Somerset Research School

16/07/2026

How can we improve outcomes for pupils facing the greatest barriers to learning?

Join colleagues from across Somerset and the wider South West for a practical, evidence-informed day focused on inclusive classrooms and effective implementation.

Why attend?
• Evidence-informed approaches grounded in EEF guidance
• A focus on adaptive teaching, SEND and inclusive classrooms
• Practical strategies ready to implement immediately

Hear from:
• Sonia Thompson (St Matthew’s Research School, Oracy Commission)
• Malcolm Reeve (National SEND Leader)

Workshops include:
Adaptive Teaching | Inclusive Classrooms | Pupil Premium | Inclusive Literacy | 16–19 Inclusion | Whole School SEND

Event details
📍 Exeter Rougemont Hotel
📅 Friday 20 November 2026
🕘 9:00am – 3:00pm
💷 £100 per delegate (£50 additional)

👉 Book here: https://bit.ly/4eZSHWe

16/07/2026

Why attend Breaking Down Barriers?

Hear from Sonia Thompson and Malcom Reeve, plus explore practical workshops on inclusion, adaptive teaching, literacy, SEND and Pupil Premium.

📅 20 Nov 2026 | 📍 Exeter

Book early: bit.ly/4eZSHWe or scan QR Code

🔴 EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Breaking Down Barriers: Creating the Inclusive Classroom

📅 Friday 20 November 2026
📍 Rougemont Hotel, Exeter

Creating inclusive classrooms where every pupil can thrive is a priority for schools across the South West.

Join Cornwall Research School and our Research School partners for a day of evidence-informed professional learning exploring inclusion, adaptive teaching, belonging and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners.

Whether you're a senior leader, SENDCo, Inclusion Lead, Pupil Premium Lead or classroom teacher, you'll leave with practical ideas and strategies to support inclusive practice in your setting.

🎟️ £100 per delegate
🎟️ £50 for each additional delegate from the same organisation
☕ Includes refreshments and lunch

Book your place: https://buff.ly/NfSbHMA

10/07/2026

☀️ It has been a great day today to meet with colleagues from the South West and South Coast Research Schools. A fantastic opportunity to share great practice from around the Research Schools Network and Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). It has been lovely to provide a sunny Somerset welcome to Research School Directors, Evidence Leads in Education and Evidence Advocates from Devon Research School, Hampshire Research School, Cornwall Research School (CRS) and Gloucestershire Research School.

Thank you all for travelling to The Blue School, Wells on such a hot day.

07/07/2026

New: The EEF Guide to Inclusive Teaching

Contains advice about supporting every child to participate and succeed in school - especially those with additional needs.

Explore the guide and accompanying scenario-based training resources: https://ow.ly/XZYi50ZkvPW

17/06/2026

We are delighted to be part of the Breaking Down Barriers Conference in November.

Join colleagues from across the South West & South Coast for a practical, evidence-informed day focused on creating more inclusive classrooms.

Hear from keynote speakers:

⭐ Sonia Thompson – Director of St Matthew's Research School in Birmingham and member of The Oracy Commission

⭐ Malcolm Reeve – National SEND Leader
Plus explore workshops covering:

📚 Adaptive Teaching
🏫 Inclusive Classroom Practice
📈 Pupil Premium Leadership
📖 Inclusive Literacy
🎓 Inclusion in 16–19 Settings
🤝 Whole School SEND

You'll leave with practical strategies, EEF-aligned approaches, and ideas you can implement immediately in your own setting.

📍 Exeter
📅 Friday 20 November 2026
🔗 Book your place here: https://bit.ly/4eZSHWe

15/06/2026

Have you watched our latest ?
Focusing on 5-a-day cognitive & metacognitive approaches, this clip shows how small, consistent strategies can support pupils to think more effectively and become independent learners

Take a look 👇

Using the seven step model to embed metacognitive strategies.

09/06/2026

📢 New Webinar Recording: Deployment of Teaching Assistants
We’re pleased to share the recording of our latest Somerset Research School webinar, exploring how to deploy teaching assistants effectively to improve pupil outcomes.

In this session, Sally Franklin, Clare Anderson, and Tom Colquhoun discuss:
✅ What the evidence tells us about effective TA deployment
✅ Practical strategies for schools
✅ Best bets

This is essential viewing for school leaders and colleagues working to maximise the impact of Teaching Assistants — particularly in supporting disadvantaged pupils.

🎥 Watch the webinar here:
https://researchschool.org.uk/somerset/events/webinar-recordings

Further reading: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/teaching-assistants

Education Endowment Foundation Research Schools Network

Guidance on deploying TAs to boost attainment for pupils with evidence-based strategies and best practice.

03/06/2026

⏰ Final places available

Join us this afternoon for a focused, practical webinar on deploying teaching assistants effectively — exploring the EEF's updated Deployment of Teaching Assistants Guidance.

Designed to support strategic leadership of teaching assistants, the session will explore how evidence can support:

• clearer TA roles
• stronger classroom impact
• more consistent support for pupils

🗓 Wednesday 3 June | 15:45–16:45
✅ Free to attend

01/06/2026

Looking for practical, evidence-informed approaches to TA deployment?

This FREE twilight webinar brings the EEF’s updated guidance to life — led by experts working directly with schools and is designed to support the strategic leadership of teaching assistants.

The session will explore how evidence can support:
• clearer TA roles
• stronger classroom impact
• more consistent support for pupils

🗓 Wednesday 3 June | 15:45 - 16.45 (⏰NEW TIME!)

✅ Free to attend