Research School Network: 2020 – 21 Online Training In this post Shaun Allison explores how our three day training programmes will be moved online this year.


2020 – 21 Online Training

In this post Shaun Allison explores how our three day training programmes will be moved online this year.

by Durrington Research School
on the

This year we are offering the following training programmes:

Pupil Premium
Leading Learning
Memory and Metacognition
Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment
Improving Behaviour and Attendance
Secondary Literacy
Primary Literacy
Improving KS2/3 Maths

These programmes will form the skeleton of some exciting partnership projects across our regional local authorities, with bespoke wrap-around support for schools to compliment the programmes. Ordinarily, each programme would take place over three days across the year. With the Covid restrictions likely to be in place for the foreseeable future, we have adapted all of our programmes to online delivery.

Each programme will now consist of nine, two hour online modules:

Modular training

Our online training has been shaped by the findings from the recent EEF Rapid Evidence Assessment for Remote Professional Development’:

- We will use a blend of synchronous and asynchronous delivery across the nine modules.
- There will be the provision of personalised remote coaching between the modules.
- Opportunities for collaborative reflection will be threaded through the modules.
- The training will be closely aligned to the improvement priorities of participating schools.


The programmes are aimed at school leaders, who can use the training to shape their school improvement work. This will then maximise the reach of the programmes.

Prior to module 1, delegates will be asked to complete a pre-programme task. This might involve some reading or an in-school activity. This will be discussed during module 1, as well as an exploration of what the delegates want to get out of the programme i.e. what is the problem you are hoping to address in your school context? An important part of this will be a self-review audit.

Module 2 will be an initial deep dive into the evidence, relating to the theme of the training programme. This will unpick what the key findings of the research evidence are and how this might help to address the issues leaders are trying to address. Module 3 will develop this, by beginning to explore how this research evidence could be mobilised in school. So for example, having explored what the research evidence says about metacognition, how can school leaders help teachers in their school to graft these approaches onto their teaching? Delegates will also consider the changes to mobilisation and review strategies they have already tried to implement, to address the issue they are looking to improve.

Module 4 continues to look at the best available evidence, with module 5 and 6 continuing to look at strategies for mobilisation back at their school.

Modules 7, 8 and 9 will draw on the EEF Implementation Guidance Report’. This will support leaders with producing an implementation plan – a detailed plan that will take leaders through the four stages of effectively implementing the new approaches back at their school – explore, prepare, deliver and sustain. Module 9 will also give delegates the opportunity to discuss how the Research School can continue to work with them, beyond the training programme, with a view to sustaining the impact of the training.

We are really excited about working with school leaders from across the south-east of England. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us – research@​durring.​com

Shaun Allison – Director of Durrington Research School

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