C., Hutchison, D. and Whetton, C. (1994). 'How do season of birth and length of schooling affect children’s attainment at key stage 1?', Educational Research, 36, 2, 107–121.

Sharp, C. (1993). 'Summer born', Right Start, June/July, 26.

Sharp, C. (1993). 'The needs of amateur wind bands', Winds, 8, 3, 21–22.

Sharp, C. and Burley, J. (1993). More than ‘A Little Light Music’: the Needs of Amateur Wind Bands. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C., Maychell, K. and Walton, I. (1993). Nursing and AIDS: Material Matters. Issues, Information and Teaching Materials on HIV and AIDS for Nurses - a Research Study. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1991). When Every Note Counts: the School’s Instrumental Music Service in the 1990’s. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1990). 'Artists in schools: issues and implications', Educational Research, 32, 2, 140–143.

Sharp, C. (1990). Developing the Arts in Primary Schools: Good Practice in Teacher Education. Slough: NFER.

Sharp, C. (1990). 'Refreshing the arts ...?' TOPIC, Issue 3, Item 13.

Sharp, C. (1988). 'Starting school at four', Research Papers in Education, 3, 1, 64–90.

Sharp, C. (1987). 'Starting school at four', Child Education, 64, 8, 11-13.

Sharp, C. (1987). 'Teaching four-year-olds', Child Education, 64, 9, 16–17.

Sharp, C. and Turner, G. (Eds) (1987). Four-Year-Olds in School: Policy and Practice. An NFER-SCDC Seminar Report. Slough: NFER.

Cleave, S. and Sharp, C. (1986). The Arts: a Preparation to Teach. A Study of Initial Training for Primary Teachers. Slough: NFER.

Cleave, S., Barker-Lunn, J. and Sharp, C. (1985). 'Local education authority policy on admission to infant/first school', Educational Research, 27, 1, 40–43.