Doctor claire Elizabeth wolstenholme EdD, MRes, BSc hons
Research Fellow
Summary
Researcher in education with a background in psychology and particular interests in mental health, well being, and inclusion in education.
About
I joined the Sheffield Institute of Education in 2006, after completing a psychology degree. I have subsequently gained a masters of research and a doctorate in education part time. My expertise is in research and evaluation work, including bidding, project management, delivery and report writing. I work on a variety of mixed methods, diverse and often complex projects for a wide number of clients including; Department for Education, Education Endowment Foundation, Youth Endowment Fund, and the British Council. My particular skillset lies in qualitative methodologies.
My recent work has explored male students mental health, including causes of male mental ill-health, barriers to support and peer support as a means to enable male students to access safe connected spaces on campus for informal support.
I created and lead the SIOE Research Clinics- bookable appointments for any education student to meet with an education researcher for research support.
My areas of interest and experience are:
Male student mental health
Children and young peoples wellbeing
Educational inclusion and exclusion
Equality in education
Education policy
Apprenticeships
Mathematics teacher CPD
Children and young people’s wellbeing
Education Policy
LGBT wellbeing
Literacy
Post 16, skills and higher education policy
Equality and Diversity
Teaching
Sheffield Institute of Education
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Education.
Research Methods
Sheffield Institute of Education
Research
- Social and Economic Research Institute
My research over the last 5 years has focussed on male student mental health. I completed my Doctorate in Education in 2022, which explored male students perceptions of male student mental health. I then collaborated with the lead wellbeing practitioner at Hallam to undertake research into ethnic minority male student views of the university wellbeing services following underutilisation of the service in this population. Myself and the lead wellbeing practitioner established and evaluated a Hallam based Talk Club (male student peer support group).
Featured research projects
Link 1: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/31613/
Link 2: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29657
Link 3: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/23973
Link 4: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11825
Link 5: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/30177/
Worked with colleagues in CSE on the Science and Innovation Observatory
Evaluation of Think Forward Pilot, 2013-2015 (for Education Endowment Foundation) with the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Essex
Publications
Journal articles
Wolstenholme, C., & Sen, J. (2025). Using Listening Rooms as a method to engage and understand male ethnic minority student views of seeking university mental health support. Journal of Public Mental Health. http://doi.org/10.1108/jpmh-03-2025-0032
Wolstenholme, C., & Sen, J. (2025). Reimagining support, reframing masculinity. University & College Counselling Journal, 9.
Wolstenholme, C., & Sen, J. (2025). ‘I’ve never been in a situation with guys talking like this before in my life’ understanding the impacts of a university-based, male student, peer support group, on its facilitators. Pastoral Care in Education. http://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2025.2495650
Wolstenholme, C.E. (2024). 'You are being categorised as better than you are'.. Male students’ perception of male student mental health. Pastoral Care in Education. http://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2024.2337693
Boylan, M., Maxwell, B., Wolstenholme, C., Jay, T., & Demack, S. (2018). The mathematics teacher exchange and 'mastery' in England: The evidence for the efficacy of component practices. Education sciences, 8 (4), 202. http://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8040202
Hodge, N., & Wolstenholme, C. (2016). 'I didn't stand a chance': how parents experience the exclusions appeal tribunal. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 20 (12), 1297-1309. http://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2016.1168875
Formby, E., & Wolstenholme, C. (2012). If there’s going to be a subject that you don’t have to do …’ Findings from a mapping study of PSHE education in English secondary schools. Pastoral care in education: an international journal of personal, social and emotional development, 30 (1), 5-18. http://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2011.651227
Clayton, B., Beard, C., Humberstone, B., & Wolstenholme, C. (2009). The jouissance of learning: evolutionary musings on the pleasures of learning in higher education. Teaching in Higher Education, 14 (4), 375-386. http://doi.org/10.1080/13562510903050129
Coldron, J.H., Willis, B., & Wolstenholme, C. (2009). Selection by attainment and aptitude in English secondary schools. British journal of educational studies, 57 (3), 245-264. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2009.00435.x
Conference papers
Coldwell, M.R., Gornall, L., Holland, M.R., Trickey, D.S., Willis, B., & Wolstenholme, C.E. (2006). Developing enterprise culture in a northern educational authority in the UK: involving trainee teachers in learning-orientated evaluation. In European Conference on Educational Research, Geneva, 2006. http://www.eera-ecer.eu/ecer/ecer2006/
Books
Formby, E., Culliney, M., Wolstenholme, C., & Stiell, B. (2025). Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic Bullying and LGBT Inclusion in English Schools. Emerald Publishing Limited. http://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83708-448-7
Reports
Willis, B., Maxwell, B., Stiell, B., Clark, L., Stevens, A., Clarkson, L., ... Zhu, H. (2023). Regional implementation leads in Bristol. Education Endowment Foundation. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/support-for-schools/eef-regional-support/campaigns/regional-implementation-leads-in-bristol?utm_source=/support-for-schools/eef-regional-support/campaigns/regional-implementation-leads-in-bristol&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=site_search&search_term=Regional%20implementation%20leads%20in%20Bristol
Formby, E., Wolstenholme, C., Culliney, M., & Demack, S. (2022). The evaluation of the government’s anti-homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools programme. Government Equalities Office.
Culliney, M., Demack, S., Boylan, M., & Wolstenholme, C. (2022). Realistic maths education: evaluation report. Education Endowment Foundation. https://d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/documents/projects/Realistic-Maths-Education-FINAL.pdf?v=1669909277
Wolstenholme, C., Reaney-Wood, S., Maxwell, B., Straw, S., McLean, D., Worth, J., & Staunton, R. (2022). TLIF evaluation: Geographical Association/Association for Science Education Critical Thinking for Achievement project. Department for Education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1103989/TLIF_evaluation_Geographical_Association_Association_for_Science_Education_Critical_Thinking_for_Achievement_project.pdf
Perry, E., Halliday, J., Booth, J., Wolstenholme, C., & Boylan, M. (2022). Researching professional development leaders: investigating support for ‘remote’ professional development leaders. Ogden Trust. https://www.ogdentrust.com/about-us/publications-and-research/researching-professional-development-leaders/
Demack, S., Maxwell, B., Coldwell, M., Stevens, A., Wolstenholme, C., Reaney, S., ... Lortie-Fortes, H. (2021). Review of EEF Projects. Education Endowment Foundation. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/evaluation/eef-evaluation-reports-and-research-papers/syntheses-of-eef-evaluations/review-of-eef-projects
Maxwell, B., Stevens, A., Demack, S., Coldwell, M., Wolstenholme, C., Reaney-Wood, S., ... Lortie-Forgues, H. (2021). EEF Implementation and Process Evaluation (IPE) quality pilot. Education Endowment Foundation.
Maxwell, B., Stiell, B., Stevens, A., Demack, S., Coldwell, M., Wolstenholme, C., ... Lortie-Forgues, H. (2021). Scale-up of EEF efficacy to effectiveness trials. Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/evaluation/eef-evaluation-reports-and-research-papers/syntheses-of-eef-evaluations/scale-up-of-eef-efficacy-trials-to-effectiveness-trials
Perry, E., Booth, J., Boylan, M., Wolstenholme, C., Chedzey, K., & Cunningham, M. (2021). Quality assurance of teachers’ continuing professional development: design, development and pilot of a CPD quality assurance system - evaluation report. London, UK: Wellcome. https://chartered.college/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Piloting-a-CPD-QA-system-Evaluation_April-2021.pdf
Bevins, S., Moore, N., Stiell, B., Wolstenholme, C., & Price, G. (2020). STEM and EMI Report: Scoping Study Telangana. British Council.
Bevins, S., Moore, N., Stiell, B., Wolstenholme, C., & Price, G. (2020). STEM and EMI Scoping Study: North East Region. British Council.
Bevins, S., Moore, N., Stiell, B., Wolstenholme, C., & Price, G. (2020). STEM and EMI Scoping Study: Madhya Pradesh. British Council.
Bevins, S., Moore, N., Stiell, B., Wolstenholme, C., & Price, G. (2020). STEM and EMI Report: Scoping Study Gujarat Region. British Council.
Bevins, S., Moore, N., Stiell, B., Wolstenholme, C., & Price, G. (2020). STEM and EMI Report: Karnataka. British Council.
Boylan, M., Wolstenholme, C., Maxwell, B., Demack, S., Jay, T., Reaney, S., & Adams, G. (2019). Longitudinal evaluation of the Mathematics Teacher Exchange: China-England - Final Report. Department for Education. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-maths-teacher-exchange-china-and-england
Formby, E., Culliney, M., Demack, S., & Wolstenholme, C. (2018). The evaluation of the government’s anti-homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools programme: Baseline report.
Boylan, M., Demack, S., Wolstenholme, C., Reidy, J., & Reaney, S. (2018). ScratchMaths: evaluation report and executive summary. Education Endownment Foundation. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Projects/Evaluation_Reports/ScratchMaths.pdf
Wolstenholme, C., Willis, B., & Culliney, M. (2016). Evaluation of the impact of Jigsaw the mindful approach to PSHE on primary schools. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University.
Wolstenholme, C., & Willis, B. (2016). Personal Social Health & Economic (PSHE) Education under the coalition government. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/ceir/sites/ceir/files/PSHE%20Research%20report%20January%202016.pdf
Burnett, C., Wolstenholme, C., Stiell, B., & Stevens, A. (2014). Evaluation of Beyond Booked Up.
Wolstenholme, C., Coldwell, M., & Stiell, B. (2014). Independent Review Panel and First-tier Tribunal Exclusion Appeals systems : Research Report. Department for Education. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/285458/DFE-RR313.pdf
Pearson, S., Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace Impact Evaluation Report. Big Lottery Fund.
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Batty, E., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace evaluation: Final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-myplace
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace evaluation: Summary report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-summary-report
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). Evaluation of myplace: Technical report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-technical-report
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Clague, L., Formby, E., Pearson, S., & Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace case study report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-case-study
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Platts-Fowler, D., Sanderson, E., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2012). myplace Impact Evaluation Interim Report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-impact-evaluation-interim-report
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Platts-Fowler, D., Sanderson, E., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2012). myplace impact evaluation interim report: executive summary. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-impact-evaluation-interim-report-executive-summary
Formby, E., Coldwell, M., Stiell, B., Demack, S., Stevens, A., Shipton, L., ... Willis, B. (2011). Personal, social, healthand economic (PSHE)education: A mappingstudy of the prevalentmodels of delivery andtheir effectiveness. London: Department for Education.
Clague, L., Coldwell, M., Stevens, A., Stiell, B., Willis, B., & Wolstenholme, C. (2011). Process evaluation of the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Pilot. DfE. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/year-1-phonics-screening-check-pilot-evaluation
Tang, N., Nollent, A., Barley, R., & Wolstenholme, C. (2009). Linking outward and inward mobility : how raising the international horizons of UK students enhances the international student experience on the UK campus. Sheffield Hallam University.
Price, I., Clark, E., Holland, M.R., Emerton, C., & Wolstenholme, C. (2009). Condition matters: pupil voices on the design and condition of secondary schools. Reading: CfBT Education Trust.
Coldron, J.H., Tanner, E., Finch, S., Shipton, L., Wolstenholme, C., Willis, B., ... Stiell, B. (2008). Secondary school admissions. London: Department for Children, Schools and Families. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR020.pdf
Clague, L., Stiell, B., Willis, B., Wolstenholme, C., & Coldron, J. (2008). Choice Advice service: results of a pilot evaluation. DCSF. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/_assets/pdf/ceir-ChoiceAdviceBriefingPaperSecSchoolAdmsDCSF-RBX-11-08.pdf
Theses / Dissertations
Wolstenholme, C. (2022). Male Student Perspectives on Male Students Mental Health in HE. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Kellock, A., & Freeman, E.
Wolstenholme, C. (2022). Male undergraduate students’ perceptions of male student mental health. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Kellock, A., & Freeman, L. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00506
Other publications
Wolstenholme, C. (2025). How a peer support group is supporting male students’ mental health and wellbeing at Hallam. Sheffield Institute of Education: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/sioe/2025/04/17/how-a-peer-support-group-is-supporting-male-students-mental-health-and-wellbeing-at-hallam/
Wolstenholme, C. (2024). How can we better support male students with their mental health? Sheffield Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/sioe/2024/04/15/how-can-we-better-support-male-students-with-their-mental-health/
Wolstenholme, C. (2023). Recruiting ethnically minoritized male students for a mental health research project. Sheffield Hallam University: https://blog.shu.ac.uk/steer/2023/08/22/recruiting-ethnically-minoritized-male-students-for-a-mental-health-research-project/
Evans, A., Hawksley, F., Holland, M.R., Wolstenholme, C.E., & Willis, B. (2007). The role of the initial teacher training co-ordinator: secondary headteachers' and ITT co-ordinators' perspectives. http://www.ttrb.ac.uk/attachments/80a5682f-5ef5-435b-8472-c8348f2ee5ec.pdf
Evans, A., Holland, M.R., Wolstenholme, C.E., Willis, B., & Hawksley, F. (2006). The role of the Initial Teacher Training Coordinator in the school based element of partnership: to what extent does the Co-ordinator undertake supervision of aspects of quality assurance? Ljubljana: National School for Leadership in Education: http://www.pef.uni-lj.si/atee/
Other activities
I am a regular reviewer for the Journal of Pastoral Care in Education and the International Journal of Health Promotion and Education
Postgraduate supervision
I supervise on the MA in Education and the doctorate of education as well as Phd students whose area of interest relates to education.