Phoenix Community Primary School is part of a project to whether a “research champion” working across 6 schools to improve the awareness and use of evidence in the classroom is a feasible model. This project is funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and organised and led by the Ashford Teaching Alliance (ATA).

This project is one of several EEF-funded projects that are seeking to improve teachers’ awareness, understanding and use of research. Many schools are still not using evidence to improve teaching or support decision-making. The EEF’s previous research in this area (the Anglican Schools Partnership project) has highlighted the challenges of applying research evidence to the classroom.

This project aims to tackle two of the most commonly cited barriers to research use in schools: insufficient time or capacity to engage with evidence. This project will test whether a school-based research champion can provide the support and structure necessary to enable research to make a difference.

At Phoenix, the project is being coordinated by Heidi Thompson. If you would like any further information about this project then you can contact her via the school office.