In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould talk to EEF’s Senior Policy Manager, Natalie Ohene, about the findings of a research project investigating how schools in England allocate spending on their Pupil Premium statements. They then discuss approaches to sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy with school leaders.  Guest Speakers: Natalie Ohene (EEF Senior Policy Manager), LinkedIn  Lisa Wise (Headteacher of Wilbury Primary School and Executive Lead for School Improvement at Children First Academy Trust) @WilburyPrimary @ChildrenFirstAT Stuart Mayle (Headteacher of Brambles Primary Academy) LinkedIn Tees Valley Education LinkedIn Further resources Verian project report, Understanding Pupil Premium spending in schools The EEF Guide to the Pupil Premium The EEF Guide to the Early Years Pupil Premium For more support, get in touch with your local Research School

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould discuss the EEF’s newly updated guidance on deployment of teaching assistants. They are joined by expert Gary Aubin who discusses the role of TAs in supporting children with SEND, followed by practitioners who reflect on effective TA deployment in their settings: Gary Aubin (EEF SEND Associate, co-author of the Deployment of Teaching Assistants Guidance Report, and the lead of Whole Education’s work supporting MATs in relation to SEND)  @SENDMattersUK @sendmattersuk.bsky.social Gary Aubin LinkedIn   Sam Smithies (Assistant SENDCo, Hathershaw College Oldham) Instagram: @hathershawcollege @THELINK.HATHERSHAW   Claire Akroyd (Head of School, West Vale Academy, Halifax) Facebook: West Vale Academy Instagram: @westvaleacademy1Further resources   EEF, Deployment of Teaching Assistants Guidance Report (Updated March 2025) EEF Teaching & Learning Toolkit strand on Teaching Assistant Interventions DfE, Use of teaching assistants in schools Research report (September 2024) RSN Blog by Claire Akroyd, Intentional deployment of Teaching Assistants; an integral component of inclusion RSN Blog by Sam Smithies, Supporting Independence: A Learning Support Assistant’s Reflection and Growth  

In this episode, Host Alex Quigley and the EEF’s Literacy Specialist, Chloe Butlin, discuss the importance of subject-specific talk across the curriculum. They are joined by experts and practitioners from different phases and subject areas.

In this episode, Host Alex Quigley and the EEF’s Maths Content & Engagement Specialist, Grace Coker, are exploring why manipulatives matter in maths. They speak to Dr Sue Gifford to discuss the research evidence around the use of manipulatives and are then joined by practitioners from both primary and secondary schools to find out the benefits of using manipulatives in their settings. Dr Sue Gifford (Early Childhood Maths Group) Emma Barker (Assistant headteacher and maths lead, Amberley Primary School; Primary Mastery Specialist and Lead Specialist for Great North Maths Hub) @MissEBarker Guy Carpenter (Director of Research and Innovation, Dudley Academies Trust) @gcarp567 www.linkedin.com/in/guy-carpenter-192560305 Further resources EEF, Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1 Guidance Report (October 2021) EEF, Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 Guidance Report (November 2022) EEF blog, Myth-busting mathematical manipulatives EEF blog, Five ways manipulatives can be used to develop mathematical understanding EEF guest blog by Emma Barker, Manipulatives: a window into pupils' mathematical thinking   

In the final episode of our three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’ host Harry Madgwick meets with Yamina Bibi to discuss how teachers can best exercise their professional judgment, with insights from a panel of experts.   Episode 1: Teaching: an art or science - part 1 Episode 2: Teaching: an art or science - part 2   Yamina Bibi (Project specialist at Chartered College of Teaching and freelance consultant)    Panel: Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching) Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional development consultant and instructional coach) Dr Sally Riordan (Associate Professor of Social Policy Research, Northeastern University London)  Further resources Metacognition Guidance Report Engaging with Evidence report

In this second episode of our three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’, host Harry Madgwick meets with Sarah Stock, Director of Newcastle Research School, to discuss teachers’ use of research evidence, with insights from a panel of experts:   Sarah Stock (Director of Newcastle Research School, Primary School Improvement Lead NEAT Academy Trust)   Panel: Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching) @CatScutt Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional development consultant and instructional coach) @scottinghatt Dr Sally Riordan (Associate Professor of Social Policy Research, Northeastern University London) You can catch up on part 1 here.    Further resources EEF, Teacher Feedback to Improve Pupil Learning Guidance Report (October 2021) EEF Blog, The ShREC approach EEF, Vocabulary in Action tool (based on Beck model) EEF, Using Research Evidence: A Concise Guide (January 2024) Research Schools Network Clips from the Classroom

In the first episode of a three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Harry Madgwick (EEF senior content and engagement manager) and expert guests including: Damilola Ajagbonna (Deputy Headteacher, Hitchin Boys’ School) Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching) Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional development consultant and instructional coach) Dr Sally Riordan (Senior Research Fellow, UCL) In this episode, Harry meets with his mentor from when he was an ECT to discuss what ECTs must master first upon entering the profession, what good mentoring can involve, and how to stay present and motivated as a teacher, accompanied by insights from a panel of experts.

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Kirsten Mould and expert guests. They discuss breakfast club provision in schools, implementation challenges, impact, and advice for those looking to set up breakfast club provision in their setting. Lindsey McDonald, Chief Executive, Magic Breakfast, @LindseyMac_ @Magic_Breakfast (Start – 19:50) Toni Hayzen, Headteacher, Pembroke Park Primary School and Nursery, @PrimaryHT_Mum and Ash McGann, Headteacher, Burton Green Primary School (19:59 - End) Further Resources:  EEF Breakfast Interventions: Rapid Evidence Assessment (August 2024) TES, How to Build an Effective Breakfast Club: What the Research Says (August 2024) To find out more about the Magic Breakfast Early Adopters Scheme: Early Adopters Scheme - Magic Breakfast School Food Matters | School Food Matters

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Rachael Cattrall, EEF Content Specialist Alumna) and expert guests. They discuss the evolution of retrieval practice and insights into cognitive science, including how these principles and practices are being applied in classrooms.  Dr Tom Perry, Associate Professor, University of Warwick (Start - 24:10) Rachel Wilson, Year 6 teacher & Deputy Research Director of Norwich Research School (24:10 - 37:50) Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, Dixons Academies Trust (37:50 - End) Further Resources:  Cognitive Science Approaches in the Classroom: a Review of  the Evidence (summary) EEF Podcast: Cognitive Science in the Classroom The Processes of Memory: A brief explainer Cognitive Load Theory: A brief explainer

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould, EEF Senior Content and Engagement Manager, and expert guests. They discuss implementation in schools following the recent update of the EEF's implementation guidance report. They explore how we think about implementation and what it looks like in a practical sense. Jonathan Sharples, Associate Professor, EEF (Start - 28:23) Phil Stock, Director of Greenshaw Research School (28:23 - 49:27) Laura Spence, Director of Gloucestershire Research School (49:27 - End) Further Resources: EEF, A School’s Guide to Implementation guidance report (Updated April 2024) Engage and Unite: moving beyond buy-in – blog from Greenshaw Research School

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirstin Mulholland, EEF Associate for School Engagement and Evidence Use, and expert guests. They discuss using research evidence well in the context of education, exploring the development of a culture and capacity for engaging with evidence in schools. Prof Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development at Evidence Based Education, EEF Senior Associate (3:10 - 30:03) Sean Harris, Lead for Research Improvement and Innovation at Tees Valley Education Trust (30:03 - 48:33)  Claire Williams, Deputy Headteacher of Alexandra Park Primary School and Director of Alexandra Park Research School (48:33 - End) Further Resources:  EEF Using Research Evidence – a concise guide (Published January 2024) Research School Network The COM-B Model for behaviour change – an explainer from The Decision Lab

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Freya Morrissey, EEF Content Specialist for Learning Behaviours, and expert guests. They discuss the complex topic of attendance and explore what the evidence tells us about the best ways to support it. Owen Carter, Director at ImpactEd (Start - 19:48) Jane Elsworth, Director of Huntington Research School (19:48 - 41:28) Oliver Kerr, Headteacher of Old Moat Primary School, Manchester (41:28 - End) Further Resources: Impact Ed: Understanding Attendance report EEF Supporting School Attendance webpage EEF’s Attendance intervention rapid evidence review 2022 For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Grace Coker, EEF Content Specialist for maths, and expert guests. They discuss high-quality science teaching that fosters progress and children’s interest in science. Sarah Earle, Reader in Education, Bath Spa University (Start - 28:14) Ben Rogers, Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Paradigm Trust (28:14 - 47:21) Mikaela Moore, Director of Primary Science, Delta Academy Trust (47:21 - End) Further Resources: Improving primary science guidance report, Education Endowment Foundation (Published November 2023) Guidance and resources to support teaching and assessment, Teacher Assessment in Primary Science (TAPS) Explorify resources For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by Kirsten Mould and expert guests to discuss how best to support pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Guests include: Dr Rebecca Montacute, Head of Research and Policy, Sutton Trust (Start - 30:32) Marc Rowland, Pupil Premium Adviser, Unity School’s Partnership (30:32 - 53:26) Gill Fearns, Director, Lancashire Research School (53:26 - End) Further Resources: Contextual Admissions, Sutton Trust The COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) study Elitist Britain, Sutton Trust The EEF Guide to the Pupil Premium, Education Endowment Foundation (Updated September 2024) For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Nicola Cherry, EEF Early Years Content Specialist and Early Years Delivery Manager for North Somerset Council, alongside expert guests. They discuss PSED and how we can support how early years practice can be enriched through evidence-use. Claudia Coussins, Deputy Head of Early Years - Policy and Practice, Anna Freud Centre (Start - 20:45) Ruth Coleman, Headteacher, Highfield Nursery School (20:45 - 38:44) Louise Jackson, Independent Consultant, Author, Trainer and Teacher, Wye Early Years (38:44 - End) For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there. Further Resources: EEF Early Years Hub Since this episode was recorded there have been updates to the Early Years Evidence Store, including the Personal, Social & Emotional Development theme, the Self-Regulation & Executive Function theme and the ‘Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing in the early years’ guide.     

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould, EEF Senior Content Specialist, and expert guests to discuss how best to support pupils with SEND, outlining the current challenges and opportunities in schools. Gary Aubin, EEF Associate content specialist for SEND and Head of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at Future Academies (3:10 - 23:47) Rebecca Gonyora, Director of Inclusion (MAT) Every Child, Every Day Academy Trust and Deputy Regional SEN Lead for East of England and East London (WSS) (23:47 - 43:07) Jon Eaton, Director of Kingsbridge Research School and Research Lead at Kingsbridge Community College (43:07 - End For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and subscribe. Further reading EEF’s Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools guidance report EEF resource: reflecting on your practice EEF blog: Assess, adjust, adapt – what does adaptive teaching mean to you? EEF blog: Moving from ‘differentiation’ to ‘adaptive teaching’ Whole School SEND

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Hannah Heron, Learning Behaviours Content Specialist for the EEF, and expert guests, to discuss metacognition, with particular focus on putting study strategies into practice. Professor John Dunlosky, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Science of Learning Center at Kent State University (Start - 34:16) Jo Ashcroft, CEO of the CLIC Trust (34:16 - 49:34) Freya Morrissey, Head of English at Teign School (49:34 - End) Further Resources: EEF Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning Guidance Report (Published April 2018)  

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Alex Reynolds, Literacy Content Specialist for the EEF, and expert guests to discuss vocabulary instruction, connections to reading and the curriculum. Professor Jessie Ricketts, Director of Language and the reading acquisition research group for the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London (Start - 27:25) Marcus Jones, Literacy Lead at Huntington Research School and English Teacher (27:25 - 50:32) Host and co-host reflections (50:32 - End) Further Resources: EEF Vocabulary in Action Classroom Strategies Resource EEF Vocabulary in Action: Misconceptions Resource EEF Blog, Through the Keyhole of the Reading House, Part 1: Vocabulary, Comprehension and Word Reading

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and EEF Senior Content Manager Kirsten Mould are joined by expert guests in linguistics and education, alongside education leaders, to discuss how best to support pupils with English as an Additional Language. Guests include: Prof Victoria Murphy, Director of the Department of Education & Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Oxford (Start - 27:45) Diana Sutton, The Bell Foundation (27:45 - 42:27) Karl Rogerson, Principal of Billesley Primary School and Director of Billesley Research School (42:27 - End)

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and EEF Senior Content Manager Kirsten Mould are joined by expert guests to discuss evidence informed leadership.Guests include: Nick Brook, Deputy General Secretary at NAHT and Chair of the School Improvement Commission (Start - 24:00) Asima Iqbal, Vice Principal of Billesley Research School (24:00 - 40:50) Alex Samways, Director of Research School and Teaching School Hub, Unity Schools Partnership (41:02 - End)