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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Evidence into Action is a podcast from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
This podcast welcomes experts in the field of education – fantastic researchers with important things to say, alongside a wealth of brilliant teachers and school leaders. Our mission is straightforward: to tackle the most important educational topics and offer you plenty of evidence-based ideas to reflect on and, hopefully, be able to put into action.
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