Evidence into Action

In this episode, Alex Quigley and Grace Coker explore problem solving in maths and why it is a priority.   They are joined by Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons), Dr Helen Drury, (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons), and practitioners Tom Pole (Director of Tu...

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Helen Urbanowicz explore socioeconomic disadvantage in 16-19 education. Joined by David Robinson (Education Policy Institute), Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College) and Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College), they unpack what the evidence says about widening attainment and part...

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Corinne Settle (EEF’s Teaching and Learning Specialist) discuss the implementation of metacognition strategies. Experts and practitioners from various phases and subject areas join us to unpack these approaches, exploring what they look like in practice and the impact they have on learners. Guest speakers: Dr Beverley Jennings (EEF Programme Manager) Tom...

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 (Ass...

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...

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 Assista...

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...

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 G...

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...

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 Executiv...

In the first episode of a three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Harry Madgwick (EEF senior content and engagement manager) and expert guests including: Damilola Ajagbonna (Deputy Headteacher, Hitchin Boys’ School) Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching) Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional developm...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Kirsten Mould and expert guests. They discuss breakfast club provision in schools, implementation challenges, impact, and advice for those looking to set up breakfast club provision in their setting. Lindsey McDonald, Chief Executive, Magic Breakfast, @LindseyMac_ @Magic_Breakfast (Start – 19:50) Toni Hayzen, Headteacher, Pembroke Park Pri...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Rachael Cattrall, EEF Content Specialist Alumna) and expert guests. They discuss the evolution of retrieval practice and insights into cognitive science, including how these principles and practices are being applied in classrooms.  Dr Tom Perry, Associate Professor, University of Warwick (Start - 24:10) Rachel Wilson, Year 6 teacher &amp...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould, EEF Senior Content and Engagement Manager, and expert guests. They discuss implementation in schools following the recent update of the EEF's implementation guidance report. They explore how we think about implementation and what it looks like in a practical sense. Jonathan Sharples, Associate Professor, EEF (Start - 28:23)...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirstin Mulholland, EEF Associate for School Engagement and Evidence Use, and expert guests. They discuss using research evidence well in the context of education, exploring the development of a culture and capacity for engaging with evidence in schools. Prof Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development at Evidence Based Education, EEF S...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Freya Morrissey, EEF Content Specialist for Learning Behaviours, and expert guests. They discuss the complex topic of attendance and explore what the evidence tells us about the best ways to support it. Owen Carter, Director at ImpactEd (Start - 19:48) Jane Elsworth, Director of Huntington Research School (19:48 - 41:28) Oliver Kerr, Head...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Grace Coker, EEF Content Specialist for maths, and expert guests. They discuss high-quality science teaching that fosters progress and children’s interest in science. Sarah Earle, Reader in Education, Bath Spa University (Start - 28:14) Ben Rogers, Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Paradigm Trust (28:14 - 47:21) Mikaela Moore, Director...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by Kirsten Mould and expert guests to discuss how best to support pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Guests include: Dr Rebecca Montacute, Head of Research and Policy, Sutton Trust (Start - 30:32) Marc Rowland, Pupil Premium Adviser, Unity School’s Partnership (30:32 - 53:26) Gill Fearns, Director, Lancashire Research School (5...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Nicola Cherry, EEF Early Years Content Specialist and Early Years Delivery Manager for North Somerset Council, alongside expert guests. They discuss PSED and how we can support how early years practice can be enriched through evidence-use. Claudia Coussins, Deputy Head of Early Years - Policy and Practice, Anna Freud Centre (Start - 20:45)...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould, EEF Senior Content Specialist, and expert guests to discuss how best to support pupils with SEND, outlining the current challenges and opportunities in schools. Gary Aubin, EEF Associate content specialist for SEND and Head of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at Future Academies (3:10 - 23:47) Rebecca Gonyora, Dir...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Hannah Heron, Learning Behaviours Content Specialist for the EEF, and expert guests, to discuss metacognition, with particular focus on putting study strategies into practice. Professor John Dunlosky, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Science of Learning Center at Kent State University (Start - 34:16) Jo Ashcroft, CEO of the CLI...

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Alex Reynolds, Literacy Content Specialist for the EEF, and expert guests to discuss vocabulary instruction, connections to reading and the curriculum. Professor Jessie Ricketts, Director of Language and the reading acquisition research group for the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London (Start - 27:25) Marcus Jon...

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and EEF Senior Content Manager Kirsten Mould are joined by expert guests in linguistics and education, alongside education leaders, to discuss how best to support pupils with English as an Additional Language. Guests include: Prof Victoria Murphy, Director of the Department of Education & Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Oxford (Start - 27:...

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and EEF Senior Content Manager Kirsten Mould are joined by expert guests to discuss evidence informed leadership. Guests include: Nick Brook, Deputy General Secretary at NAHT and Chair of the School Improvement Commission (Start - 24:00) Asima Iqbal, Vice Principal of Billesley Research School (24:00 - 40:50) Alex Samways, Director of Research School and Teac...

In this new instalment, our expert panel discuss the evidence around how to prepare pupils for exams effectively. Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by our Learning Behaviours Content Specialist, Kirsten Mould, in discussion with: Prof. David Putwain of Liverpool John Moores University (Start – 26.55); Sadie Thompson, Deputy Director of HISP Research School and Modern Foreign Language teacher (26...