Research networks and partnerships

Collaborating by using or undertaking research with other teachers, schools and local authorities may be useful. For example, it may mean you can check findings from research undertaken in your school against that of others. Networks of teachers interested in research operate in some local authorities and regions. Your LA may have details. The Teacher Training Agency (now replaced by the Training and Development Agency for Schools) supported the School Based Research Consortia Initiative and provided a concept map of the key issues and related strategies for communicating research to teachers. Further good practice and evaluation networks were developed through the 14 to19 pathfinders which ran from January 2003 to August 2005.

The British Educational Research Association (BERA) and the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS) are two active national networks and both hold annual conferences where current educational research is presented.

Other networks include the Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN), the Evidence-Based Education Network and Teacher Research.

The Teacher Training Resource Bank (TTRB) which is funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools provides access to educational research with commentaries exploring debates and how research findings can be of use for teacher trainers, school-based mentors and trainees. Users can register on the site in order to become involved in the network as a contributor.

Other networks and partnerships include Multiverse which provides resources focusing on the educational achievement of pupils from diverse backgrounds and Behaviour4Learning which aims to develop trainee skills and insights and foster a classroom ethos of 'behaviour for learning'.

Last updated: 10 March 2009