Research School Network: Research-leads Part 4 – The Influencer

Being a Research-lead can be a pivotal role in a school, enabling evidence-informed decisions to improve school outcomes. Following on from the sold-out success of our 2017 programme, the new course begins in January. To join us, take a look at our Building Confident Research-leads programme.

In the final part of our four blogs on the different facets of the Research-lead, Marcus Jones looks at how you can act as an ​‘Influencer’. Catch up on the rest of the series:

Part 1 – The Storyteller

Part 2 – The Broker

Part 3 – Devil’s Advocate

Whatever balance a Research-lead ultimately strikes between Storyteller, Broker and Devil’s Advocate, it can without doubt be an important role of influence in any school or MAT that wants to put evidence at the heart of its day-to-day business.

The previous blogs have suggested that a Research-lead may be there during conversations with Ofsted, contribute to CPD design, cohere funding bids and be in a position to shift the format of SLT meetings. A pretty privileged position it would seem!

It certainly does not mean the Research-lead is the only one with information, experience and a valid opinion, but by ensuring that key decisions are seen through the lens of evidence as well as other factors, it can ensure schools feel more confident in where their time, energy and money is going.

While the role will naturally shift depending on a school’s context, it is fairly clear that it requires the Research-lead to be a part of, or certainly have consistent and meaningful access to, SLT discussions. This is equally vital if the Research-lead is taking on a cross-schools role within a MAT. There is little point in having someone there who may be able to inform decision making in a meaningful way, and yet they sit apart from the meetings where those decisions happen.

If you think there is a place for a Research-lead within your school then we hope to see you on the course later this month.

Marcus Jones, Huntington Research-lead: Literacy

@marcusjones900