| | Unity Research School Newsletter |
|---|
|
|---|
As we draw towards the end of the academic year our ninth newsletter opens under our new name,
Unity Research School
Our trust evolved from the initial academy status of Samuel Ward Academy and has seen significant growth to the present day family of 22 schools which form the trust. As of July 1st 2018 the Samuel Ward Academy Trust became Unity Schools Partnership. Our new name shares a sense of our vision and how we work and encompasses all the same schools and people as the Samuel Ward Academy Trust.
|
|---|
| |
|---|
| Reflecting on our first year |
| |
|---|
|
|---|
As we draw towards the end of the academic year we have been reflecting on our first three terms within the Research Schools Network. It has seen us:
-
meet and have the opportunity to work alongside so many inspiring people locally, regionally and nationally
-
collaborate and grow our networks with increasing numbers of leaders and teachers in a wide range of schools in the east of England
-
linking with staff from over 380 different schools through conferences, communication events and training programmes
-
develop our evidence based training programmes and evolve an exciting offer (see below)
-
contribute to the evolution of #TeamEast, paving the way for continued collaborations with Norwich, East Cambridgeshire and Fenland and Ipswich Research Schools and so benefit from their emerging specialisms
We've really enjoyed all these opportunities, have learnt so much ourselves and are looking forward to another three terms of even greater activity. Thanks to all who have already engaged and contributed to #easternevidence in so many ways - here's to developing and extending this in 2018/19!
| |
|---|
|
|---|
|
...and in case you missed any of our previous newsletters you can find them all in our Newsletter Archive
HERE
|
|---|
|
|---|
| Catching our eye recently |
| |
|---|
|
|---|
|
This Dean's For Impact blog has been useful recently - Alan Lesgold, dean of the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, is focuses on the ways in which novices and experts think differently.
Experts – because of their expertise – are able to automate basic tasks, or processing, in order to free up cognitive space to tackle more complex aspects of a problem. They’re also able to see patterns, and organize knowledge, differently than novices.
For teachers, understanding the difference in how novices and experts think will help them support their students in stretching their knowledge and acquiring expertise.
Read the blog here |
|---|
|
|---|
|
National Governance Association
Spotlight on Disdavantage
Research School Network colleague Marc Rowland has contributed his expertise to this recent publication which is well worth reading if you've not seen it already.
This research report explores the role and impact of governing boards in spending, monitoring and evaluating the pupil premium.
Read the paper here |
|---|
|
|---|
|
'Tis the season of conferencing so thanks to our friends at Evidence Based Education for their brace of podcasts sharing inputs from key speakers at this year's Festival of Education:
Day 1 HERE incl. Rob Coe, Craig Barton, David Weston, Nasima Riazat, Harry Fletcher-Wood, Alex Quigley & Susie Dent!
Day 2 HERE incl. Nick Rose, Karen Goldberg, Holly Joseph, Jonathon Haslam, Tom Rees, Daisy Christodoulou & the Foo Fighters!
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
NEW GUIDANCE ON PREPARING FOR LITERACY
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published its latest guidance report, Preparing for Literacy, which reviews the best available research to offer early years professionals practical “do’s and don’ts” to make sure all children start school with the foundations they need to read and write well.
Read more |
|---|
|
|---|
|
BLOG: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN THE EARLY YEARS
Eileen Allpress, Director of Ipswich Research School, introduces the EEF's Preparing for Literacy guidance report and explains how this evidence is brought to life at Highfield Nursery School and Children’s Centre.
Read More |
|---|
|
|---|
|
EEF BLOG: SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF
On the EEF blog, Megan Dixon, Director of Aspirer Research School, introduces the EEF’s early literacy guidance report and explains how the small stuff can make the biggest difference when it comes to learning to read and write.
Read More |
|---|
|
|---|
|
IEE FUNDS A FURTHER FIVE INNOVATION EVALUATIONS AIMED AT IMPROVING PUPIL ACHIEVEMENT (including literacy!)
The Institute for Effective Education (IEE) is pleased to announce the five projects chosen to receive Research Schools Network Innovation Evaluation Grants from the fourth round of funding, which took place in the spring. This brings the total number of innovation evaluation projects currently funded to 21.
Read More |
|---|
|
|---|
|
£5M HOME LEARNING FUND
The Early Years Home Learning round – funded in partnership with the Department for Education – is now open for applications.
The purpose of the fund is to trial projects in the north of England that support parents to improve their children's early language and literacy skills at home before they start school.
Applicants should visit the EEF website and look at some of the promising programmes previously funded, as well as the frequently asked questions, which can be found here.
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
On Tuesday this week, Director Andy Samways represented the Research School Network at the Cambridge Teaching School Network Research Conference. It was a really inspiring event and one which saw contributions from teachers from across their network, research engaged higher education instituitions, multi academy trusts, research organisations, authors and the Chartered College of Teaching to name but a few. From the marketplace to workshops and networing opportunities to panel discussions the focus on developing teaching and learning through creating ever more research-informed schools generated great conversation.
click here for Andy's workshop reading recommendations |
|---|
|
|---|
|
2018/19 TRAINING PROGRAMME UPDATE
Our training calandar for 2018/19 is released soon. Drawing on the best available evidence, building on our highly successful programmes this year and combining expert insight with high quality facilitation our range of three day programmes, workshops and bespoke CPD offer great value and the potential for significant impact.
Three day programmes include:
Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants - developed by Rob Webster (UCL) and Jonathan Sharples (EEF)
Leading Learning - developed by Alex Quigley (RS Lead/EEF) and the Huntigton RS team plus others
Improving Mathematics at KS2&3 - developed by Chris Dale (NCETM) and EEF development team
Tackling the Literacy Challenge - developed by Alex Quigley (RS Lead/EEF) and EEF develpment team
Enhancing Professional Judgement - developed with and facilitated by Dr Gary Jones
In-school training:
Maximising the Practice of Teaching Assistants - developed and licensed by UCL Centre for Inclusive Education
Workshops will include:
Metacognition - from Guidance Report to the classroom
Implementation: putting evidence to work - utilising the Implementation Guidance report within school improvement
NQT and Early Career Teacher Series' - supporting knowledge, skills and habits of evidence based practice
If you wish to discuss hosting elements of our training in your own venue opr have specific requiremnents for evidence based CPD for your context please do contact us.
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
AND FINALLY
..we are bringing it to Suffolk in 2018
researchED Ipswich
Saturday 17th November 2018
Save the date, get involved, come along!
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
|
