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Welcome to our second newsletter. It has been a busy term, building the network around the West Somerset Research School here at The Blue School in Wells. Thank you to those who've been in touch and have got involved in our early work.
Please share this newsletter with colleagues as widely as appropriate.
You may have been forwarded this newsletter so if you'd like to register to receive these updates on educational research, direct to your inbox, click here.
Our launch event on Friday 17 November - "Evidence-based School Improvement" still has a small number of spaces available. For full details and to sign up, see our website.
We're also planning a KS2/3 Maths event in early February 2018, following the recent release of the EEF's Guidance report. Further details will follow.
Tom Colquhoun - Research School Lead.
SCHOOL-LED SUPPORT FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
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NEW GUIDANCE TO IMPROVE MATHS TEACHING FOR 7 – 14 YEAR OLDS
Good maths skills are essential for everyday life and a range of careers. Yet there remains a large and persistent attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) believes the best way to change this is through better use of evidence: looking at what has – and has not – worked in the past.
To support good maths teaching in Key Stages 2 and 3, they’ve published new guidance that gives schools and teachers practical ‘do’s and don’ts’ of great maths teaching.
The report covers eight practical and evidence-based recommendations on areas where there is evidence that schools can use to make a significant difference to pupils’ learning. It includes guidance on:
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developing pupils’ problem solving skills;
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using assessment to make a difference to pupils’ learning; and
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effective use of manipulatives (physical objects used to teach maths).
The report is free to access and available here |
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CAN EVIDENCE REALLY INFORM PRACTICE?
The Sutton Trust–EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit provides teachers and school leaders with an accessible summary of thousands of individual pieces of academic research to help them inform their teaching practice. In this blog post, John Tomsett, recounts an experience of using evidence from the Toolkit to source effective interventions to inform practice and improve pupil outcomes.
Read More |
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WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE ON HELPING CHILDREN WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MATHS?
Many children struggle with maths, and taking early action can be key to helping to improve their mathematics ability. However, as children’s difficulties with maths vary, it is important to identify their individual difficulties and weaknesses, and target any intervention appropriately. Teaching in the intervention should be explicit and systematic. It is also recommended that interventions include a regular time dedicated to building fluent retrieval of basic arithmetic facts. There is good evidence that interventions should include opportunities for pupils to work with visual representation of mathematical ideas and be taught how to solve word problems.
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Headteachers and senior leaders from across Somerset and the South West are warmly invited to our launch event on Friday 17 November in Williton: Evidence-based School Improvement. For full details and to register for a place see our website. Hurry as there are only a few places left!
We are planning to offer further CPD training and events throughout the year on the following areas:
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Maths at the primary/secondary transition
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The EEF Early Years Toolkit
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Literacy at KS1 & 2
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Leading Learning - Evidence-based CPD delivery
These will be advertised on the events section of our website, and in these newsletters.
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