Research School Network: School governors and trustees: EEF releases new guide on how to become evidence-informed and help your school improve Where to find jargon-free and trustworthy information about evidence.

This new guide by the EEF’s is aimed at school governors and trustees and is designed to offer a quick way into the evidence the EEF makes freely available to all schools. The EEF hopes it will help promote better-informed discussion in governing boards about how to positively influence school improvement.

School governors and trustees play a crucial role in improving school performance by providing support and challenge to the headteacher and their leadership team. It is essential, therefore, that you can access and use the best available evidence-based resources.

How research evidence can help your school

We believe evidence is crucial in unlocking the potential of all schools to do better. For example, here are three ways evidence can help address big worries for school leaders right now: 

• Money is tight. Evidence can help you spend smarter and capture the maximum benefit of your current investment. 

• Capacity is stretched. Evidence can help you learn from the experiences of other schools which have already tested different approaches. 

• Workload is a concern. Evidence can help you focus your school’s efforts on things which are likely to have the greatest impact.

The guide offers practical next steps and tips for further reading framed around three key questions for governors to ask:

• How well are pupils achieving in your school?

• How effectively is your school spending its money?
• How does your school support effective teaching and learning?

It also includes key questions to ask before schools think about buying in a programme plus 4 tips on making the most of your Pupil Premium.

Read the full guide here.