RLE
Structure

Over the three years of the RIS programme, participants complete the Research Leader in Education (RLE) Award, designed to ensure that participants are well equipped to deploy their knowledge and skills for the benefit of pupils and schools.

Year 1

Teaching focus: School Direct Trainee
(Fee or salaried route)

RLE focus: Sharing their PhD through an evidence-informed intervention, helping pupils with their understanding of university and high-level academic study

Year 2

Teaching focus: NQT
(First year NQT)

RLE focus: Increasing pupil impact by conducting an education research pilot project

Year 3*

Teaching focus: NQT
(Second year NQT)

RLE focus: Leading pupil impact by delivering CPD to colleagues to roll out pilot project to more pupils

*Year 3 is optional for both school and participant

Year 1: Uni Pathways

Uni Pathways is based on The Brilliant Club’s Scholars Programme model; data shows pupils completing these courses are significantly more likely to apply to, receive an offer from and progress to a highly-selective university.

In their first year of the programme, participants deliver Uni Pathways: a university-style intervention for high-potential Year 9 students to improve their understanding of university and high-level academic study.

Participants design and deliver seven tutorials based on their PhD thesis and pupils write a final assignment which is graded using university grades.

  • 87% of Uni Pathways pupils are Pupil Premium, have no parental history of higher education or live in a deprived area
  • 92% of graduating pupils agree they had a good level of knowledge in the subject area, compared to 56% prior to the course
  • 88% of graduating pupils agree that they understand why and how people study at university, compared to 66% prior to the course

The way Tom works is powerful. He is changing the culture of his school and working on high tariff projects – literacy, the power of the outdoors and pedagogical innovation.

Years 2 and 3: Education Research Project

In the second year of the programme, participants will create and pilot an intervention or improvement project with a group of pupils tailored to the context of your school.

In the optional third year of the programme, participants will roll out an evaluated version of their second year project to a wider number of pupils, deliver CPD and share their research evaluation findings with colleagues. They are supported to do this by a team of experts in the field.

Participants will align their research with departmental and school priorities in one of the following focus areas:

  • Improving pedagogy using evidence-informed practice
  • Widening university access
  • Curriculum development
  • Subject-specific exam intervention

RIS Alumni: Impact beyond Year 3

The majority of our participants stay teaching in non-selective state schools after completing the programme, many with leadership roles in their subject department or across the whole school, including leading extra-curricular activities or improvement initiatives. Our alumni network provides them with access to opportunities to continue achieving the RIS aims.

94% of those who complete the programme remain in teaching

45% of RIS alumni have a leadership role in their school

Example research topics

How does deliberate practice impact on ability to answer high level questions on immunology for year 11 Biology students?

Can near peer mentoring help to raise attainment in mathematics for top set year 10 pupils seating higher GCSE mathematics?

How effective is self-directed learning in improving computer coding skills for A-level students?

RIS Schools Overview
RIS Impact and Feedback