A BRADFORD academy chain will become a “research school” to help boost the quality of teaching in the district.

Dixons Academies is one of 11 schools or multi-academy trusts to have just won Government funding to develop a programme of support and events to try and make a difference in Bradford’s classrooms.

The chain will receive £200,000 over three years to become the focal point of “evidence-based practice” in Bradford, researching the best ways to improve teaching locally.

After being named a research school, Dixons will now work with other local schools and trusts and build networks between large numbers of schools.

The project is part-funded through the Government’s Opportunity Areas programme and is part of a joint initiative between the Education Endowment Foundation and the Institute for Effective Education.

Dixons will join a growing network of Research Schools across the country, and the schools in Stoke on Trent, Oldham and Scarborough were also among those named in the latest round.

The Dixons trust has eight academies in Bradford, many in disadvantaged areas of the city. They are opening a further academy in Chapeltown, Leeds, in September. Three of the academies have been judged outstanding by Ofsted.

Earlier this year Bradford was named as a “cold spot” for social mobility, and identified as a Government Opportunity Area. It means more money will be made available to provide extra support to help disadvantaged young people in Bradford achieve their potential.

Sir Nick Weller, CEO of Dixons Academies Trust said: “Dixons is delighted to become a research hub for Bradford. Improving social mobility is one of the biggest challenges facing our society and there is a lot of work to do in the Opportunity Areas.

“The more we and our partners root our practice in clear evidence of what works and what has the most impact, the more we will improve the life chances of young people in our city.”

The research school announcement was made by Education Secretary Justine Greening, who has also announced that Sir Kevan Collins, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, would become ‘Evidence Champion’ for the Opportunity Areas.

Ms Greening said: “Teachers are key to making sure that young people can reach their potential, regardless of where they start in life, so helping the profession be the best it can be will help tackle social mobility.

“By gathering evidence on what works in the classroom and sharing the best practice with teachers we can help to level up the opportunities for every pupil.

“These Research Schools will accelerate the work that is already underway in our Opportunity Areas and as our ‘Evidence Champion’, I know that Sir Kevan will look to share these learnings with teachers across the country.”

The first five research schools were announced in October, with a second six established in January. Work done already includes programmes to help schools make the most of teaching assistants and training to support literacy in the early years.

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