Evidence into Action

Effective professional development in 16-19 settings

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Katie Luxton (EEF’s Senior Programme Manager), dive into what effective professional development looks like in 16–19 settings. They're joined by Evidence Partnership colleagues to unpack the latest evidence, share practical tips on putting this into practice, and highlight what’s making a real difference in their setting.

Guest Speakers:

• Mandy Senior (Assistant Principal- Thomas Rotherham College, Trust improvement partner- Inspire Learning Trust)
• Sue Smith (Learning and Development Manager, East Lancashire Learning Group)

Further resources

• EEF’s 16-19 hub with the latest news and links to key resources, and for further insights into our Evidence Partnership colleges.  
• EEF’s Effective professional development guidance for 16-19 settings
• EEF’s KEEP framework (knowledge, engagement, execution, practice)
• EEF’s schools guide to implementation – very relevant also to 16-19 settings. 

Sign up for EEF’s 16-19 newsletter here. 

 

 

Sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy

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

Deployment of teaching assistants

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: @westvaleacademy1

Further 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

 

Talking the talk: subject-specific talk across the curriculum

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:

 

• Shareen Wilkinson (Education Adviser and Author, and Executive Director of Education, LEO Academy Trust) X: @ShareenAdvice BlueSky: @mrswilkinson.bsky.social LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shareen-wilkinson

• Alex Fairlamb (Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning) at Kings Priory School, and WAT T&L Network Lead)  X: @lamb_heart_tea BlueSky: @lambhearttea.bsky.social  Website: alexfairlamb.com

• Rachel Dixon (Curriculum Area Leader for Science, Oldham Sixth Form College) @pinnacleLTRS ,  https://www.linkedin.com/company/oldham-sixth-form-college/

 

Further resources

• EEF, Improving Literacy in Key Stage 2 Guidance Report (November 2021)
• EEF, Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools Guidance Report (July 2019)
• EEF blog, What does the evidence base tell us about effective oral language practice?
• EEF blog, From talk to text: integrating oral language within writing instruction
• EEF blog, Building strong readers: why oral language is the foundation of the reading house

 

Why manipulatives matter in the maths classroom

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 

 

Teaching: an art or science - part 3

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

Teaching: an art or science - part 2

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

Teaching: an art or science - part 1

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.

Breakfast clubs

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

Retrieval practice

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