The Education Alliance Trust announces new Associate Research School Status

The East Riding’s largest secondary, South Hunsley, has been designated an Associate Research School by the Education Endowment Foundation. Wolds Associate Research School at South Hunsley will be one of 17 schools that have been newly designated in the latest round and join the existing 22 Research Schools across the country. South Hunsley will work closely with two existing successful Research Schools, Huntington School and North Yorkshire Coast Research Schools and will work with them to offer high quality research-informed professional development work for teachers across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The Education Endowment Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve educational outcomes and the life chances of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through the effective use of evidence in schools. The decision to grant Associate Research School status to South Hunsley was based on the school’s strong track record in working with disadvantaged students, delivering great outcomes and in supporting other schools.

Schools often do not have time or the resources to take on board and implement the best research on teaching and learning. The Wolds Associate Research School will work with schools across the East Riding and Hull to make that easier by developing practical tools and offering high-quality training to make schools across the region even more effective.

Jonny Uttley, CEO of the Education Alliance, the Multi-Academy Trust of which South Hunsley is part, said:

“This is a really significant moment for the region’s schools. The Education Endowment Foundation and existing Research Schools have already made a significant contribution to making teaching a truly evidence-based profession and we are delighted that The Wolds Associate Research School at South Hunsley will help to expand that work with our partners in Hull and The East Riding. As a trust, we recognise that developing teacher expertise and keeping the best teachers in the profession is the most important factor in the success of our young people over the next 10 years.”

“As a trust we already offer an excellent teacher training programme through Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training and the opportunity now to formalise our partnership with the outstanding Huntington and North Yorkshire Coast Research Schools is really exciting. The success of our school system going forward depends on schools working together in partnership for the benefit of all young people and stopping competing with each other. This is a big step forward.”

Jane Elsworth, Director of Huntington Research School said: “This is an exciting new phase for Huntington, and the national Research School network, reflecting the interest in accessing high quality, relevant research that enables schools to make evidence-informed decisions to support their staff and students to improve outcomes for all. Working with the South Hunsley Associate Research School will help us offer even more bespoke support to schools in the region.”