Research Schools Network

With the Easter break getting underway, it feels like the right moment to pause and look back on a spring term where literacy took centre stage across the RSN. 📚 A term shaped by literacy We kicked off the term with a renovation of the EEF reading house, which was updated in February with the support of Research School exemplification, in the form of some great RSN blogs and Clips from the Classroom, to put the evidence into action. This half term, Research Schools have shared a wide range of practice focused on writing and oral language. You may have also noticed a focus on literacy in our RSN newsletters and blogs. From modelling writing in the early years to exploring the role of grammar in whole‑school approaches, colleagues across the RSN have been busy turning evidence into practical, classroom-ready approaches. Some highlights included: • Alexandra Park Research School’s exploration of how modelling can build confidence in KS1 writers 🔗https://lnkd.in/ekmudxTa • Greenshaw Research School’s reflection on the place of grammar within a whole‑school writing strategy 🔗https://lnkd.in/enNEQDmG • Town End Research School’s blog series, such as Sentenced to Success, supporting writing fluency. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eSEAkNDe Amid sustained system interest, the EEF have also been shining a light on some of our blogs on oral language blog. Blogs from Hampshire and Tudor Grange offered thoughtful takes on how talk supports reading and learning across subjects, paired with some helpful webinar series for teachers wanting to develop this further. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eufBeReX) 🔗https://lnkd.in/eHDZXe5B ➕ After Easter… a shift towards maths As we head into the summer term, the focus moves to mathematics…. Watch this space and have a lovely holiday break 🐣

🌟 It’s been brilliant to see colleagues from across the Research Schools Network at their regional meetings over the past few weeks. 🌟 From across our seven regions, South West & South Coast, London & South East, North West, North, West Midlands, East & East Midlands and Yorkshire, these sessions have been full of thoughtful discussion, practical sharing, and a real sense of collective purpose. Here are just a few highlights from across the network: ✨ Exploring what Talking Compellingly About Disadvantage looks like in different regional contexts ✨ Sharing progress on #ClipsfromtheClassroom (CftC) and supporting each other’s CftC development ✨ Digging into implementation, behaviour change and evidence‑informed approaches ✨ Reflecting together on the national meeting and shaping what comes next ✨ Strengthening regional priorities, collaboration and support for disadvantaged learners A huge thank‑you to all the Regional Delivery Leads, Research School Directors and RSN colleagues who contributed - the energy and insight at each meeting shows the very best of the RSN. Looking forward to seeing how this work continues to grow across the summer term. 💡

The EEF have just published a new tool to help early years practitioners spend their Early Years Pupil Premium allowance more strategically. The advice is based on new research into how settings use their EYPP funding. The review shines a light on how settings are currently using EYPP and the barriers they face, while the planning tool offers clear, accessible guidance to support thoughtful spending. With the upcoming increase to EYPP funding, it’s a great moment to pause, reflect, and plan for impact. Across the Research Schools Network, we’re committed to helping settings use their resources in ways that truly make a difference for disadvantaged children. These new EEF resources are a brilliant addition to that effort. 👉 Take a look at the research - https://lnkd.in/em469Dj7 👉 Explore the planning tool https://lnkd.in/ekwD8fnn Share with colleagues who are leading EYPP decisions! #EarlyYear #PupilPremium #EYPP #EEF #EYFunding

 It’s a busy and exciting season for the Research Schools Network, with conferences across the country bringing colleagues together to explore inclusive, evidence‑informed practice. Tomorrow we have: 📍25 March — Bradford Inclusion Conference Hosted by Bradford Research School, this event focuses on enabling every learner to thrive in Bradford’s classrooms. A brilliant opportunity for local leaders and practitioners to come together around inclusion. 🔗https://lnkd.in/esRfDHFD And coming up next we have : 📍12 June — South West & South Coast Conference Hosted in partnership across the region, this year’s programme offers a deeper dive into what evidence‑informed practice looks like in real classrooms across the South West and South Coast. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eESpV-Rs 📍2 July — Inclusive Excellence Conference Delivered by Exchange Research School at Don Valley Academy, an afternoon dedicated to strengthening inclusive, high‑quality teaching for every pupil. 🔗https://lnkd.in/e5JE3N-6 Across the RSN, these conferences offer space to connect, reflect, and share what evidence‑informed practice looks like in context. We’re looking forward to seeing the conversations and collaboration ahead.

Great to see this opportunity from Tudor Grange Research School 🌟 The Deputy Director role is a fantastic opportunity to help strengthen evidence‑informed practice across the region and support schools in making the biggest difference for their pupils. If you’re passionate about using research to improve outcomes- and want to play a part in the RSN’s mission to close the disadvantage gap- we’d really encourage you to take a look

It’s been a busy few weeks on the Research Schools Network blog, with colleagues sharing practical insights, classroom reflections, and evidence‑informed approaches. Here’s a quick round‑up of what’s new: 🔧 The scaffolds behind strong writing Town End Research School A look at how structure strips can support pupils to build high‑quality writing, one sentence at a time. https://lnkd.in/e2rMueab 🎯 One step ahead: how adaptive teaching closes gaps before they open Cornwall Research School Exploring how adaptive teaching can anticipate needs, prevent gaps widening, and keep every learner moving forward. https://lnkd.in/eSGMePcF 📖 Reading for wellbeing: how stories can support PSHE Great Heights Research School: West Yorkshire An exploration of how stories can be powerful pedagogy in PSHE, spotlighting The Story Project and its teacher‑led, research‑backed approach to improving wellbeing and literacy. https://lnkd.in/e2VKGv7d 📚 Implementing primary disciplinary literacy across LEO Academy Trust London South Research School Unpacking the trust‑wide journey of embedding disciplinary literacy in primary settings. https://lnkd.in/e9GUNRnR 🚀 Beyond disadvantage: moving from labels to barriers Cornwall Research School A reflection on the barriers that prevent children from thriving — and how schools can respond with nuance and precision. https://lnkd.in/eeBCbN2m 🧠 An introduction to predictive processing theory Devon Research School An accessible guide to predictive processing and how it shapes pupils’ learning and experiences in the classroom. It is always great to spotlight the depth and diversity of work happening across the network — from curriculum and literacy to cognitive science and classroom practice. 👉 Explore more here:  https://lnkd.in/ehpXM6Y5

We know that high‑quality early years practice is essential - but we still have far too little evidence about which approaches make the biggest difference for young children. That’s why the EEF is investing in a new wave of early years research projects — and why we’re encouraging settings across England to get involved. Taking part helps strengthen the evidence base for the whole sector. Most projects provide subsidised professional development that practitioners can use straight away, and if your setting is allocated to the control group, you’ll receive financial compensation simply for sharing data. The latest EEF blog explains how the process works, tackles myths about taking part, and shares experiences from educators who found the training supportive, confidence‑building, and genuinely beneficial for their children. If you want to contribute to a stronger evidence base for the early years system, this is a practical, meaningful way to do it. 👉 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/e58DPb_e 👉 Explore open projects: https://lnkd.in/eUSWqtGt

Every day, Research Schools support colleagues to make evidence‑informed decisions - and one of the most powerful tools we have for doing that is the Education Endowment Foundation’s Teaching and Learning Toolkit. If you’re new to it, here’s how it works: The Toolkit takes thousands of studies from around the world and distils them into clear, accessible summaries that help schools understand what might improve outcomes, how secure the evidence is, and what it might cost to implement. It’s designed for busy leaders and teachers who want reliable insights without wading through complex academic papers. Each “strand” is a living review — updated regularly to reflect the latest research rather than static summaries that go out of date. This keeps the evidence responsive to classroom practice and emerging findings. It’s also one of the sector’s most widely used resources: up to two‑thirds of senior leaders draw on it to inform strategic decisions, and more than 240,000 users access it each year. Whether you're thinking about feedback, metacognition, small‑group tutoring, or oral language approaches, the Toolkit gives you a trusted starting point for understanding what’s likely to make a difference. 👉 Explore the Toolkit: https://eef.li/toolkit The Research Schools Network is here to help colleagues interpret the evidence, think about implementation, and make choices that work for their context. 

It’s regional meeting time across the Research Schools Network! Over this week and next, all 32 Research Schools will be gathering across our 7 regions to dig into mission and strategy, share what’s working in their local contexts, and strengthen the connections that keep this network moving. These meetings are where insights are sharpened, challenges are explored together, and great practice travels further and faster. Looking forward to hearing what emerges from the conversations happening across the country. Find and follow your local research school to stay up to date with their work 👇https://lnkd.in/gxfGJn-y #EvidenceinPractice #RSNRegionalmeetings #Education

Everyone is still talking about the Schools White Paper — and so are our Research Schools. Bringing their insights and deep local expertise to the conversation, they’re helping turn national ambition into meaningful, context‑specific action. In their new blogs, Blackpool Research School and Norfolk Research School dig into why regional disparities can’t be ignored, why high‑quality teaching remains the biggest lever for change, and why funding models should reflect the length and depth of disadvantage. Every Research School blends EEF evidence with lived knowledge of their area—supporting leaders to focus on high‑quality teaching, targeted academic support, and wider strategies that reflect local realities. 👉 Read the blogs and see how we together can turn national ambition into sustained impact. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eywUFj73 🔗https://lnkd.in/dsuJTW3m