| | West Somerset Research School at The Blue School, Wells, Newsletter |
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A very Happy Christmas to you all (when it finally arrives)! In this bumper December edition there are findings from three recent EEF projects including a trial into the impact of Teacher Observation involving 14,100 pupils across 82 schools. There's also news on Flipped Learning and Digital Feedback Remotes and we bring you a number of blogs from the frontline on Academic Language, Literacy, Maths and more. There's also an invitation to join us at our South West Maths Guidance Report Roadshow in early Feburary and also to sign up for our Leading Learning course for CPD Leaders in the Spring. Further details below.
"SCHOOL-LED SUPPORT FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE"
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TEACHER OBSERVATION: NEW EEF TRIAL FINDS NO IMPACT ON PUPIL OUTCOMES
Introducing more frequent and structured lesson observations – where teachers observe their colleagues and give them feedback – made no difference to pupils’ GCSE maths and English results. That was the key finding of the independent evaluation of an Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) trial of Teacher Observation, involving 14,100 pupils in 82 English secondary schools.
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In addition to Teacher Observation, the EEF have recently published the independent evaluation of three further EEF trials of programmes aiming to raise the attainment of disadvantaged children and young people. These are:
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Lesson Study – a collaborative professional development programme that originated in Japan
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Flipped Learning – pupils undertaking some learning prior to lessons, freeing up class time for feedback and personalised support
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Learner Response System – electronic handheld devices providing immediate feedback during lessons.
You can also read more about the evaluations on the Durrington Research School blog and Huntington Research School blog.
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TAKE PART IN A TRIAL OF FLASH MARKING
Meols Cop Research School are currently recruiting participants to take part in a trial to investigate the impact of Flash Marking. This is a school-developed approach in which teachers give skills-based feedback rather than grades in KS4 English. The trial will start from September 2018, with a focus on Year 10 pupils studying English and English Literature, and they are keen to hear from schools who would like to register.
To learn more about what Flash Marking is, and how to get involved in the trial, read What is Flash Marking? on the Meols Cop Research School blog.
Interested in other trials that are recruiting? Take a look here.
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BLOG: BECOMING A CRITICAL CONSUMER OF RESEARCH
I recently attended the Research Schools’ Network regional meeting where the main focus was on “Becoming a Critical Consumer of Research”. We looked at how to assess the applicability of different evidence sources (you’ll need more certainly about the validity of information if you’re moving your whole family to live in America than if you’re simply planning a weekend away in St Ives … for example), evaluating the credibility of evidence sources and effectively responding to a piece of research (the “so what?” – now that I’ve learnt something, what am I going to do about it … if anything!). To read all the advice in the full blog, see our website.
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BLOG: EVIDENCE IS ONLY HALF THE STORY
At a recent conference organised by ASSET Education, an Ipswich-based MAT, Andy Samways (Director of Samuel Ward Research School) and Stephen Fraser (Education Endowment Foundation), ran a session on the EEF’s Key Stage 1 and 2 Literacy Guidance reports, thinking particularly about what effective implementation of the recommendations might look like in their classrooms. Following on from this, the EEF’s Stephen Fraser shares his reflections and thinking around the crucial aspect of planning for effective implementation.
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BLOG: ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL…
On Friday 3rd November the Education Endowment Foundation released its latest guidance report: Improving Maths in Key Stage 2 and 3. The report covers eight practical and evidence-based recommendations on areas where there is evidence that school can use to make a significant difference to pupils’ learning.
In this blog, Mari Palmer, Director of the North Yorkshire Coast Research School, examines the equals sign – taken from section six of the report.
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IMPROVING MATHS IN KS2 AND KS3 GUIDANCE REPORT ROADSHOW
1 February - Bridgwater - £29 ("early bird")
Following the recently published EEF Guidance Report Improving Mathematics in Key Stages Two and Three, The West Somerset Research School at The Blue School, Wells has invited two of the report's authors Peter Henderson (EEF) and Clare Christie (Lead Professional for Maths at Ashley Down Schools Federation) to run a training session on implementing the findings.
The half-day event (including buffet lunch) will take place at Bridgwater College Academy on 1 February 2018. Sign up before Wednesday 20 December for the "early bird" price of £29 (a 40% saving on the full price of £49) To register, or for more details, email tom.colquhoun.wsomerset@researchschool.org.uk
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LEADING LEARNING CPD PROGRAMME
Three day course starting 7 March 2018 - Somerset
A programme of workshops to support schools in their move towards the evidence base. This course consists of three full-day workshops as well as intersession activities and support.
The West Somerset Research School at the Blue School Wells, part of the national Research School Network, is running ‘Leading Learning’ training for CPD leaders, to ‘enhance teaching and learning with evidence-based practice’.
This innovative programme provides an overview of the most important research evidence in education, with usable tools to devise a high impact CPD programme, covering pertinent topics such as metacognition, memory and mindsets. The training is designed for leaders of teaching and learning in schools, TSAs and MATs; potential or existing Research-Leads; SLEs; and aspiring senior leaders.
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