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Pinnacle Learning Research School is part of theResearch Schools Network, a collaboration of schools across England supported by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). Hosted by Oldham Sixth Form College, we are currently the only post-16 Research School in the network.
Our purpose is to help schools and colleges make better use of evidence to improve teaching, learning and outcomes for all pupils and students, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.
We are not a research organisation. Our role is to act as an evidence intermediary – taking the best available research, interpreting it in context and helping education professionals translate it into meaningful practice.
From evidence to action
We know that awareness of research does not automatically lead to effective implementation. Teachers and leaders are busy, and even when they are familiar with evidence-based guidance, there is a risk that it becomes a surface-level exercise rather than something that genuinely influences practice.
That is where we come in.
We work with schools, colleges, trusts and education partners to:
- Interpret and exemplify evidence, making research accessible and relevant to practitioners.
- Translate evidence into practice through high-quality professional development.
- Support implementation, helping organisations move beyond knowing what works to understanding how to make change happen.
- Model evidence-informed practice within our own schools and across the wider education system.
- Build trusted relationships with teachers and leaders so that evidence can be applied thoughtfully within different contexts.
- Share expertise and create opportunities for professionals to learn from one another.
A post-16 Research School with a through-phase perspective
Our position within Oldham Sixth Form College gives us a distinctive perspective on evidence use in post-16 education. We work closely with colleagues across the 16 – 19 sector and contribute to the development of evidence-informed practice for older students.
At the same time, we see ourselves as a through-phase Research School. Through our partnerships with primary and secondary schools, Trust colleagues and other education organisations, we share learning and expertise across phases.
Our work reaches thousands of teachers and school leaders through training, professional networks, publications, blogs, case studies and wider evidence-mobilisation activity.
Our partnerships have included work focused on literacy, reading, professional development, implementation and equity, alongside collaboration with organisations such as the EEF and Right to Succeed.
We are proud that our schools and our colleagues are increasingly being recognised for their expertise in evidence-informed education, including opportunities to share practice nationally and internationally.
Follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/compa…) for updates on Guidance Reports, new tools and free twilight webinars across the year.
Meet the team
Many of you will know me as the Director of Oldham Sixth Form Associate Research School and through the legacy Oldham Research School run by Jo Pearson and Jess Mellor. Jess is now the Director of Great Heights Research School West Yorkshire and we look forward to continuing our close relationship with them. Our designation as a Research School will enable us to further strengthen our commitment to evidence-informed practice and collaborate with other schools and organisations. We look forward to the opportunities this designation will bring.
We have a new core team appointed from within Pinnacle Learning Trust and I am delighted to introduce them to you.
Our Deputy Director specialising in Primary is Ria Drabble from Broadfield Primary. Ria is also Computing Lead at her school and has recently led on the implementation of concrete, pictorial and abstract approaches to Computer Science using the evidence base from the EEF Improving Mathematics Guidance Report.
Our Deputy Director specialising in Secondary is Sahrish Mir from Hathershaw College. Sahrish is Curriculum Leader of Science and has also been seconded onto SLT. She has led on improving outcomes of SEND students in Science, Literacy in Science and Behaviour Management.
And finally.… Lorna Keating, our Research School Administrator, the person who makes things happen! Lorna will be your first point of contact for any queries via info.pinnacle@researchschool.org.uk
Louise