Exploring Views on Financial Health and Organisational Culture within Schools Using a Mixed Methods Approach: Teesside University Research Findings

This report outlines the findings of research into insights around financial health and organisational culture and leadership in schools. It also shares preliminary findings into perceptions of what gamification techniques may be effectively embedded into the prototyped financial efficiency platform under development by Pebble (SF Software Limited). Highlights of the report include: A literature review into theoretical and existing research-based insights into the English educational sector, the financial health of English schools, participatory research approaches, and principles of gamification A methodological chapter that provides the context and rationale for the use of pilot surveys, focus groups, and interviewing techniques to support the research approach Findings from a pilot survey conducted between October 2016 and January 2017 Findings from both focus groups with school business managers, which took place in November 2016 and February 2017 at the Darlington campus of Teesside University Findings from phone interviews conducted with headteachers in February 2017 A discussion chapter which synthesises the findings from the research activity and provides recommendations for gamification and related design considerations into the wireframing and prototyping of the financial efficiency platform