Five schools win share of £1m to become research hubs

Five schools across England have won a share of £1 million funding to become regional hubs for education research.

The ‘Research Schools’ project is a partnership between the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the Institute for Effective Education (IEE) and aims to fund a network of schools who will support the use of evidence to improve teaching practice.

The new Research Schools will work to build networks between schools in their local region, and will use their expertise to support up to 1,000 schools by providing training and professional development to senior leaders and teachers; supporting schools to develop innovative ways of improving teaching and learning; and encouraging schools in their network to make use of evidence-based programmes and practices through regular communication and events.

The first five Research Schools, appointed following a competitive application process, are:
- Aspirer Teaching School Alliance, based at Ash Grove Academy, Macclesfield
- Huntington School, York
- Kingsbridge Community College, Devon
- Kyra Teaching School Alliance, based at Mount Street Academy, Lincoln
- Shireland Collegiate Academy, Sandwell

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: “Evidence of what works is one of our most useful tools in the drive to improve educational standards. The launch of Research Schools is an important step by the EEF to supporting schools to make best use of it. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to partner with the Institute for Effective Education and fund the Research Schools network.”

Professor Bette Chambers, director of the Institute for Effective Education, said: “There is increasing demand from the profession for evidence-based programmes and practices to help teachers ensure the success of their pupils. It is heartening to see the strong leadership that these first five Research Schools are bringing to this endeavour.”