Do you work in a primary school with children in Year 5 and 6 who have had a social worker? Sign up now to take part in a new project to find out how to improve their outcomes. 

We are looking for primary schools across the country to take part in an evaluation of Research Learning Communities (RLCs). RLCs aim to support subject leads, designated teachers and Year 5 and 6 teachers in primary schools to develop and implement research-informed teaching strategies. RLCs are a series of eight virtual workshops that will take place between October 2021 – May 2022. The programme will be delivered by education experts at the University of Durham, headed by Professor Chris Brown.

By signing up to take part, you will agree to be randomised to either participate in the programme, or continue with your usual practice. Both groups will play a crucial role in the independent evaluation, led by Ipsos MORI.  

Register your interest below by Friday 24 September, and we will send you detailed information about what is involved and how to sign up. View and download the presentation slides from the webinar with schools.

Background 

What Works for Children’s Social Care is finding this programme and its evaluation following analysis of the data from the previous Education Endowment Foundation-funded study of RLCs. This new analysis identified RLCs as showing “signs of potential” for children who are care experienced, finding up to two months of additional progress in reading and attainment scores for these children, compared to the control group. In this new trial, the intervention will be focused on children who have or have had a social worker.