In recent years, we’ve seen a remarkable surge in the interest and investment in educational research, particularly in the areas of teacher development, recruitment and retention. This increased focus is a testament to the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of education.

Organisations like the Nuffield Foundation and the Education Endowment Foundation have been at the forefront, channelling resources into research that seeks to understand and enhance the teacher journey within the education system.

It’s important to acknowledge this is not a new frontier; many researchers have dedicated years to exploring these themes, contributing valuable insights and groundwork upon which we can build.

This collective body of work provides a solid foundation for our current professional development approaches.

Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel but to build on this existing knowledge, to refine and expand our understanding of teacher development.

What works for teacher development

A notable milestone in this ongoing effort is the £2.4 million grant awarded by the Nuffield Foundation to the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT). This funding is earmarked for research into the effectiveness of various teacher development strategies and their impact on pupil outcomes.

This initiative underscores a fundamental belief: to support and uplift the teaching profession, we must first understand the efficacy of the practices we advocate.

This unique initiative will use a large set of anonymised data from the NIoT’s founding trusts to examine the effects of various teacher training methods, classroom techniques and CPD on pupil achievement, marking the first attempt at such a scale in the UK.

The project will be guided by an expert advisory group, ensuring the research remains relevant to teachers’ real-world needs. It will unfold in three stages: initially assessing the impact of teachers on pupil performance using data, then identifying key factors that influence this impact and, finally, collaborating with schools to refine and test teacher development practices.

However, the NIoT is just one of many contributors to this dynamic field. Across the nation, numerous teacher training providers are expanding their research capabilities, offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to age-old challenges.

The people behind the data

These institutions are not just centres of learning but hubs of research and innovation, contributing valuable knowledge to the collective endeavour of enhancing teacher effectiveness and pupil achievement.

This movement is about more than just numbers and data; it’s about people. It’s about understanding the challenges and triumphs teachers face daily and identifying the tools and strategies that truly make a difference in their professional journey.

By pinpointing what works, we can facilitate the spread of innovative, teacher-led solutions throughout the educational system, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared success.

We hope this research will support new entrants to the profession and established teachers alike, enhance the teaching experience and elevate the learning outcomes for pupils across the board.

As we begin this research, our guiding principle is clear: to empower teachers to thrive and develop in their roles. By equipping educators with the knowledge and tools proven to be effective, we can create an environment where both teachers and pupils flourish.

Exciting times

This is an exciting time for teachers and for education as a whole. The increased interest and investment in educational research signal a collective commitment to understanding and supporting the teaching profession.

As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to build on the valuable work of researchers past and present, leveraging technology and innovation to create a robust, evidence-based framework for teacher development.

Together, we can ensure that the teaching profession is not only recognised for its invaluable contribution to society but also equipped with the tools and knowledge to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Dr Calum Davey is executive director of research at the National Institute of Teaching

For the latest education news and analysis delivered directly to your inbox every weekday morning, sign up to the Tes Daily newsletter