Effective professional development in 16-19 settings
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
EEF’s 16-19 hub with the latest news and links to key resources, and for further insights into our Evidence Partnership colleges.
EEF’s Effective professional development guidance for 16-19 settings
EEF’s KEEP framework (knowledge, engagement, execution, practice)
EEF’s schools guide to implementation – very relevant also to 16-19 settings.
Sign up for EEF’s 16-19 newsletter here.
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Sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy
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
Verian project report, Understanding Pupil Premium spending in schools
The EEF Guide to the Pupil Premium
The EEF Guide to the Early Years Pupil Premium
For more support, get in touch with your local Research School
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Deployment of teaching assistants
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
EEF, Deployment of Teaching Assistants Guidance Report (Updated March 2025)
EEF Teaching & Learning Toolkit strand on Teaching Assistant Interventions
DfE, Use of teaching assistants in schools Research report (September 2024)
RSN Blog by Claire Akroyd, Intentional deployment of Teaching Assistants; an integral component of inclusion
RSN Blog by Sam Smithies, Supporting Independence: A Learning Support Assistant’s Reflection and Growth
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Talking the talk: subject-specific talk across the curriculum
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
EEF, Improving Literacy in Key Stage 2 Guidance Report (November 2021)
EEF, Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools Guidance Report (July 2019)
EEF blog, What does the evidence base tell us about effective oral language practice?
EEF blog, From talk to text: integrating oral language within writing instruction
EEF blog, Building strong readers: why oral language is the foundation of the reading house
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Why manipulatives matter in the maths classroom
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
EEF, Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1 Guidance Report (October 2021)
EEF, Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 Guidance Report (November 2022)
EEF blog, Myth-busting mathematical manipulatives
EEF blog, Five ways manipulatives can be used to develop mathematical understanding
EEF guest blog by Emma Barker, Manipulatives: a window into pupils' mathematical thinking
Evidence into Action is a podcast from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
This podcast welcomes experts in the field of education – fantastic researchers with important things to say, alongside a wealth of brilliant teachers and school leaders. Our mission is straightforward: to tackle the most important educational topics and offer you plenty of evidence-based ideas to reflect on and, hopefully, be able to put into action.
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