Excellence in Research-Informed Practice

Celebrating Excellence in Research-Informed Practice: A Landmark Achievement for Prospere Learning Trust

We are thrilled to announce that Prospere Learning Trust has recently received accreditation for the Chartered College of Teaching's new and prestigious Research Mark Award. We were one of a handful of multi-academy trusts nationally to have been successfully selected for their pilot and subsequent accreditation. This remarkable achievement is not only a recognition of our Trust’s commitment to evidence-informed practice, but also an opportunity to celebrate the research-informed culture that exists across all our mainstream and special schools.

The Research Mark Award is significant validation of our collective work to embed research into our daily practice. It highlights our schools’ unwavering dedication to continually improve teaching and learning through thoughtful use of relevant evidence and research. As a Trust, we are underpinned by our core values of expertise, collaboration, and reflection, ensuring that every decision we make is rooted in evidence and professional judgement.

A Testament to Research-Informed Practice
The recent verification visit was an opportunity to showcase the strong foundations of research-informed practice that already exist across our schools. One of the key strengths identified was the autonomy for individual schools and teachers, allowing them to combine research evidence with professional judgment and understanding of different school contexts. This flexibility supports a culture where staff feel empowered to engage with and apply evidence in ways that best meet the needs of their pupils.

Our values of expertise and reflection were highlighted throughout the process, with clear evidence of how these values are embedded in our daily practice. We place great emphasis on the use of evidence-informed resources, such as those provided by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), Whole Education and the Great Teaching Toolkit as well as our strong partnerships with other organisations such as Manchester Communication Research School, Bright Futures and the Northwest Maths Hub. These collaborations play a key role in informing practice and ensuring that our approach to teaching and learning is grounded in the latest research.

A Strong Culture of Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach to continuous improvement. The Research Mark verification visit highlighted the excellent culture of collaboration within the Trust, noting that staff frequently work together across schools to share learning, practice, and research. This culture enables a seamless integration of evidence into practice, with teachers and leaders across the Trust consistently engaging in research to improve their own practice and the outcomes for their pupils.

Our Trust Networks provide valuable opportunities for high-quality professional development, and staff are encouraged to take part in research projects and peer support, allowing them to engage with a wide range of evidence-based practices.

Research-Driven Impact
One of the most notable aspects of the Trust’s research approach is our focus on evidence-informed assessment tools to measure the impact of teaching and learning and targeted interventions. The use of tools from trusted providers, such as GL Assessment and the EEF’s evidence base on implementation allows us to baseline, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies we put in place. This reflective approach to practice enables us to refine our teaching methods and leadership approaches continuously, ensuring the best outcomes for all our pupils and staff.

Our exemplary literacy and language provision was identified as a shining example of this commitment, which demonstrates how evidence-based practices have been fully adopted and integrated across our schools to improve pupil access to the curriculum and to improve the life chances and future success of pupils. 

Engaged and Empowered Staff
The verification team recognised how our success in embedding research is also testament to the high level of engagement and dedication from staff working across the Trust. A significant proportion of our staff are currently undertaking master’s degrees or completing National Professional Qualifications, demonstrating the culture of research engagement and collective commitment to expertise that exists across our schools. The ongoing professional development of our staff is a key factor in fostering a genuine culture of improvement, learning and development. Teachers and leaders are not only encouraged to reflect upon their practice but are also supported in becoming confident, research-informed practitioners.

Thank You
The Research Mark Award is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of all our staff members. It is also a celebration of the culture of improvement and collaboration that exists within Prospere Learning Trust. From research-informed CPD to sharing learning and outcomes, our staff are consistently engaged in research to enhance their practice. We are proud of the work that has led to this national recognition and will continue to build on this success, further developing our expertise, collaboration, and reflection to ensure that we remain at the forefront of educational excellence and continue to provide an exceptional education for all.

Sarah Green, Trust Director of Literacy
Special thanks go to Rebecca Bennett (MEA), Ciara Kelly and Alice Girault (CHS), Elizabeth Marron (MEA Central) and Kate Corbishley (Grange) for taking part in the verification visit led by Dr Cat Scutt from the Chartered College of Teaching.