Dave Roberts

Profile

Dave Roberts 
PhD Researcher | Special School Headteacher | Leeds University Business School

About Me
I am a PhD researcher at Leeds University Business School and a Special School Headteacher, specialising in staff retention in Special Schools. My research adopts a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach to explore the lived experiences of educators, focusing on the systemic and contextual factors that influence retention.

Alongside my academic work, I have extensive experience supporting young people with SEMH needs, trauma, autism, and ADHD. I am passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments that empower both staff and students.

Leadership in Special Education
I have worked with a network of schools across the country, from North Yorkshire to Devon, supporting the transformation of multiple schools into high-quality provisions. Most recently, I took on the headship of an SEMH school that had endured repeated failings and over a decade of poor Ofsted results.

In my second year of headship, I successfully led the school to its first-ever Ofsted 'Good' rating, marking a historic turnaround. Under my leadership, the school has become a beacon of best practice for nature-based learning, particularly for students who struggle to thrive in mainstream settings.

My approach integrates nature-based education, trauma-informed practice, and staff wellbeing initiatives, ensuring sustainable improvements in both student outcomes and staff retention. I work closely with local authorities, research institutions, and industry partners to drive lasting change in special education.

Research Interests

My research focuses on qualitative inquiry, nature-based education, and organisational behaviour in special education settings. Through my PhD and wider projects, I explore how alternative educational approaches can enhance staff wellbeing, retention, and student engagement, particularly for those with SEMH, trauma histories, autism, and ADHD.

I am also interested in the role of landowners, leisure, and tourism sectors in diversifying their portfolios to support the growing SEND crisis in the UK. My research seeks to bridge education, nature, and industry partnerships to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both young people with additional needs and businesses looking to create inclusive spaces.

Key Research Areas:

• Nature-Based Learning and Inclusive Education
• Staff Retention and Wellbeing in Special Schools
• Constructivist Grounded Theory and Qualitative Research Methods
• Trauma-Informed Approaches in Educational Leadership
• Organisational Behaviour in Educational Settings
• Diversification of leisure, tourism, and landowner portfolios to support SEND provision

Current Research
My PhD research explores the challenges and opportunities in retaining skilled staff in Special Schools. Through qualitative inquiry, I aim to generate practical insights that inform school leadership, policy, and training programmes. My work aligns with broader discussions on teacher wellbeing, organisational support, and sustainable workforce strategies.

Industry and Public Engagement
I actively collaborate with schools, universities, and industry partners to promote nature-based education and inclusive leadership. My work includes:

• Leading the implementation of nature-based learning in special education settings.
• Advising schools on curriculum development for outdoor and trauma-informed learning.
• Partnering with universities to explore the impact of nature-based approaches on student engagement and staff retention.
• Delivering public talks, workshops, and consultancy on special education leadership and nature-based curriculum development.

Publications and Projects

• Nature-Based Education Book (Upcoming Publication): I am developing a book on nature-based education, aimed at teachers, parents, and educational leaders. The book combines personal experience, research insights, and practical strategies for implementing nature-based learning in diverse settings.
• Making Trouble: Imagining Class Beyond Deficit – In collaboration with York St John University’s Institute for Social Justice, we have secured initial funding to develop a research project focused on social class, nature, and artistic practice in education. This project, in partnership with a Multi Academy Trust and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, challenges systemic discrimination in the arts and foregrounds the voices of young people from low socio-economic backgrounds. The work includes:
• Co-producing creative research with young participants, academics, and artists to generate narratives around identity, education, and place.
• Developing an acoustically-informed sculptural installation at a Special School, inspired by James Turrell’s work, to support students with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and SEMH needs.
• Producing policy recommendations, learning materials, and peer-reviewed publications to influence education and cultural sector practices.
• Exploring the intersection of social class, ability, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality in creative practice, positioning the project as a leader in arts-based educational research.

www.linkedin.com/in/david-roberts-847175135 

Research interests

• Nature-Based Learning and Inclusive Education
• Staff Retention and Wellbeing in Special Schools
• Constructivist Grounded Theory and Qualitative Research Methods
• Trauma-Informed Approaches in Educational Leadership
• Organisational Behaviour in Educational Settings
• Diversification of leisure, tourism, and landowner portfolios to support SEND provision

Qualifications

• MA Teaching & Professional Enquiry
• PGCE Secondary Education (Chemistry)
• BA Criminology with Forensic Biology