Research 24/07/2022

The school Research Lead

By Tom Bennett

Download now

This is the second of three publications that collectively provide a commentary on research awareness and research use within schools in England.

The researchED movement has generated a new debate about the role of research in schools. Of course there have always been teachers interested in undertaking research and applying the research findings of others. However, involvement in research has tended to be the personal enthusiasm of the individual teacher rather than a coordinated whole school endeavour. One of the many exciting aspects of the current debate that researchED has stimulated is the emergence of the idea of the Research Lead. Many schools now have a key individual who takes a whole school view of the use of evidence.

So how should new Research Leads see their role? This report addresses the question in two ways. Tom Bennett, the founder of researchED, has written a thought-provoking essay that sets out some of the ways in which the work of the Research Lead can be conceptualised. Tom explores a range of different approaches to research leadership. In addition to Tom’s tour of the horizon, several pioneering Research Leads have provided fascinating case studies of research leadership in action in their own schools. Both Tom’s analysis and the vignettes from the schools collectively make a powerful case for the new role and the potential benefits in terms of better teaching and learning. The different contributions also make it clear that there is no single blueprint that schools should follow as they explore research engagement.

Downloads

The school Research Lead

This is the second of three publications that collectively provide a commentary on research awareness and research use within schools in England.

Download now

Related Content

Article

EDT to support school improvement in Leicestershire through new local authority partnership

EDT is delighted to be working with Leicestershire Local Authority and 29 local schools through the Schools Partnership Programme (SPP), forming a supportive professional learning network (PLN) focused on sustainable school improvement. Working closely with school leadership teams and the Education Effectiveness Team (EET), which supports all education settings in Leicestershire, this partnership focuses on empowering all staff to actively participate in the school improvement process.

Research

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

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.

Research

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

Research

Raising student achievement in literacy and numeracy through a teacher coaching programme: a case study from Brunei Darussalam

Literacy and numeracy matter. Without proficiency in these foundational skills, students cannot succeed in their education or future careers. The case study from Brunei described in this report provides a practical example of how learning outcomes in this area can be improved through the power of teacher coaching.