Research Schools Network
 
West Somerset Research School at The Blue School Wells
 

West Somerset Research School at The Blue School, Wells, Newsletter

Issue #3

Spring term

 

Welcome

 

Welcome to our latest issue where you'll find a whole host of useful information which helps busy teachers and school leaders to get 'closer to the evidence' this spring.

 

There is news about a new maths self-assessment tool, opportunities for schools to join promising projects and the EEF's latest grant funding rounds. 

 

There are two interesting blogs to read on genetics and education from Dr Kathryn Asbury and on changing marking policies from Alex Quigley.

 

Finally, you'll find information about two evidence-informed training programmes, including our very own Leading Learning - CPD for CPD Leaders.  

 

​Scroll down to read the headlines.  Please share this newsletter with your colleagues and encourage them to sign themselves up on our website: https://westsomerset.researchschool.org.uk/about-us/sign-up/

 

As ever, do get in touch if you'd like to find out more.  Happy Easter to you all!

 

​"SCHOOL-LED SUPPORT FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE"

 
 
 

Latest news

 

NEW MATHS TOOL

The EEF has published a Red Amber Green (RAG) self-assessment guide to accompany their guidance report, Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3. The report set out eight evidence-based recommendations on the effective teaching of maths, and this accompanying guide describes what ‘ineffective’, ‘improving’ and ‘exemplary’ practice can look like in relation to each of the recommendations.

Download the RAG self-assessment guide

NOW RECRUITING

Seventeen EEF-funded projects are currently looking for schools, as well as post-16 settings, to take part in trials of high-potential projects. They include:

  • First Thing Music: educating young children through singing, giving direct access to the world of music without the difficulties involved with the use of an instrument. Read more.
  • Speech Bubbles: using drama and storytelling to develop pupils’ communication skills. Read more.
  • Power of Pictures: helping teachers develop their own understanding of the craft of picture book creation and illustration as a way of improving childhood literacy. Read more.
  • Young Journalist Academy: immersing pupils into a fun but realistic ‘newsroom’ environment, providing an authentic purpose and audience for writing. Read more.

EEF GRANT-FUNDING ROUNDS

There are two EEF grant-funding rounds closing soon:

  1. Science Teacher Retention, co-funded with Wellcome. Closing date: 5pm 22 March 2018 Read more.
  2. Improving Science Education, co-funded with Wellcome. Closing date: 9 April 2018 Read more.

 

Evidence

 

BLOG: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT GENETICS

At the recent Research Schools Conference on 7 February, Dr Kathryn Asbury, lecturer in Psychology and Education at the University of York, presented some stimulating findings from her work on the relevance of genetics to education. Not surprisingly, the role that genetics has to play in education is an emotive topic, and one that most people feel wary of approaching. However, whilst Dr Asbury acknowledges the trepidation felt by many at the idea of even talking about using genetic information to help shape our educational strategies, she also eloquently elucidates why the time is ripe for tackling these anxieties head on.

Read More

BLOG: SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND TAMING THE ‘MARKING MONSTER’

The EEF recently published Putting evidence to work: a school’s guide to implementation, a guidance report that gives schools the support they need to put evidence to work in their classrooms and implement new programmes and approaches effectively. In this blog, Alex Quigley, Director of Huntington Research School, shares a worked example for changing marking policy using the guidance report.

Read More

 

Events and training

 

EFFECTIVE PUPIL PREMIUM SPENDING
An evidence-based approach to improving attainment for disadvantage pupils

This three-day programme, developed by the EEF and the Research Schools Network, provides school leaders with the tools they need to devise, implement and evaluate a high impact Pupil Premium strategy. The programme delivers a comprehensive guide to the most important evidence and school improvement resources in education and is developed from the evidence on effective CPD and aligned with the DfE’s Standards for Professional Development.


The programme costs £595 and begins on 21 May at Shireland Research School. As a taster to the programme, a free twilight session will take place on 25 April.


To find out more, and to book your place on the programme or the twilight, contact Emily Hughes at emily.hughes@collegiateacademy.org.uk

CPD for CPD Leaders

LEADING LEARNING - CPD TRAINING FOR CPD LEADERS
Developing an evidence-based CPD programme for your school
 

Back by popular demand...

West Somerset Research School's three-day Leading Learning programme started on 7 March 2018, but if you missed the first session it's not too late to get involved. We're re-running the first day on 17 April at Haygrove School, Bridgwater. Book your place here. All members of the programme will then come together for Days 2 and 3 which will take place at Kilve Court near Bridgwater on 2 May and 11 July. The cost for all 3 sessions is £295 (£195 for West Somerset Opportunity Area schools) and if you book you're invited to bring along a colleague for free.

 

 

 

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