IPPG undertook mixed methodology research to provide the NSW Department of Education with an evidence base and tool to facilitate the continuous improvement of school environments to better support students with disability and other additional support needs.

The challenge  

In October 2019, UTS (led by IPPG) was contracted by the NSW Department of Education to develop a strategy to improve the physical environments of NSW public schools focused on supporting the learning and wellbeing of students with disability.  

The project responded to the following terms of reference:   

  1. Develop a methodology to assess the existing physical learning environments in NSW public schools against best-practice standards for inclusivity 

  2. Conduct a pilot study, applying the methodology in the field with a number of schools 

  3. Formulate a final report outlining best practice standards globally in this area, the results and analysis of the pilot research, and the refined/final methodology that can be used by the Department in the future 

What we did  

UTS adopted a mixed methodology for this research, including:  

  • An evidence scan of local and international best-practice approaches to inclusive environments within a school setting 

  • Engagement with the community in pilot schools through surveys, interviews, and focus groups with pilot school staff, parents and carers, and students with disability 

  • Audit of pilot schools using a school environment assessment tool based on known standards and identified good practice 

  • The development of case studies with detailed analysis of findings for each of the nine pilot schools 

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 required IPPG to pause the project and introduce an adjusted methodology which complied with the new health context for its resumption in early 2021. As a consequence: 

  • Fewer schools volunteered to be pilot schools

  • The assessment tool was administered by Departmental Asset Services Officers (ASOs), rather than UTS built-environment professionals 

  • All stakeholder engagement transitioned to an online format

Outcome  

The final deliverables for this research were: 

  1. A Research Report, including the findings framed around four outcome domains, the pilot school case studies, and a series of options and recommendations for the Department’s consideration 

  2. A Compendium Report including advice on how to conduct school-based research, and an update suite of engagement tools (including three surveys and two discussion guides) and the School Environment Assessment Tool. 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.