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.
In this episode, Alex Quigley and Grace Coker explore problem solving in maths and why it is a priority.
They are joined by Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons), Dr Helen Drury, (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons), and practitioners Tom Pole (Director of Tudor Grange Research School and Associate Principal at Tudor Grange Academy) and Mike Williams (Maths lead and Year 6 teacher at Alexandra Park primary school).
Together, they draw on insights from research and the classroom to unpack what effective problem solving looks like, and why giving all pupils opportunities to tackle rich mathematical tasks is important.
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Episode Transcript
Maths: prioritising problem solving | Evidence into Action
In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Helen Urbanowicz explore socioeconomic disadvantage in 16-19 education.
Joined by David Robinson (Education Policy Institute), Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College) and Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College), they unpack what the evidence says about widening attainment and participation gaps, including the growing post-16 participation gap and what leaders can do in different contexts.
The conversation focuses on practical actions that highlight high-quality, evidence-informed teaching and professional development, remove hidden costs and structural barriers, and prioritise belonging so learners can access and thrive.
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See here for the episode transcript - Exploring disadvantage in 16–19 settings | Evidence into Action
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.
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Transcript: Metacognition: Moving forward with new evidence | Transcript
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.
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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.
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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
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
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.
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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 1Episode 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)
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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
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:
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.
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)
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In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Rachael Cattrall (EEF content specialist alumna) and expert guests including:
They discuss the evolution of retrieval practice and insights into cognitive science, including how these principles and practices are being applied in classrooms.
Resources to support retrieval practice
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould (EEF Senior Content and Engagement Manager) and expert guests including:
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.
Resources to support implementation in schools
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirstin Mulholland (EEF Associate for School Engagement and Evidence Use) and expert guests including:
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.
Resources to support using research evidence
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Freya Morrissey (EEF Content Specialist for Learning Behaviours) and expert guests including:
They discuss the complex topic of attendance and explore what the evidence tells us about the best ways to support it.
Resources to support school attendance:
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.
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Grace Cocker (EEF Content Specialist for maths) and expert guests including:
They discuss high-quality science teaching that fosters progress and children’s interest in science.
Resources to support pupils to improve primary science:
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.
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by Kirsten Mould and expert guests including:
They discuss how to support for pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
For more on educational disadvantage and resources to support disadvantaged pupils:
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.
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by expert guests including:
Our hosts and expert panel discuss PSED and how we can support how early years practice can be enriched through evidence-use.
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.
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirsten Mould (our Senior Content Specialist) and expert guests including:
They discuss how best to support pupils with SEND, outlining the current challenges and opportunities in schools.
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 reading
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Hannah Heron (EEF Content Specialist for Learning Behaviours) and expert guests including:
They discuss metacognition with particular focus on putting study strategies into practice.
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by co-host, Kirstin Mulholland, EEF associate for content and engagement, with particular interest in maths.Expert guests take part in discussions including:
They discuss high quality talk and how it can be applied and developed in classrooms.
In this instalment, host Alex Quigley is joined by expert guests including:
In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and, EEF Senior Content Manager, Kirsten Mould, are joined by guests including experts in linguistics and education, along with education leaders, giving their perspective, as they discuss how best to support pupils with English as an Additional Language.
Guests include:
In this instalment, hosts Alex Quigley and, EEF Senior Content Manager, Kirsten Mould, are joined by guests including experts from the school system, along with teachers and leaders, giving their perspective from the front line, as they discuss evidence informed leadership.
Guests include:
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:
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:
This episode is the counterpart to a previous episode on teaching reading fluency, which featured Professor Tim Rasinski, Julie Phazey and Louise Quinn.
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:
The EEF has released a brand new episode of ‘Evidence into Action’, our podcast which explores important areas of educational research, and how it is being put into practice in schools. In this new 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).
The EEF has released a brand new 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 newly updated Teaching and Learning Toolkit.
Regular host Alex Quigley is joined by the EEF’s Head of Synthesis, Jon Kay, alongside:
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:
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:
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.
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:
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:
In this episode, host Alex Quigley investigates the evidence on supporting pupils to form effective learning behaviours - both in-school and at home - with our panel of experts:
There is also a range of support resources for schools given the challenges of Covid-19 here.
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, talks first to Natalie Perrera, Executive Director and Head of Research at the Education Policy Institute. He then speaks to Professor Becky Francis, the CEO of the EEF, before hearing from Sonia Thompson, the headteacher of St Matthew’s C of E Primary School, in Birmingham.