Independent Review of Mathematics Teaching in Early Years Settings and Primary Schools. Final Report
This is the final report of the Review of Mathematics Teaching in Early Years Settings and Primary Schools, chaired by Sir Peter Williams. This extensive review was announced by the Secretary of State on the 10 July 2007 and the final report sets out the review’s conclusions in light of an extensive period of information and evidence gathering. The review follows, and is complementary to, the Rose Review of teaching of early reading, and will complement Sir Jim Rose’s review of the whole pr
Mathematics: understanding the score
The Ofsted report ‘Mathematics: understanding the score' was published on 19th September, spearing news headlines which emphasise one of the findings, that too much mathematics is "taught to the test". The report is drawn from evidence garnered chiefly during inspections between April 2005 and December 2007 from 192 schools. This evidence, as the report clearly states, played a part in the findings of the Primary Review of Mathematics, published last Summer.
The Influence of School and Teaching Quality on Children’s Progress in Primary School
The resource is a report of research which “investigates the way school and classroom processes affect the cognitive progress and social/behavioural development of children between the ages of 6 (Year 1) and 10 (Year 5) in primary schools in England.” (page i) The research is part of a large research project funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The project was called Effective Pre-School and Primary Education (EPPE 3-11). This project followed the cognitive and
Grammars pressed over poor pupils
As reported on the BBC, a recently published study for the Sutton Trust into the "Evidence on the effects of selective educational systems" suggests that grammar schools are only enrolling half as many able pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds than is possible. The researchers also found, however, that 54 of the 100 most socially selective schools are faith schools, compared to 17 state grammars
White boys from low-income backgrounds: good practice in schools
This "report on a small survey of good practice" was undertaken by Ofsted in 20 schools across England, which were "identified from inspection evidence and discussion with local authorities" to be schools "where white British boys from low-income backgrounds performed better in public tests and examinations than their counterparts in other schools". These schools were mainly in areas with high levels of deprivation, although a few of them had a minority of boys from low-income families on roll,
Evidence Based Education: Keynote at the TTRB Seminar in Redworth Hall, Darlington
At our recent refresh seminar at Redworth Hall in Darlington, Professor Peter Tymms presented a keynote address on 'Evidence Based Education'. Attached to this article is the presentation used and an audio recording of Peter's talk.
Safer Children in a Digital World: the report of the Byron Review
The Byron Review (under the Chairmanship of Dr. Tanya Byron) is an independent review supported by officials from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The review carried out an assessment of the internet and video games, and informs children, adults and policy makers how they might affect young people. The report describes how the evidence was collected, what it revealed, the effectiveness of existing measures, and includes recommenda
Curee/TLRP Research Tasters
This part of the CUREE website hosts a number of ‘research tasters’, which are short articles encouraging practitioners to engage in evidence-based enquiry in their own educational setting through collecting evidence available to them and using it to reflect upon, inform and enhance their own practice. Here, a variety of materials have been produced by TLRP in collaboration with CUREE, in order for the findings of the TLRP and other relevant research to be disseminated to those with an inter
Rising to the Challenge: a review of the Teach First ITT programme
This is an Ofsted inspection report of the Teach First initial teacher training provision, an employment-based route into teaching based in London and managed jointly by Teach First and Canterbury Christ Church University. This two year programme places graduate student teachers in schools in challenging circumstances with the objective of raising achievement in the schools and providing a high quality training experience. Although the trainees found the school-based experience extremely challen
TDA E-Learning Grant Reports Round Two: CILT
This is a report for a TDA funded project, based at CILT, focusing on the development and impact of e-learning on ITE provision.
Evolution and Phylogenetics
The ability to compare DNA sequences from different organisms is refining our perspective on evolution. This session illustrates how molecular techniques are now combined with fossil evidence to explore relationships in organisms from whales to anthrax.
Ofsted: Making more of music
The Ofsted report ‘Making more of music: An evaluation of music in schools 2005/08' was published on 4th February, spearing news headlines such as "Music lessons 'not good enough'", taken from the BBC website. The report is drawn from evidence garnered chiefly during inspections between 2005 and 2008 from mainstream schools. The report is structured into two sections; the first section centres on inspection findings, and the second part "considers the essential components of effective teaching
National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth: Evaluation
This is a summative evaluation to the now historical National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) that was funded from 2002-2007 by the then DfES. The project was initially based at the University of Warwick, but following a competitive open tender process in August 2007 was awarded to CfBT Education Trust, who replaced NAGTY with the Young Gifted and Talented (YG&T) Learner Academy. Over the five years that Warwick held the contract, NAGTY developed a three 'academies' structure: the
Cambridge Primary Review: Towards a New Primary Curriculum
On 20 February, The Cambridge Primary Review published a special report on the primary curriculum, 'Towards a New Primary Curriculum'. This is in two parts; 'Part 1: Past and Present' identifies issues, describes and contextualises current arrangements, analyses the Review's evidence about strengths and weaknesses of the existing curriculum, and recommends what should change. 'Part 2: The Future' provides a summary of the main points, other matters to be resolved, and proposals for reform. Launc
The National College of School Leadership (NCSL)
The National College of School Leadership (NCSL) was launched in 2000 and aims to "to make a difference to children's lives through excellent school leadership". It is based at a purpose built learning and conference centre in Nottingham. The College is funded by the government and its work is informed by four key goals.
TDA E-Learning Grant Reports Round Two: Cornwall SCITT
This is a report for a TDA funded project, based at the Cornwall SCITT, focusing on the development and impact of e-learning on ITE provision. This project focused on enhancing the routine use of school-centred ICT learning tools.
Extended Schools Survey of Schools, Pupils and Parents: A Quantitative Study of Perceptions and Usag
This is a research paper commissioned to Ipsos MORI by the DCSF to examine provision in extended schools (primary, secondary and special). The research paper clearly presents the background to the development of extended schools, the methodology for the research, its findings and it makes a set of recommendations based on these.
Closing the gap between boys’ and girls’ attainment in school
This report by Estyn, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, presents findings from 2006-2008 relating to closing the gap between boys' and girls' attainment in schools. It is based on inspection reports and/or investigating schools with high GCSE results for boys and girls, data and document scrutiny, and what is described as "a review of recent research".
Teachers Matter: Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers: Overview
This resource is a report published by the OECD focusing on the preparation, recruitment, work and careers of teachers. It is an overview document based on a major study of teacher policy carried out between 2002-4 involving responses from 25 countries around the world, including the UK. It would be of interest to ITE tutors and student teachers as it raises a number of important issues that are of international concern, but which can also be directly linked to current educational policy initiat
Evidence Matters: Towards informed professionalism in education
The resource is a CfBT publication that is focused upon the way in which knowledge about educational practice is produced and put to use. The paper examines the recent impact of research evidence on educational policy and practice, and presents recommendations for more effective structures and relationships in the future. A case is made for the transference of ways of working from other fields in which there is a continued interface between the research task and the practice setting.
