Shaping Research Directions for Community Focused Schools: A Participatory Research Exploration and Planning (PREP) Workshop Method

This report presents a reflective methodological account of designing and facilitating a participatory research exploration and planning (PREP) workshop. The workshop brought together professionals and practitioners working with children, young people, families, and communities to shape the research direction for future community schools research. It had three aims: first, to embed participation at the earliest stage of research planning to ensure future questions were relevant, needed, and grounded in practice; second, to create a new network and strengthen a research culture that values participation across all stages of a project; and third, to use workshop insights to inform a collaborative research proposal and funding application.

Using researcher reflections, facilitator notes, and post event discussions as its evidence base, the report examines the context, ethics, processes, and facilitation strategies that shaped the workshop. It also captures the personal and professional learning that emerged. The report offers practical guidance for designing and delivering participatory research exploration and planning workshops and highlights key considerations for researchers aiming to embed participation and collaboration in their agendas.