Research at the heart of education

Every school has objectives: whether to raise standards in literacy, narrow the gap between different socio-economic groups, or just to liaise more effectively with parents.

Sometimes, though, the challenge is how to find a solution to the problem or an effective route to achieve improvements. The day-to-day life of running a school can leave little time for reflection.

David Joshi from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) believes that by following tested methodologies, engaging with professional research, conducting in-school enquiries and evaluating evidence, essential decisions can be informed.

He explained: “A school will naturally set its aims. This might be linked to an issue identified by their Ofsted inspection or an aspiration to be better at an aspect of their work. What we are suggesting is that they connect with robust professional research to see how this relates to their own needs, while carrying out their own in-school enquiry to trial an investigation in their own environment. Any outcome or findings can guide a school towards solving their issues and meeting their aspirations.”