Evidence into Action

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Katie Luxton (EEF’s Senior Programme Manager), dive into what effective professional development looks like in 16–19 settings. They're joined by Evidence Partnership colleagues to unpack the latest evidence, share practical tips on putting this into practice, and highlight what’s making a real difference in their setting.

Guest Speakers:

Mandy Senior (Assistant Principal- Thomas Rotherham College, Trust improvement partner- Inspire Learning Trust)

Sue Smith (Learning and Development Manager, East Lancashire Learning Group)

Further resources

EEF’s 16-19 hub with the latest news and links to key resources, and for further insights into our Evidence Partnership colleges.  

EEF’s Effective professional development guidance for 16-19 settings

EEF’s KEEP framework (knowledge, engagement, execution, practice)

EEF’s schools guide to implementation – very relevant also to 16-19 settings. 

Sign up for EEF’s 16-19 newsletter here.

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould talk to EEF’s Senior Policy Manager, Natalie Ohene, about the findings of a research project investigating how schools in England allocate spending on their Pupil Premium statements. They then discuss approaches to sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy with school leaders. 

Guest Speakers:

Natalie Ohene (EEF Senior Policy Manager), LinkedIn 

Lisa Wise (Headteacher of Wilbury Primary School and Executive Lead for School Improvement at Children First Academy Trust) @WilburyPrimary @ChildrenFirstAT

Stuart Mayle (Headteacher of Brambles Primary Academy) LinkedIn Tees Valley Education LinkedIn

Further resources

Verian project report, Understanding Pupil Premium spending in schools

The EEF Guide to the Pupil Premium

The EEF Guide to the Early Years Pupil Premium

For more support, get in touch with your local Research School

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

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

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