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A report from the Education Select Committee, published in May 2017, criticised assessment in primary schools, saying its close link to school accountability is creating a "high-stakes" system that is harming teaching and learning. The group of cross-party MPs confirmed what many primary school teachers have been saying for a long time: that the ne...

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A guide to evidence based practice: what it is, key reads and why it matters

I recently joined and met with School and University Research Enquiry (SURE), a research group which has connected several schools in Glasgow with the University of Strathclyde to exchange knowledge and conduct new research. The aim is to promote a more evidence-informed approach to educational decision-making and practice. With this in mind, I tho...

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A beginner's guide to Dr Ben Goldacre

Where does he work? Goldacre is currently a senior clinical research fellow at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in the Department of Primary Care in the University of Oxford. He is also a bestselling author, broadcaster, campaigner and medical doctor who specialises in unpicking the misuse of science and statistics by journalists, politicians...

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A beginner's guide to Professor John Jerrim

Where does he work? John Jerrim is a Professor of Education and Social Statistics at the University College London Institute of Education. He is a significant contributor to the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).He completed his PhD in social statistics at the University of Southampton in 2011 and was honoured as being...

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A beginner's guide to Professor Rose Luckin

Who is she? Often described as the Dr Who of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, learning scientist Professor Rose Luckin believes that the teaching provided by schools and universities will fundamentally change over the next two decades as a result of AI, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Quick facts:   Born: Nation...

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