Lorwyn Randall introduces the Kingsbridge Research School

​As the education tanker turns increasingly in the direction of educational research, the collaborative power of teaching school alliances such as DSTA puts the southwest in a strong position for effecting real change in the way that we approach teaching and learning. Working with the Education Endowment Foundation and the Institute for Effective Education, Kingsbridge Research School is establishing a network of organisations keen to recalibrate their approach to focus on the growing evidence base being generated by the profession, for the profession.
 
As schools face ever increasing pressure on budgets, there has never been a better time to make use of the school-to-school support mechanisms that have emerged in recent years. By collaborating on evidence-informed professional development and supporting colleagues across the region to carry out research projects testing the efficacy of new and existing strategies, we can refine as well as broaden what we do for our pupils and their learning.
 
It's true to say that tankers turn slowly. And this is certainly true for the education tanker where research suggests it takes seven years to fully embed a new teaching and learning strategy whole-school. But taking an evidence informed approach to what we do, whether it be teacher marking (A Marked Improvement) or using our excellent Teaching Assistants more effectively (Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants), is not something new. It simply requires us to turn the tanker a few degrees in the direction of the evidence and in doing so we can change the point of arrival significantly for the children we are teaching.
 
To sign up for the Kingsbridge Research School newsletter and for more information about how to get involved in evidence-based training, research projects and grant applications, contact Lorwyn Randall, Director of Research at Kingsbridge Research School, here: https://kingsbridge.researchschool.org.uk/contact-us/
 
Alternatively, call the Kingsbridge Research School Project Manager, Victoria Flower, on 01548 852641 ext. 180.