Essex Research School update - 5 November 2025
Latest updates from the Essex Research School - including Lead PD Like a Pro, Clips from the Classroom and details of an Early Years webinar on Parent Partnerships for Early Literacy Success in partnership with the REACHout Stronger Practice Hub.
Lead PD Like a Pro
Have you ever rolled out a seemingly brilliant professional development (PD) initiative only to find it fading fast, despite everyone’s best intentions? In “Lead PD Like a Pro! Turning Professional Development into Real Classroom Change”, Sarah-Louise Johnston (Director of Essex Research School) cuts through that all-too-common cycle.
Drawing on the latest evidence and practical know-how, Sarah-Louise argues that success lies not just in what we teach teachers, but how we lead, embed, and sustain change over time.
Dive into the full article here: Lead PD Like a Pro!
Clips from the Classroom - a new approach to assessing maths at the end of Key Stage 1
Last term we launched a powerful new video in our Clips from the Classroom collection: Beyond Right and Wrong. Rather than simply celebrating correct answers, this clip brings us behind the scenes of mathematical thinking in action showing how students wrestle with ambiguity, reason through choices, and deepen their understanding through discussion, not just “right vs wrong”.
Designed with built-in pause points and reflective prompts, the video invites us to slow down, observe, and think together about what high-quality mathematical discourse looks like in real classrooms. It’s an excellent resource for stimulating meaningful staff conversations, exploring how we might shift our own practice, and grounding professional learning in authentic classroom moments.
Curious to see it in practice? Watch the clip and reflect here: Beyond Right and Wrong - Clips from the Classroom
Don’t want to miss the next part in the series?
Sign up for Essex Research School’s half-termly newsletter here. This will let you know of any new blog updates as well as upcoming events and resources published by the EEF and wider Research School Network.
Early Years webinar - Parent Partnerships for Early Literacy Success!
Calling all Early Years Leads, Childminders & Teaching Professionals! Want to boost early literacy right from the start? Join us for an engaging, practical, and insight-packed free webinar in partnership with REACHout Stronger Practice Hub.
📅 Monday 24 November 2025, 4:00-5:00pm
💡 What’s on the agenda?
✅ Smooth transitions & induction – how to set families up for success
📚 Early literacy boosters – simple, effective strategies to support early literacy skills
👨👩👧 Engaging parents – educating parents through workshops & events
📲 Tapestry & digital tools – tech to strengthen home-school links
Learn from expert Amelia Hudson (EYFS Teacher) from Essex Research School and Lyons Hall Primary School.
Sign up now and let's build stronger parent partnerships together!
For more updates:
- Visit the Essex Research School website
- Sign up to receive the Essex Research School newsletter