Evidence into Action

By Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)

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, alongsi... more

· Education

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FAQs about Evidence into Action:

How many episodes does Evidence into Action have?

The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.

Evidence into Action episodes:

October 14, 2025Sustaining 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
...more
51min
July 14, 2025Deployment 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
...more
48min
June 23, 2025Talking 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
...more
39min
April 01, 2025Why 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
...more
42min
March 11, 2025Teaching: an art or science - part 3
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
Metacognition Guidance Report
Engaging with Evidence report
...more
27min
March 04, 2025Teaching: an art or science - part 2
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
EEF, Teacher Feedback to Improve Pupil Learning Guidance Report (October 2021)
EEF Blog, The ShREC approach
EEF, Vocabulary in Action tool (based on Beck model)
EEF, Using Research Evidence: A Concise Guide (January 2024)
Research Schools Network Clips from the Classroom
...more
34min
February 25, 2025Teaching: an art or science - part 1
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.
...more
31min
January 14, 2025Breakfast clubs
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:
EEF Breakfast Interventions: Rapid Evidence Assessment (August 2024)
TES, How to Build an Effective Breakfast Club: What the Research Says (August 2024)
To find out more about the Magic Breakfast Early Adopters Scheme: Early Adopters Scheme - Magic Breakfast
School Food Matters | School Food Matters
...more
45min
October 07, 2024Retrieval practice
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:
Cognitive Science Approaches in the Classroom: a Review of the Evidence (summary)
EEF Podcast: Cognitive Science in the Classroom
The Processes of Memory: A brief explainer
Cognitive Load Theory: A brief explainer
...more
57min
August 27, 2024Implementation in schools
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:
EEF, A School’s Guide to Implementation guidance report (Updated April 2024)
Engage and Unite: moving beyond buy-in – blog from Greenshaw Research School
...more
1h 10min

FAQs about Evidence into Action:

How many episodes does Evidence into Action have?

The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.

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