Research 30/10/2024

Joint practice development through a peer-led school improvement partnership: research-driven recommendations for policymakers and school leaders

By David Godfrey, Dr Bernardita Munoz-Chereau

Download now

This report presents a summary of a three-year project conducted by academics at the University College London (UCL) Centre for Education Leadership, funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), evaluating EDT’s Schools Partnership Programme (SPP). On the SPP, clusters of schools conduct peer reviews and support one another’s improvement – leading to improved system leadership and greater accountability in England’s schools.

The report outlines the key components of the SPP and the key findings from the EEF project. It offers research-driven recommendations for policymakers and school leaders on how peer-led initiatives can foster teacher professional development, improve school outcomes, and encourage leadership.

Key findings focus on the SPP’s positive impact on teacher professional development, teacher leadership and joint practice development, knowledge exchange and collaboration, and addressing education disadvantage. A number of recommendations emerged from these findings in areas such as collaborative professional development, external versus professional accountability, leadership development, targeted support for schools in disadvantaged areas, and the importance of evidence-informed practice.

Find out more about the Schools Partnership programme

Joint practice development through a peer-led school improvement partnership: research-driven recommendations for policymakers and school leaders

Download now

Related Content

Article

SPP and UCL knowledge exchange brings together European partners to peer review

We are delighted to announce that EDT’s Schools Partnership Programme has confirmed a continuation of its collaboration with University College London.

Programme

Schools Partnership Programme

Schools Partnership Programme is EDT's flagship school improvement programme, putting collaboration and peer review at the forefront of sustainable change.

Research

Developing a gifted and talented strategy: lessons from the UK experience

This report looks at research issues relating to giftedness, in addition to the practical experience of schools in the UK 1999-2009.

Insights

The Schools Partnership Programme

The Schools Partnership Programme is our cluster-based school improvement model based on rigorous and impact-focused peer review. We support school leaders to drive their own improvement, through a continuous cycle of self-review, peer review and school-to-school support and improvement.