Ten more research schools will be set up this year under a £1.5 million expansion of the project aimed at helping schools increase the use of evidence in the classroom.
There will also be seven new associate research schools established from September, along with new regional leads at the Education Endowment Foundation to help expand the project’s reach.
The move is part of a shift by the EEF from evidence-gathering to ensuring research on best practice reaches schools and has an impact in the classroom.
The new schools (full list below) will join the current 22 announced by former education secretary Justine Greening under her social mobility push. Half of the 22 research schools are in the social mobility “cold spots”.
The new research schools will help fill geographical gaps and will each get £140,000 over the next three years. The associates will be given £20,000 for one year.
The funding, totalling over £1.5 million, will come solely from the EEF.
Sir Kevan Collins, EEF chief executive, 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.
“However, too few schools have the time and resources to take on and implement evidence.”
He said the expanded network will work with schools, councils and academy trusts to improve teaching and learning, developing “practical tools, training courses, professional development and coaching, all based on the best available evidence”.
A study published earlier this year found appointing research leads in schools to aid evidence-informed school improvement had almost no effect on pupil progress.
A current evaluation of the research schools model is ongoing.
The 10 new research schools
Newcastle Research School at Walkergate, North East
Carmel Research School, North East
HISP Research School at Thornden, South West and South Coast
Charles Dickens Research School, London
East London Research School, London
Manchester Communication Research School, North West
St Matthew’s Research School, West Midlands
Billesley Research School, West Midlands
Staffordshire Research School at John Taylor, West Midlands
Greenshaw Research School, London
The 7 new associate research schools
Oldham Sixth Form College Associate Research School, North West, working with Oldham RS
Alexandra Park Associate Research School, North West, working with Aspirer RS
Leicester-shire and Rutland Associate Research School at Learn-AT, East Midlands, working with Kyra RS
Town End Associate Research School, North East, working with Shotton RS
The Wolds Associate Research School at South Hunsley, Yorkshire, working with North Yorkshire Coast RS and Huntington RS
Sheffield Associate Research School at Notre Dame High, Yorkshire, working with Huntington RS
Cornwall Associate Research School at Mounts Bay, South West, working with Kingsbridge RS
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