Ark Blacklands Primary Academy chosen by Government as Research School

Thursday 13th July 2017
Ark Blacklands Primary Academy

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy in Hastings is one of eleven new schools chosen to become a Research School. The school has been awarded £200,000 over three years to boost the quality of teaching in the region through better use of research.

The new Research Schools – part-funded through the Government’s Opportunity Areas programme and part of a joint initiative between the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the Institute for Effective Education (IEE) – were unveiled by the Education Secretary Justine Greening.

Ark Blacklands will become a focal point of evidence-based practice in Hastings and build networks between large numbers of schools. The school will develop a programme of support and events to get more teachers using research evidence in ways that make a difference in the classroom.

Justine Greening, Education Secretary, 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."

Lorraine Clarke, Executive Principal of Ark Blacklands, said: 

"It’s a great privilege that Ark Blacklands has been chosen to be one of the new schools to join the Research Schools network. We look forward to working with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the Institute for Effective Education (IEE). We are thrilled that the great work we do at our schools in Hastings has been recognised and that we are in a position to be able to continue to improve outcomes for our young people locally, as well as across the country."

Find out more about what it means to be a Research School at researchschool.org.uk