Research funding for ten schools announced

Ten schools across the country have won funding to boost the quality of teaching in their region through better use of research.

The new Research Schools will form part of a major expansion of the Education Endowment Foundation’s regional work from September 2019, with a significant increase in direct support for schools. This aims to help schools across the country apply evidence to improve their pupils’ outcomes and close the disadvantage gap.

The 10 new research schools are: Newcastle Research School at Walkergate, North East; Carmel Research School, North East; the HISP Research School at Thornden School; the Charles Dickens Research School; East London Research School; Manchester Communication Research School; St Matthew’s Research School; Billesley Research School; Staffordshire Research School at John Taylor; and Greenshaw Research School.

The schools will each receive £140,000 over three years to become focal points of evidence-based practice in their region and build networks between large numbers of schools, helping to develop a programme of support to ensure all schools have access to the evidence-based resources, training, and networks that make a difference in the classroom.

The EEF also announced seven new Associate Research Schools, which will play a role in expanding the reach of the existing network across the country and will work closely with established Research Schools to engage schools from a wider area through communication and face to face activity.

Sir Kevan Collins, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: “We’re at an important moment in the potential of evidence to improve teaching and learning in England’s schools, particularly for our most disadvantaged young people. Not only is this country now a world-leader in producing high-quality evidence, but there is also a large and growing appetite among teachers and senior leaders to use this research to underpin their school’s improvement.  
 
“However, too few schools have the time and resources to take on and implement evidence. The expanded Research Schools Network will engage with schools, local authorities, multi-academy trusts, and other practitioners to improve teaching and learning in their region. They’ll develop practical tools, training courses, professional development and coaching, all based on the best available evidence.”