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Explore every episode of the podcast Evidence into Action

Dive into the complete episode list for Evidence into Action. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–35 of 35

TitlePub. DateDuration
Retrieval practice07 Oct 202400:56:55

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Rachael Cattrall, EEF Content Specialist Alumna) and expert guests. They discuss the evolution of retrieval practice and insights into cognitive science, including how these principles and practices are being applied in classrooms. 

  • Dr Tom Perry, Associate Professor, University of Warwick (Start - 24:10)
  • Rachel Wilson, Year 6 teacher & Deputy Research Director of Norwich Research School (24:10 - 37:50)
  • Mark Miller, Director of Bradford Research School, Dixons Academies Trust (37:50 - End)

Further Resources: 

Implementation in schools27 Aug 202401:09:09

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould, EEF Senior Content and Engagement Manager, and expert guests. They discuss implementation in schools following the recent update of the EEF's implementation guidance report. They explore how we think about implementation and what it looks like in a practical sense.

  • Jonathan Sharples, Associate Professor, EEF (Start - 28:23)
  • Phil Stock, Director of Greenshaw Research School (28:23 - 49:27)
  • Laura Spence, Director of Gloucestershire Research School (49:27 - End)

Further Resources:

Vocabulary and Language24 Jan 202300:58:37

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Alex Reynolds, Literacy Content Specialist for the EEF, and expert guests to discuss vocabulary instruction, connections to reading and the curriculum.

  • Professor Jessie Ricketts, Director of Language and the reading acquisition research group for the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London (Start - 27:25)
  • Marcus Jones, Literacy Lead at Huntington Research School and English Teacher (27:25 - 50:32)
  • Host and co-host reflections (50:32 - End)

Further Resources:

English as an Additional Language29 Nov 202201:00:51

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and EEF Senior Content Manager Kirsten Mould are joined by expert guests in linguistics and education, alongside education leaders, to discuss how best to support pupils with English as an Additional Language.

Guests include:

  • Prof Victoria Murphy, Director of the Department of Education & Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Oxford (Start - 27:45)
  • Diana Sutton, The Bell Foundation (27:45 - 42:27)
  • Karl Rogerson, Principal of Billesley Primary School and Director of Billesley Research School (42:27 - End)
Evidence-informed Leadership02 Nov 202201:02:58

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and EEF Senior Content Manager Kirsten Mould are joined by expert guests to discuss evidence informed leadership. Guests include:

  • Nick Brook, Deputy General Secretary at NAHT and Chair of the School Improvement Commission (Start - 24:00)
  • Asima Iqbal, Vice Principal of Billesley Research School (24:00 - 40:50)
  • Alex Samways, Director of Research School and Teaching School Hub, Unity Schools Partnership (41:02 - End)
Supporting pupils during exams25 May 202200:50:59

In this new instalment, our expert panel discuss the evidence around how to prepare pupils for exams effectively. Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by our Learning Behaviours Content Specialist, Kirsten Mould, in discussion with:

  • Prof. David Putwain of Liverpool John Moores University (Start – 26.55);
  • Sadie Thompson, Deputy Director of HISP Research School and Modern Foreign Language teacher (26.55 – 40.23); and
  • Simon Cox, Director of Blackpool Research School and Maths teacher (40.23– End).
Teaching reading: The Reading Comprehension House01 Apr 202200:53:47

In this new instalment, our expert panel discuss how reading teaching can be supported using the reading comprehension house, which featured in our updated guidance report, Improving Literacy in Key Stage 2. Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by our Literacy Content Specialist, Sarah Green, in discussion with:

  • Kate Cain, Professor of Language and Literacy Development at Lancaster University (Start – 30:25);
  • Caroline Bilton, Deputy Headteacher at Cragside C of E Primary School (30:25 – 36:50); and
  • James Siddle, Primary School Headteacher and Director of Kyra Research School (36:50– End).

Further Resources:

Teaching reading: Developing fluency23 Feb 202200:54:57

In this latest instalment of the EEF's 'Evidence into Action' podcast, our expert panel discuss the evidence around the importance of fluency in teaching children to read. Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by our Literacy Content Specialist, Sarah Green, in discussion with:

  • Tim Rasinski, Professor of Literacy Education and author of “The Megabook of Fluency” (Start – 29:50);
  • Julie Phazey, Primary School Headteacher (29:50 – 39:52); and
  • Louise Quinn, Secondary School Deputy Headteacher and Senior Leader in Education (39:52 – End).

Further Resources:

Effective Professional Development30 Nov 202100:53:47

In this instalment, our expert panel discuss the key insights from our recent guidance report, Effective Professional Development. Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by our new maths Content Specialist, Kirstin Mulholland, in discussion with:

  • Harry Fletcher-Wood, author and researcher at Teacher Tapp (Start – 22:09);
  • Helen Bellinger, Director of Doncaster Research School (22:09 – 38:00); and
  • Tom Martell, Director of Shotton Hall Research School (38:00 – End).

Further Resources:

Unpicking the updated Teaching and Learning Toolkit07 Oct 202100:51:04

In this new instalment, our expert panel explore the newly updated Teaching and Learning Toolkit. Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by the EEF’s Head of Synthesis, Jon Kay, alongside:

  • Professor Steve Higgins, lead author of the Teaching and Learning Toolkit and Professor of Education at Durham University (Start – 28:09);
  • Sarah Green, Assistant Headteacher, National Oracy Leader, Evidence Lead in Education and EEF Literacy Content Specialist and Julie Kettlewell, Assistant Director of Huntington Research School, Memory and Metacognition specialist, Psychology teacher and EEF Content Specialist for Learning Behaviours (28:09 – End).

Further Resources:

Cognitive Science in the Classroom15 Sep 202100:51:34

Today, the EEF has released the latest episode of ‘Evidence into Action’, our podcast which considers specific areas of educational research and its implications for classroom practice. In this new instalment, our expert panel explore the findings from our recently published evidence review, ‘Cognitive Science in the Classroom’.

Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by assistant headteacher and literacy specialist Caroline Bilton, in discussion with:

  • Dr Thomas Perry, lead author on the EEF’s recent ‘Cognitive Science in the Classroom’ evidence review, educational researcher and lecturer at the University of Birmingham (Start – 28:09); and
  • Mark Miller, Headteacher at Bradford Research School and Dixons Trinity Academy. (28:09 – End)
Teacher Feedback to Improve Pupil Learning21 Jul 202100:57:19

In this latest episode, our expert panel examine the recommendations from our recently published Feedback guidance report and explore the implications for teaching practice.

Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by Joe Collin, EEF programmes manager, in discussion with:

  • Our team of Content Specialists: Assistant Headteacher and EEF Literacy Specialist Caroline Bilton, secondary school chemistry teacher and EEF Science Specialist Dr Niki Kaiser, and secondary school maths teacher and EEF Maths Specialist Simon Cox; (Start – 21:44);
  • Clare Christie, primary school maths teacher and Specialist Leader of Education; (21:44 – 39:41); and
  • Corinne Settle, Senior Education Lead at SSAT. (39:41 – End)

Further resources:

Using research evidence well in education25 Jun 202401:08:54

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirstin Mulholland, EEF Associate for School Engagement and Evidence Use, and expert guests. They discuss using research evidence well in the context of education, exploring the development of a culture and capacity for engaging with evidence in schools.

  • Prof Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development at Evidence Based Education, EEF Senior Associate (3:10 - 30:03)
  • Sean Harris, Lead for Research Improvement and Innovation at Tees Valley Education Trust (30:03 - 48:33) 
  • Claire Williams, Deputy Headteacher of Alexandra Park Primary School and Director of Alexandra Park Research School (48:33 - End)

Further Resources: 

Developing oral language07 Jul 202101:16:51

In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and, EEF programme manager, Sarah Tillotson, are joined by guests including programme developers, speech therapists and school practitioners, to discuss oral language interventions and how to successfully implement them schools.

  • Gillian West, Lecturer at the University of Oxford Department of Education; & Claudine Bowyer-Crane, Associate Research Director at the National Institute of Economic & Social Research (NIESR) explore the development of the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI), along with the research on the impact of the Covid pandemic on young children. (Start – 38:12);
  • Caroline Coyne, Joanne Burr & Rhian Owen - all part of Communicate SLT CIC - discuss the Leading Language and Loving It programme and approach. (38:13 – 55:34); and
  • Charlotte Hardwick, a teaching assistant at Settrington Primary School and Rebecca Austwick, headteacher at Bentley High St Primary in Doncaster, explore the process of developing pupils' oral language and implementing NELI successfully in schools. (55:35 – End)
Exploring the complexities of reading comprehension08 Jun 202100:52:14

In this episode, regular host Alex Quigley is joined by Caroline Bilton, assistant headteacher at Cragside Primary School and the EEF’s literacy specialist, to discuss teaching reading comprehension with our expert panel:

  • Professor Kate Nation, experimental psychologist and expert on language and literacy development in school children, explains the process of learning to comprehend text; (Start – 19:43);
  • Hydeh Fayez, Year 5 teacher and evidence lead in education, highlights the importance of exposing children to high-quality texts; (19:48 – 31:41); and
  • Stella Jones, Director of Teaching and Learning at Tower End Associate Research School, describes her school’s approach to improving pupils’ reading fluency. (31:48 – End)

Further resources:

Setting pupils up for success in maths23 Mar 202101:00:31

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley discusses best practice in maths teaching, from establishing strong foundations in the early years, to making purposeful use of pupils’ misconceptions:

  • Simon Cox, EEF maths specialist and current secondary school teacher, discusses how maths teaching has changed in recent years and the importance of assessment (Start – 15:07);
  • Craig Barton, author and educational podcaster, highlights the importance of misconceptions and how they can be effectively tackled; (15:08 – 41:47); and
  • Fliss James, Early Years teacher at East London Research School, Specialist Lead and Evidence Lead in Education, explains how to cultivate a deep, holistic understanding of early mathematical concepts. (41:48 – End)

Further resources:

Making the Difference for Disadvantaged Pupils30 Nov 202000:44:15

This episode focuses on how schools can ‘Make the Difference for Disadvantaged Pupils’. We explore the big picture of the challenges faced by disadvantaged pupils.  

Host, EEF National Content Manager, Alex Quigley, is joined by expert guests including:

  • Natalie Perrera, Executive Director and Head of Research at the Education Policy Institute
  • Professor Becky Francis, the CEO of the EEF
  • Sonia Thompson, the headteacher of St Matthew’s C of E Primary School, in Birmingham.

Resources and links: 

Supporting school attendance21 Mar 202400:58:11

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Freya Morrissey, EEF Content Specialist for Learning Behaviours, and expert guests. They discuss the complex topic of attendance and explore what the evidence tells us about the best ways to support it.

  • Owen Carter, Director at ImpactEd (Start - 19:48)
  • Jane Elsworth, Director of Huntington Research School (19:48 - 41:28)
  • Oliver Kerr, Headteacher of Old Moat Primary School, Manchester (41:28 - End)

Further Resources:

For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

Primary Science12 Jan 202401:03:38

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Grace Coker, EEF Content Specialist for maths, and expert guests. They discuss high-quality science teaching that fosters progress and children’s interest in science.

  • Sarah Earle, Reader in Education, Bath Spa University (Start - 28:14)
  • Ben Rogers, Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Paradigm Trust (28:14 - 47:21)
  • Mikaela Moore, Director of Primary Science, Delta Academy Trust (47:21 - End)

Further Resources:

For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

Defining disadvantage13 Nov 202301:12:18

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by Kirsten Mould and expert guests to discuss how best to support pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Guests include:

  • Dr Rebecca Montacute, Head of Research and Policy, Sutton Trust (Start - 30:32)
  • Marc Rowland, Pupil Premium Adviser, Unity School’s Partnership (30:32 - 53:26)
  • Gill Fearns, Director, Lancashire Research School (53:26 - End)

Further Resources:

For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

Personal Social and Emotional Development (PSED) in the early years06 Sep 202301:04:00

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Nicola Cherry, EEF Early Years Content Specialist and Early Years Delivery Manager for North Somerset Council, alongside expert guests. They discuss PSED and how we can support how early years practice can be enriched through evidence-use.

  • Claudia Coussins, Deputy Head of Early Years - Policy and Practice, Anna Freud Centre (Start - 20:45)
  • Ruth Coleman, Headteacher, Highfield Nursery School (20:45 - 38:44)
  • Louise Jackson, Independent Consultant, Author, Trainer and Teacher, Wye Early Years (38:44 - End)

For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and make sure you subscribe there.

Further Resources:

SEN in mainstream and adaptive teaching13 Jun 202301:08:42

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould, EEF Senior Content Specialist, and expert guests to discuss how best to support pupils with SEND, outlining the current challenges and opportunities in schools.

  • Gary Aubin, EEF Associate content specialist for SEND and Head of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at Future Academies (3:10 - 23:47)
  • Rebecca Gonyora, Director of Inclusion (MAT) Every Child, Every Day Academy Trust and Deputy Regional SEN Lead for East of England and East London (WSS) (23:47 - 43:07)
  • Jon Eaton, Director of Kingsbridge Research School and Research Lead at Kingsbridge Community College (43:07 - End

For quick and easy access to future episodes, search for 'Evidence into Action' in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts and subscribe.

Further reading

Metacognition02 May 202301:08:22

In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Hannah Heron, Learning Behaviours Content Specialist for the EEF, and expert guests, to discuss metacognition, with particular focus on putting study strategies into practice.

  • Professor John Dunlosky, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Science of Learning Center at Kent State University (Start - 34:16)
  • Jo Ashcroft, CEO of the CLIC Trust (34:16 - 49:34)
  • Freya Morrissey, Head of English at Teign School (49:34 - End)

Further Resources:

 

Breakfast clubs14 Jan 202500:44:22
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host Kirsten Mould and expert guests. They discuss breakfast club provision in schools, implementation challenges, impact, and advice for those looking to set up breakfast club provision in their setting.
  • Lindsey McDonald, Chief Executive, Magic Breakfast, @LindseyMac_ @Magic_Breakfast (Start – 19:50)
  • Toni Hayzen, Headteacher, Pembroke Park Primary School and Nursery, @PrimaryHT_Mum and
  • Ash McGann, Headteacher, Burton Green Primary School (19:59 - End)

Further Resources: 

Teaching: an art or science - part 311 Mar 202500:26:16
In the final episode of our three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’ host Harry Madgwick meets with Yamina Bibi to discuss how teachers can best exercise their professional judgment, with insights from a panel of experts.   Episode 1: Teaching: an art or science - part 1 Episode 2: Teaching: an art or science - part 2   Yamina Bibi (Project specialist at Chartered College of Teaching and freelance consultant)    Panel:
  • Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching)
  • Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional development consultant and instructional coach)
  • Dr Sally Riordan (Associate Professor of Social Policy Research, Northeastern University London) 

Further resources

Teaching: an art or science - part 204 Mar 202500:33:05
In this second episode of our three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’, host Harry Madgwick meets with Sarah Stock, Director of Newcastle Research School, to discuss teachers’ use of research evidence, with insights from a panel of experts:   Sarah Stock (Director of Newcastle Research School, Primary School Improvement Lead NEAT Academy Trust)   Panel:
  • Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching) @CatScutt
  • Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional development consultant and instructional coach) @scottinghatt
  • Dr Sally Riordan (Associate Professor of Social Policy Research, Northeastern University London)
You can catch up on part 1 here.   

Further resources

Teaching: an art or science - part 125 Feb 202500:30:53

In the first episode of a three-part series, ‘Teaching: an art or science?’, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Harry Madgwick (EEF senior content and engagement manager) and expert guests including:

  • Damilola Ajagbonna (Deputy Headteacher, Hitchin Boys’ School)
  • Dr Cat Scutt (Deputy Chief Executive, Education and Research, Chartered College of Teaching)
  • Sarah Cottinghatt (Professional development consultant and instructional coach)
  • Dr Sally Riordan (Senior Research Fellow, UCL)

In this episode, Harry meets with his mentor from when he was an ECT to discuss what ECTs must master first upon entering the profession, what good mentoring can involve, and how to stay present and motivated as a teacher, accompanied by insights from a panel of experts.

Why manipulatives matter in the maths classroom01 Apr 202500:41:44

In this episode, Host Alex Quigley and the EEF’s Maths Content & Engagement Specialist, Grace Coker, are exploring why manipulatives matter in maths.

They speak to Dr Sue Gifford to discuss the research evidence around the use of manipulatives and are then joined by practitioners from both primary and secondary schools to find out the benefits of using manipulatives in their settings.

  • Dr Sue Gifford (Early Childhood Maths Group)
  • Emma Barker (Assistant headteacher and maths lead, Amberley Primary School; Primary Mastery Specialist and Lead Specialist for Great North Maths Hub) @MissEBarker
  • Guy Carpenter (Director of Research and Innovation, Dudley Academies Trust) @gcarp567 www.linkedin.com/in/guy-carpenter-192560305

Further resources

 

Talking the talk: subject-specific talk across the curriculum23 Jun 202500:38:41
In this episode, host Alex Quigley and the EEF’s Literacy Specialist, Chloe Butlin, discuss the importance of subject-specific talk across the curriculum. They are joined by experts and practitioners from different phases and subject areas:  
  • Shareen Wilkinson (Education Adviser and Author, and Executive Director of Education, LEO Academy Trust) X: @ShareenAdvice BlueSky: @mrswilkinson.bsky.social LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shareen-wilkinson

  • Alex Fairlamb (Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning) at Kings Priory School, and WAT T&L Network Lead)  X: @lamb_heart_tea BlueSky: @lambhearttea.bsky.social  Website: alexfairlamb.com

  • Rachel Dixon (Curriculum Area Leader for Science, Oldham Sixth Form College) @pinnacleLTRS ,  https://www.linkedin.com/company/oldham-sixth-form-college/
  Further resources  
Deployment of teaching assistants14 Jul 202500:47:26

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould discuss the EEF’s newly updated guidance on deployment of teaching assistants.

They are joined by expert Gary Aubin who discusses the role of TAs in supporting children with SEND, followed by practitioners who reflect on effective TA deployment in their settings:

Gary Aubin (EEF SEND Associate, co-author of the Deployment of Teaching Assistants Guidance Report, and the lead of Whole Education’s work supporting MATs in relation to SEND)  @SENDMattersUK @sendmattersuk.bsky.social Gary Aubin LinkedIn   Sam Smithies (Assistant SENDCo, Hathershaw College Oldham) Instagram: @hathershawcollege @THELINK.HATHERSHAW   Claire Akroyd (Head of School, West Vale Academy, Halifax) Facebook: West Vale Academy Instagram: @westvaleacademy1 Further resources  

 

Sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy14 Oct 202500:50:22

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould talk to EEF’s Senior Policy Manager, Natalie Ohene, about the findings of a research project investigating how schools in England allocate spending on their Pupil Premium statements. They then discuss approaches to sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy with school leaders. 

Guest Speakers:

  • Natalie Ohene (EEF Senior Policy Manager), LinkedIn 
  • Lisa Wise (Headteacher of Wilbury Primary School and Executive Lead for School Improvement at Children First Academy Trust) @WilburyPrimary @ChildrenFirstAT
  • Stuart Mayle (Headteacher of Brambles Primary Academy) LinkedIn Tees Valley Education LinkedIn

Further resources

Metacognition: Moving forward with new evidence26 Feb 202600:34:32

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Corinne Settle (EEF’s Teaching and Learning Specialist) discuss the implementation of metacognition strategies. Experts and practitioners from various phases and subject areas join us to unpack these approaches, exploring what they look like in practice and the impact they have on learners.

Guest speakers:

Further resources:

Resources:

Transcript: Metacognition: Moving forward with new evidence | Transcript

 

Effective professional development in 16-19 settings03 Dec 202500:33:08

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Katie Luxton (EEF’s Senior Programme Manager), dive into what effective professional development looks like in 16–19 settings. They're joined by Evidence Partnership colleagues to unpack the latest evidence, share practical tips on putting this into practice, and highlight what’s making a real difference in their setting.

Guest Speakers:

  • Mandy Senior (Assistant Principal- Thomas Rotherham College, Trust improvement partner- Inspire Learning Trust)
  • Sue Smith (Learning and Development Manager, East Lancashire Learning Group)

Further resources

Sign up for EEF’s 16-19 newsletter here

 

 

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