ROOTS
Sean Warren
B Ed (Hons), Dip, MA (Ed), PhD
"There should be less of the factory and more of the garden."
Attributed to Rev Duncan MacGregor in ‘Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God’ by David McCasland (1993:67)
Walking The Walk:
Scrutinising Balance And Agency
Digging Deep
‘Living Contradiction: A Teacher’s Examination of Tension and Disruption in Schools, in Classroom and in Self‘ (co-authored by my PhD supervisor, Dr Stephen Bigger) charts my journey through teaching and a sustained period of detailed critical analysis and reflection. The book describes how my action research helped me to find a better way to authenticate my practice, without compromising standards or authority.
‘Warren and Bigger’s account is deeply human and is a model example of how to turn a piece of academic research (a PhD in this case) into a beautifully written, highly readable, and truly inspirational book.’
Dr Geoff Teece, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter Graduate School of Education
‘The richness, sensitivity, and depth of thought with which this book examines matters relating to behaviour and discipline in schools makes it very unique from many other publications.’
Professor Matt O’Leary, Birmingham City University
‘What I like most about Living Contradiction is its collaborative nature and its honesty. Sean Warren and Stephen Bigger exemplify a collaborative educational relationship…’
Professor Jack Whitehead, University of Cumbria
A Diamond Is Unearthed
In my first Ofsted, around 1993/94, the inspector referred to me as a ‘rough diamond’.
He wasn’t wrong – I was rough!
Having originally left school with one decent exam pass, my passion for working with children and young people was forged in Youth Clubs and Play-Centres in East London nearly a decade earlier. I quickly found an effective way of engaging and being ‘in charge’.
At 26 years old, I was – at last – a real, qualified teacher.
Over the coming years, I would do everything in my power to refine those rough edges …
Growing In The Shade
2002 Assessment for Advanced Skills status:
“The outcomes for Mr Warren’s pupils are excellent… Mr Warren’s knowledge of the subject is excellent… Mr Warren’s planning is excellent… Mr Warren’s teaching is excellent… Mr Warren’s assessment is highly effective… Mr Warren has provided excellent support and guidance for teaching staff… ”
(Assessor, National Advanced Skills Teacher Standards)
Fast forward to 2012 – my time in the classroom is done:
Sunshine
The initial impact of my research:
… and Refreshing Rain
Outcomes from my methodology:
Creative application:
In the period since completing my doctorate, the Edusense methodology has benefitted from the creative application to domains outside of education. I adapted the approach to the world of professional football when I was contracted to work in a Premier League Academy. Then, research with the England scouts at the FA, provided a new dimension as I sought to find a reliable method to better recognise discreet nuances within matches.
Over recent years, I have gained further insight through working exclusively with video technology. Analysis of lessons through the Edusense lens provided rich stimuli for remote coaching conversations.
