Research School Network: HRS Podcast series 2025/26

Episode 5 – release date 06/07/2026 – Checking for Understanding that Leads to Action

In this podcast, our Director, Jane Elsworth and Assistant Director, Julie Kettlewell explore how checking for understanding is most effective when it leads to adaptive teaching. Drawing on EEF guidance, they examine how questioning and low‑stakes assessment can be used to identify misconceptions and inform responsive teaching in real time. The focus is on adapting teaching to meet learners’ needs, rather than creating separate lessons, and avoiding common pitfalls such as assuming understanding from participation or task completion.

Podcast July 2026: Checking for Understanding that Leads to Action

Previous podcasts

Episode 1 – release date 14/11/2025 – Effective Professional Development in 16 – 19 settings:

In a time of rising need and stretched capacity, effective professional development (PD) in post-16 education must do more than improve teaching — it must actively support equity. In this episode we look at the latest EEF guidance, which offers a vital framework for doing just that.


Episode 2 – release date 21/11/2025 – Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning:

Following a substantial review of the evidence an updated version of the Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning Guidance Report has been released. In this episode we will explore these updates and discover how teaching pupils to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning can lead to significant progress, especially for disadvantaged learners. We unpack the seven key recommendations and share practical strategies to embed metacognitive thinking across subjects. Tune in to learn how to help students become more independent, reflective, and effective learners.

Episode 3 – release date 28/11/2025 – Deployment of Teaching Assistants: 

In this episode, we dive into the newly updated Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Guidance Report on the deployment of Teaching Assistants. With over 280,000 TAs now working in schools across England, their role has never been more vital, or more complex. We explore the five evidence-informed recommendations designed to help school leaders, teachers, and support staff maximise the impact of TAs on pupil outcomes.

Episode 4 – release date 21/05/2026 – Enhancing Post-16 Teaching and Learning

In this podcast, our Director, Jane Elsworth and Assistant Director, Julie Kettlewell explore how post‑16 teaching and learning can be strengthened. Drawing on educational research and their own classroom experience, they reflect on what the evidence tells us about the post‑16 attainment gap, where it is most evident, and how we can support students to become successful, independent learners. The discussion also highlights current and emerging work from the EEF in this phase.