London and South-East
Research Schools
About unlocked
The Research Schools Network is a collaboration of 33 schools across England, supported by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
Research Schools work with schools, colleges, and early years settings in their regions to champion the use of evidence and improve teaching and learning, with a focus on socio-economically disadvantaged children and young people. Research Schools provide support to other schools by communicating research evidence, and supporting the translation of this into practice through training, exemplification and school-to-school support.The Network is organised into seven regions, each supported by an EEF Regional Delivery Lead.
the research schools network
Regional Delivery Lead-London and the South East
The Regional Delivery Lead for London and the South East is Sarah Mullins.
Sarah supports the delivery of the EEF regional strategy and helps to build understanding and engagement around our partnership approach in London and the South East. Before working at the EEF, Sarah was a primary school headteacher of a large three-form entry primary school. Prior to this she has worked in a variety of other senior leadership roles in schools and taught across the primary phase. Sarah is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Sarah supports the 5 Research Schools in London and the South East.
Research School Directors
David Windle
Research School Director, London South Research School. David is the deputy headteacher at Charles Dickens Primary School and the director of the London South Research School at Charles Dickens (LSRS). David has worked as a teacher in several primary schools across London. He has taught in all years from nursery to 6, as well as having worked in teacher training and adult education. His specialisms include teaching reading and writing in KS1&2, focusing on reading fluency and modelled writing. As the LSRS lead, he focuses on helping teachers engage with research evidence to best support their practice and broadening the number of education professionals advocating for evidence-informed practice in schools.
Kat Branco
Research School Director, North London Alliance Research School. Kat is the Director of the North London Alliance Research School. She has experience of leading partnerships in London and beyond on improving reading outcomes for disadvantaged KS2 and 3 students through the use of scaffolding strategies in the classroom.
Phil Stock
Research School Director, Greenshaw Research School. Phil is Director of Greenshaw Research and Deputy Headteacher at Greenshaw High School, a large secondary school in South London.
James Crane
Research School Co-Director, Durrington Research School. James Crane is Co-Director of Durrington Research School and an Assistant Headteacher at a large coastal comprehensive on the south coast. A PE teacher by background and author of Making Every PE Lesson Count, he has spent eight years working at the heart of the Research School, supporting schools to translate evidence into practice. His work focuses on curriculum, oracy and high-quality teaching, helping colleagues create classrooms where every student can thrive.
Ben Crockett
Research School Co-Director, Durrington Research School. Ben is Co-Director of Durrington Research School and Assistant Headteacher at Durrington High School. He has been part of the Research School Network for eight years, gaining extensive experience supporting school leaders and leaders from mid-tier organisations, including multi-academy trusts and education charities, to implement evidence-informed change at scale. Ben has a particular interest in the theory of adult behaviour change and how this can be aligned with school improvement priorities to achieve sustainable change in practice.
Fliss James
Research School Director, East London Research School. Fliss is Director of East London Research School and an Assistant Head Teacher based at Sheringham Nursery School and Children's Centre (host school for East London Research School & A Brighter Start Stronger Practice Hub). She is a highly experienced teacher and leader having both worked in education for over 20 years. She is passionate about high quality evidence informed early childhood education and care and delivers professional development nationally.
