RHINOs: a research project about the quietly disaffected

Abstract

The object of this research was the examination of disaffection among a group of pupils attending Sprowston High School in Norwich. The pupils in question were given the name RHINOs, which stood for Really Here In Name Only. Because the group in question did not disrupt lessons in an overt way, or break the school's basic conventions, their disaffection was not immediately apparent. In fact, although most teachers felt that there were pupils fitting this description in almost all classes, evidence for their existence was purely anecdotal. The enquiry sought to identify such pupils, to examine their learning and motivation, and to explore intervention strategies that could enhance their experience of school.