Evidence into Action

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

Implementation in schools

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

Using research evidence well in education

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

Supporting school attendance

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.

Primary Science

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.