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EEF’s CEO visits Oldham Sixth Form College
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Becky Francis OBE, CEO of the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), was joined by Stuart Mathers, Head of Evidence Mobilisation at the EEF, for a visit hosted by the Research School, at Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC). The visit brought together the EEF, Pinnacle Learning Research School and college leaders, staff and students to explore how evidence can be used to support young people as they move from school into post-16 educational environments, and progress through different levels of study. Ms Francis and Mr Mathers were welcomed by Nick Lowry, CEO of The Pinnacle Learning Trust (PLT), Suzannah Reeves, Principal of OSFC, and Louise Astbury, Director of the Research School.
The EEF representatives visited a range of lessons and subjects across the college, providing an insight into the different experiences of students and varying stages of learning within the college. Lessons included GCSE and A Level Mathematics, Digital T Level, Health and Social Care, GCSE Science and Chemistry. The programme for the day deliberately included students studying across Level 2 and Level 3 pathways, from those making the transition from school into GCSE study at college through to students undertaking advanced A Level and Vocational courses.
The visit provided an opportunity to consider some of the different challenges faced by students at post-16, including the transition from secondary school, the demands of advanced study and the differing needs of learners following academic and technical routes. Staff and students from the college joined their guests in conversation, sharing their personal experiences of progression within Level 2 Mathematics, English and Science. This allowed the EEF to hear directly about the challenges and opportunities associated with progressing into further study in supported environments.
This discussion informed a wider conversation about evidence supporting post-16 education and how the Research School can help translate this evidence into informed practice across different educational settings. The visit also highlighted work across all phases locally, professional development and best practice. It was a meeting thet reflected OSFC, PLT and the Research School’s commitment to ensuring that evidence has a meaningful role and impact in improving the outcomes for young people within education, including the important transition from school into further education, helping students progress forwards into their next steps.
It was a real privilege to welcome Becky and Stuart to OSFC and to share with them some of the work we are doing to strengthen evidence-informed practice in post-16 education. We were particularly pleased to showcase the breadth of learning taking place across the college and to hear directly from students and staff about their experiences of progressing through different pathways
Post-16 education is a complex landscape, with young people arriving with very different experiences, starting points and aspirations. There is a real opportunity to use evidence more effectively to understand what supports successful transition, learning and progression at this stage. As a Sixth Form College in the Research Schools Network, we are committed to working with practitioners across the sector to take what we know from research and translate it into meaningful professional development and improvements in practice.
It was a pleasure to have the hugely valuable opportunity to host Becky and discuss our ambitions with her. It reinforced the importance of developing the evidence base for post-16 education, ensuring that research is accessible and relevant to working with young people every day
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