Research School Network: Learning Behaviour Leads – An Ipswich Opportunity Area Approach Learning Behaviour Leads Programme

Ipswich Opportunity Area (IOA) had funded a wide range of projects during their designated time. Ipswich Associate Research School were proud to contribute to a number of these. Of particular note, was our Learning Behaviour Lead programme. Learning Behaviour Leads are Teaching Assistants in local schools seeking to understand and implement recommendations from the EEF suite of guidance reports. 

To support schools in drawing together learning behaviours, one of the approaches to fund experienced Teaching Assistants to become Learning Behaviour Leads (LBLs). Enabling support to those children and young people within a school that face the most significant barriers to learning, or struggle most to engage with learning in the classroom, to develop their learning behaviours so that they are better able to access education. 

Through the objectives set out:

• To train key staff in schools in the EEF guidance on the 5 pillars of the ​“Learning Behaviour” framework – Metacognition, SEND, Social and Emotional Learning, Behaviour and Parental Engagement.
•To connect LBLs to local community partners that provide complementary support to children and young people beyond the school gate through an inclusion grant.
• To grow practitioner confidence, enabling them to cascade learning to peers, contribute to the development of whole schools approaches to improving learning behaviours and participate in a network of LBLs and community partners.

Ipswich Associate Research School delivered training in the EEF Learning Behaviour framework, covering the suite of five guidance reports from the EEF which make up the Learning Behaviours guidance: 

· Improving Behaviour,

· Metacognition and self-regulated learning,

· Special educational needs in mainstream schools,

· Improving social and emotional learning

· Parental Engagement

Training has been enriched with contributions from Suffolk County Council, Psychology and Therapeutic Service, Keys to Inclusion approach (Psychology and Therapeutic Services Keys to Inclusion | Suffolk County Council) – and University College London. This has opened a pathway of evidence-based approaches assisting educators in making better informed decisions in schools around strategies and approaches. Alongside this offer is a collaborative partnership of ongoing setting support and networking opportunities through Suffolk TA Network and Unity Research School and Ipswich Associate Research School.

Teachers and LBL’s were surveyed during and at the end of the programme. July 2022, 83% of schools said they would continue the LBL role, with 89% of head teachers concluding that the LBL role had a positive impact across their school. Some of the strategies and approaches undertook can be viewed here: Learning Behaviour Leads – Eastern Opportunity Areas Hub (sharingbigideas.co.uk)

What Next.…..taking up opportunities in 22/23 academic year

As part of the extended IOA legacy programme the continuation of Learning Behaviour Leads will be in place in 22/23 academic year.

LBL’s have cascaded their learning within their settings and building networks within the sector, promoting this teamwork beyond the lifetime of the IOA. A further cohort of the LBL programme will be delivered through Ipswich Associate Research School as part of the IOA Extended Legacy programme. For further details please contact: Vanessa Bally – Research School Coordinator – Email: vanessa.​bally.​ipswich@​researchschool.​org.​uk