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In this edition of our newsletter, we focus on the latest EEF Guidance Report - Improving Secondary Science. If you're a senior leader or science teacher at a school in the South West and would like us to send you a free printed copy of the report and poster, please leave your details here.
As we finalise CPD training plans for the coming year, we're delighted to announce that we'll be welcoming to Somerset several expert speakers from the EEF and our partner Research Schools, including Professor Jonathan Sharples, Alex Quigley, Tom Martell, Lorwyn Randall and Megan Dixon. Read on to find out when and where you can meet them.
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NEW EEF REPORT: SEVEN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 'IMPROVING SECONDARY SCIENCE'
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published its latest guidance report, designed to support secondary science teaching. Improving Secondary Science reviews the best available research to offer schools and teachers seven clear and actionable recommendations on how to boost their pupils’ attainment in science.
One recommendation focuses on how to harness pupils’ common misconceptions about science to move their thinking on and improve their learning. Another suggests that teachers spend time making sure pupil understand the language of science, particularly words like ‘random’ or ‘valid’ that have different meanings in science.
The report also includes guidance on practical work, memory, and effective feedback.
Read the report |
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FIRST REPORTS FROM THE IEE INNOVATION EVALUATION GRANTS PUBLISHED
The first two reports from projects funded by the IEE Innovation Evaluation Grants have been published. Part of the Research Schools Network project, these pilot evaluations of innovations in teaching and learning approaches support the network’s goal of improving the attainment of pupils by increasing the use of evidence-based practices. The evaluations are small-scale, and test the kinds of innovations schools are interested in.
Read More |
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NOW RECRUITING: FOUR EEF TRIALS LOOKING FOR SCHOOLS TO GET INVOLVED
Four EEF-funded projects are currently looking for schools to get involved. Click on the links below to find 'Recruitment information' with a contact email address to get in touch direct:
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SMART Spaces – Trialling a 'spaced learning' approach - teachers delivering the same content across multiple sessions, with breaks in between - on GCSE outcomes.
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Realistic Maths Education – An approach to mathematical problem-solving in which teachers introduce maths using contexts that are familiar to pupils before introducing more formal and abstract contexts.
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Abracadabra (ABRA) – A small group literacy intervention delivered by teaching assistants focused on developing phonics, reading fluency and reading comprehension.
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EAL in the mainstream classroom – Developing and testing EAL training for classroom teachers at GCSE.
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BLOG: IMPROVING SECONDARY SCIENCE
Niki Kaiser, Research Lead at Norwich Research School offers a classroom perspective on the EEF’s Improving Secondary Science guidance report in a new blog series. In part 1, she shares useful links and resources that have helped her embed the key recommendations into her practice.
Read More |
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WHEN DO PRACTICALS WORK WELL IN SCIENCE?
Writing for Schools Week, Phil Naylor, Assistant Director, Blackpool Research School, takes a look at what the research says about practical work in science, and shares some tips for effective science teaching.
Read More |
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BRETT KAVANAUGH, EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF INTRINSIC REWARDS
Mark Woodlock - Headteacher at The Blue School, Wells - considers counter-intuitive behaviour in US public life and some possibly surprising results from research into attendance rewards.
Read More |
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IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR CHANGE: HOW DO WE KNOW WE’RE SUCCEEDING?
The IEE will be holding their first Innovation Evaluation conference, Improving outcomes for change: how do we know we’re succeeding?, on Friday 23 November, at the University of York. This conference will look at ways of developing, and evaluating, innovations and change projects in schools.
For more information, and to book a place, visit the IEE website |
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INSPIRING SPEAKERS JOINING US AT EVENTS IN SOMERSET
We have a very exciting line-up of speakers joining us in Somerset over the next few months, with experts in EYFS communication and literacy, metacognition, and successful implementation of evidence-informed practice.
Don't miss your chance to meet Alex Quigley, Megan Dixon, Dr Jonathan Sharples, Lorwyn Randall and Tom Martell when they speak at the following Somerset CPD programmes:
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Leading Learning
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Making Sense of Metacognition
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Leading Communication and Literacy
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More details and booking |
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