Narratives of biography, background and becoming a teacher: experiences of developing professional teacher identity in first generation students.

Abstract

Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes have traditionally focused on the development of pedagogical skills and knowledge rather than the personal biographical aspects of teachers’ lives that contribute to professional teacher identity (PTI), and research in the field of social class identity and professional identity is limited. This thesis examines the biographical features of first-generation student (FGS) teachers’ lives and how their social class identity has impacted upon the development of their professional teacher identity (PTI). Participants have been recruited from the professional community of students and lecturers at the University of Winchester. The data was drawn from one semi-structured group interview and fourteen individual semi-structured interviews with eleven undergraduate students at the end of their final year and five experienced teachers at different stages in their professional lives. The study takes a qualitative interpretivist position and has collected the biographical narratives of first-generation teachers examining aspects of their personal identity relating to social class, motivation to teach and experiences of professional identity development. Drawing on these narratives it formulates conclusions using a Bourdieusian theoretical lens about the impact of their family background and formative experiences on teacher identity. Findings have been analysed inductively using NVivo and through a process of reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), indicating multiple aspects of their lives that position them as disadvantaged when compared to non-FGS. The study brings contributions to current understandings social class backgrounds and the development of PTI with recommendations for future practice in ITE and teacher CPD.

Date of Award	13 May 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Winchester
Supervisor	Kerry Ball (Supervisor) & Marnie Seymour (Supervisor)