Unity Research School Newsletter

Issue #1

summer term 2019

Our regular selection of those we've enjoyed and appreciated following this month:

@janetifimust - Dr Janet Goodall, a leading academic and researcher in the field of parental engagement

@PENetworkUK - Parental Engagement Network

@suttontrust - an organisation working to improve social mobility through evidence-based programmes, research and policy advocacy.

@marcrowland73 - Unity Adviser, author, expert on improving outcomes for vulnerable pupils

@Jonathan_Haslam - Director of the Institute for Effective Education, based at the University of York

As we consider how to make professional learning as effective as possible, we've valued the insights shared by Dylan Wiliam and others from EEF, SSAT and schools in this podcast. Embedding Formative Assessment (EFA) is a professional development programme which aims to improve pupil outcomes by embedding the use of formative assessment strategies across a school. An evaluation funded by the Education Endowment Foundation has found that students in schools following the programme made the equivalent of two months’ additional progress.

Listen to the podcast

PODOGOGY - HOW STRICT A TEACHER SHOULD YOU BE?

May 2019 - TES TALKS TO MICHELE J GELFAND

Michele J Gelfand, a psychologist from Maryland, discusses how culture has an effect on success at school for teachers and for pupils. She elaborates on the meaning of the word 'culture' and categorises culture into country culture, community culture, family culture and classroom culture. There are tight cultures and loose cultures and many in between.  How do you manage how tight and loose you are? Take the 'Tight-Loose' quiz to see which category you fit into. 

Understanding the 'tight/loose' variations in culture could help us to communicate better with parents and pupils and understand their interaction and integration with school.  

Listen to the podcast

EEF PUBLISHES THREE NEW EVALUATION REPORTS
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published the results of independent evaluations into three trials:

• Improving working memory: Teaching primary pupils strategies to support their working memory and getting them to practise these by playing online games can boost their maths results by the equivalent of an additional three months. Read the report
• Sci-napse: Engaging the brain’s reward system: Using a quizzing tool to try and improve outcomes in secondary school science classes did not have a positive impact on science test scores for Key Stage 3 pupils. Read the report
• The RISE Project: Evidence-informed school improvement: Research leads Improving Students’ Education (RISE) aimed to improve the Maths and English attainment of pupils in Years 10 and 11 using a research-informed school improvement model. Read the report 

MORE TEACHERS ARE USING RESEARCH EVIDENCE
The Sutton Trust annual polling of teachers finds when it comes to deciding which programmes and approaches to adopt to improve learning, the use of evidence continues to rise. Three-quarters (74%) of all senior leaders said they considered research evidence, with 70% of secondary school senior leaders citing the Education Endowment Foundation’s Teaching and Learning Toolkit. This is up seven percentage points from 63% last year to 70% this year. Secondary teachers who reported using research evidence were more likely to report that their pupil premium money was proving effective (46% v 32%).

Read the report here

GET INVOLVED

Have you got a high-potential project that aims to raise the attainment and wider outcomes of young people aged 3-18, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds? The EEF are currently recruiting for their latest grant-funding round. DEADLINE: Fri 28 June.

Find out more

WORKING WITH PARENTS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LEARNING

Andy Samways' blog introduces 'at a glance' - our one-sider designed to signpost to EEF resource and more. This first edition focusses on parental engagement and takes its lead from the EEF guidance report 'Working with parents to support children's learning'.

See the one-sider here in Andy's blog

PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT IN MATHS

Matthew Martin reflects on his experiences during the KS2/3 SSIF Maths Project

In this blog, Matthew Martin, a Unity Schools Partnership Research Project Lead, explains how he encouraged parent involvement by using simple and non-threatening activities to encourage parents into school so that they can take part in maths learning workshops. 

Read Matt's blog here

HELPING CHILDREN 'TO BE FINE IN SCHOOL'

Anxiety, school refusal and its wider effects

Rosie Smithson, Unity's SEND Lead, reports on an example of co-production between practitioners and parents in practice. It refers to and makes use of the recommendations from the EEF guidance report ‘Working with parents to support children’s learning’

Read Rosie's blog here

THEY MUCK YOU UP, YOUR MUM & DAD
Marc Rowland discusses parenting, perceptions and the impact it can have on students

When I started secondary school, some time ago, I was hauled into the Headteacher's office (for a crime I obviously didn't commit). The head promptly told me 'your mother was just as bad'.

Read the rest of Marc's blog here

WHAT WORKS FOR STRUGGLING READERS?
Approaches that mix classroom and school improvements with tutoring for the most at-risk pupils have the greatest potential for the largest numbers of struggling readers. This is according to a research review on effective programmes for struggling readers in primary schools, completed by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Research and Reform in Education. Results showed positive outcomes for one-to-one tutoring and were positive but not as large for one-to-small group tutoring.

Read More

EEF BLOG: EVIDENCE IN THE ABSENCE OF IMPACT - LESSONS LEARNT FROM APPLYING NEUROSCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM
Can an approach simultaneously be effective and ineffective? The EEF's Research and Publications Manager, Jonathan Kay, looks below the headline result from one of their latest trials to report, 'Sci-napse'.

Read More

FREE GUIDANCE REPORT TWILIGHTS
Our summer term programme of free twilights provides a one hour overview of a guidance report and its recommendations, with an opportunity to ask questions about it. Click the link to secure your place or book a colleague on to the session:

Thursday 16 May -  Using Digital Technology
Tuesday 21 May  -  Parental Engagement

All you need to know about guidance reports - here

researchED Ipswich 2019

Anyone with an interest in education is welcome - classroom teachers, school leaders, trainee teachers, governors, researchers
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Saturday 16 November 2019
9.30am-4.00pm
free creche available (booking required)
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Check out our growing programme here
Get your tickets or 'Get a Bus' tickets here
Keen to present? Make a submission using this link.

SHAPING PLANS FOR 2019/20
We are in the process of scheduling our 2019/20 training and communication events. Building on the successes of previous years this will include a selection of 3-day programmes including those focusing on:

• Evidence informed use of the Pupil Premium
• Literacy (early years/KS2-3/KS3-4)
• Mathematics at KS2/3
• Making best use of TAs
• Leading CPD and Professional Learning

Register your interest by emailing Jo Francis (jfrancis@unitysp.co.uk)

In addition to this, if you would like to discuss ways in which Research School activity such as twilights and PD day input can be brought to your school contact Isabel Mackay (imackay@unitysp.co.uk)

CTSN RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2019
Supported by Unity Research School
3rd July 2019 marks the return on the successful annual research conference hosted by Cambridge Teaching Schools Network - (16:00-18:30) at Saffron Walden County High School. Unity Research School has four representatives within the wider programme:

• Dave Perkins
  (Headteacher at Laureate Community Academy)
  Maximising Impact of TAs: Reflections of engaging national EEF trial 
• Ruth Everett
  (Specialist Leader in Education for Unity SP)
  Evidence-based strategies to “Close the Word Gap”
• Anna Tapper/Carly Wood
  (Research Project Lead for UnitySP/Deputy Head Teacher for Burton End Primary Academy)
  Developing a sustained, evidence informed professional development programme to raise teaching standards and pupil outcomes in KS2 mathematics - A Case Study

The over-arching theme is the 'teacher as the decisive element'. Guest speakers (including Becky Allen and Christine Counsell) and workshop sessions will explore the evidence base and professional debates around how to enable teachers to take ownership of their professional development to enable great learning for the pupils in their care.
 

Workshop details: Read More

CAMBRIDGE FESTIVAL OF EDUCATION
Saturday 15th June 2019
The most optimistic education festival in the world, probably! A celebration of teachers and teaching.

Taking place at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education, this day of keynotes, workshops and networking will be unlike any other CPD most teachers will have experienced. Now in its third year CambsEdFest (as it's nicknamed) is going to be even more optimistic, joyful and inspiring than ever before (if that's possible!). By purchasing a ticket you automatically become a #flamingoofhope. The line-up for #flamingle19 includes Professor Diane Reay, Tom Sherrington, Professor Guy Claxton and Jaz Ampaw-Farr and many more. Visit www.cambsedfest.com and follow @cambsedfest on twitter and facebook for the latest news.

Read More

THE IFL EAST 2019 - 28 JUNE 2019

Human Skills In a Technological World
The International Festival of Learning will be focusing on the skills needed to prosper in an ever-changing world, and how education will truly shape technology, rather than becoming a passive recipient. 

How will we ensure all generations have the best chance to succeed in our tech-driven future?

The IFL will host dozens of CPD and taster workshops, keynotes, panel discussions on subjects such as STEM; SEND; PE & Sport; Administration; Leadership; Performing Arts; Wellbeing; International Education; Teacher Training; Careers Education across all age-sectors.

More details & to BOok