Research School Network: Research round up Key research you may have missed over the summer


Research round up

Key research you may have missed over the summer

by Shotton Hall Research School
on the

While teachers were trying to have a restful summer, the education research community continued to work hard. Here are three key reports you may have missed.



1. The attainment gap

Earlier this year, the EEF published their projections of what could happen to the attainment gap. This week the NFER have published headteacher’s predictions about the gap.

However, using data from a world before Covid-19, the Education Policy Institute published their latest rigorous analysis about the attainment gap.

Read this helpful graphical summary or the full report.

Key message: The disadvantage gap has stopped closing over the last five years and there are several indications that it has begun to widen.

2. The EEF guide to supporting school planning

This coming academic year, 2020 – 21, is unlike any before. School leaders are having to juggle logistical challenges that attend pupil and staff safety and well-being, alongside new routines and re-establishing practices that support high-quality teaching and learning.

To support school leaders, the EEF has published a guide specifically to aid planning. This coheres the best available evidence into one easily accessible resource, and has been developed in partnership with expert school leaders from across the country.

Read the full guide or this introduction to the guide from Alex Quigley.

Key message: The guide proposes a tiered approach to prioritising your efforts and honing existing plans, geared around: high-quality teaching for all, targeted academic support, and wider strategies to support pupils in the year ahead.

3. Best tutoring practice

As part of the DfE’s response to Covid-19, the National Tutoring Programme has been launched. They have released one of their first publications, which provides a an evidence-informed, practical guide to making the most of tutoring.

Read the one page summary or the full guide.

Key message: although tuition is a very promising approach, it is critical to get the detail right.

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