Research School launching in Oldham

Teamworks Teaching School Alliance

A ‘Research School’ is being launched to boost the quality of teaching in Oldham.

The launch will take place at RC Newman College, Broadway, Oldham on Monday 16 October from 4.30 - 6:30pm.

There will be a number of guest speakers, including Estelle Morris, former Education Secretary and Chair of the Oldham Education Skills Commission and Professor Daniel Muijs, Southampton Education School and newly announced future Head of Research at Ofsted.

It will be an opportunity for Oldham’s school leaders, teachers and the wider teaching community to come together to make the first step towards the creation a local network of schools.

Oldham is one of 12 'Opportunity Areas' across the country receiving the government funding to improve social mobility and ensure children get the best start in life, whatever their background.

Oldham’s Research School – which will be delivered by Teamworks Teaching School Alliance at The Greetland Academy, Halifax – will play a part in achieving this.

The school will become the focal point of evidence-based practice and build networks between schools in Oldham. They will develop a programme of support and events to get more teachers using research evidence in ways that make a difference in the classroom.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Educational and Early Years, said: “This will be an asset for Oldham and will build on the great work we’ve already started following the publication of the Oldham Education and Skills Commission.

“In Oldham we’re committed to delivering an education system which works for every child in our borough and the introduction of this Research School can help us achieve this.

“In order for us to make positive steps forward there has to be a strong network of schools communicating and working together to achieve the best possible outcome.”

The Research School will provide accessible summaries of educational research and blogs about education evidence to all schools in Oldham as well as evidence-based training and support that is open to all of the borough’s schools.

Dr Joanne Pearson, Head of Teamworks Teaching School Alliance, said: “Research has enormous potential to enhance all of our practice and we look forward to working together with schools in Oldham to connect practitioners and children to the best that evidence has to offer.”

Research Schools are hubs based within existing schools or academy chains. They aim to strengthen networks of schools and help them access education research and implement it in everyday classroom practice.

They are part-funded through the Government’s Opportunity Areas programme and part of a joint initiative between the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the Institute for Effective Education (IEE).