Irish Educational Studies is an international, refereed journal. It is the official journal of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) and is listed in the Social Science Citation Index™. The journal is open to papers on a range of topics relevant to education, drawing on the full spectrum of disciplines that feed into educational theory and practice, including anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, economics, philosophy, politics and curriculum studies. We welcome papers that draw on a range of research methodologies. The journal is especially open to papers that have a critical edge, making links between the local and global and influences on practice across all sectors of education - from early childhood education, primary and post-primary schooling, through to Higher Education. Peer Review Policy: All research articles in this journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymized refereeing by at least two anonymous referees. Disclaimer for Scientific, Technical and Social Science publications: Taylor & Francis and the Educational Studies Association of Ireland makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the 'Content') contained in its publications. However, Taylor & Francis and the Educational Studies Association of Ireland and its agents and licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the Content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not the views of Taylor & Francis and the Educational Studies Association of Ireland.