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North West 16-18 Evidence Network

The Evidence Partnership is a new collaborative initiative to help colleges across England access, understand, and apply research evidence to their teaching and learning.

The partnership brings together further education and sixth form colleges to champion the use of evidence to improve progress and outcomes – with a focus on socio-economically disadvantaged learners.

What is the Evidence Partnership?

The partnership is made up of six colleges, each serving its local community while offering a broad curriculum to learners. Together, they bring valuable insights from a range of local contexts and are sharing how they use the evidence. This diversity forms a strong foundation for collaboration and will enable us to explore the priorities of the 16–19 sector.

Our Plan

We are developing the North West 16–19 Evidence Network – a community of educators committed to collaboration in the sector and improving outcomes through evidence-informed practice, particularly for our disadvantaged learners. We are sharing the best practices in professional development by bringing the KEEP model and framework to life. We are exemplifying elements of evidence within the EEF toolkit.

The Evidence Partnership Colleges will work to:

• To understand and apply research evidence to teaching and learning in the 16-19 sector

• Communicate and disseminate evidence-informed resources and approaches.

• Bridge the gap between research and practice through credible and actionable exemplification in 16-19 settings.

• Develop strong regional networks with 16-19 settings and other partners to increase collaboration in the sector

• Help build a shared understanding of the sector’s priorities to shape the future of EEF’s work.

Meet the Team

Sue Smith is the Evidence Partnership Director at the East Lancashire Learning Group. She is also the Director of Teaching, Learning and Development for East Lancashire Learning Group responsible for Teaching, Learning and Assessment, E-Learning and Professional Development.

Jack Keily is the Teaching and Learning Innovator for Research at the college. He leads our Inspiring Inquiry and Action Research programme. He will be working supporting our 12 Teaching and Learning Innovators to disseminate evidence based practices (applicable for 16-19) to our teachers and wider regional community.

An Introduction to the KEEP Model 

Unlock a powerful, evidence‑based model designed to transform professional development and strengthen practice:

K: Knowledge – Learn how to deliver new information in clear, manageable, high‑impact ways that supports understanding.

E: Engagement – Explore strategies to motivate and engage practitioners to meaningfully act on new learning.

E: Execution – Explore strategies and provide opportunities to motivate practitioners to meaningfully act on new learning and accurately develop techniques.

P: Practice – Discover how purposeful repetition embeds change and boosts effectiveness over time.

KEEP is proven to make professional development more effective and impactful—a core tool recommended by the EEF for the 16–19 sector.

To learn more about the KEEP model – please visit Education Endowment Foundation.

Upcoming Event

Launch of North West 16-18 Evidence Network

7th July | Nelson and Colne College

A bold, inspiring day of professional growth, innovation, and evidence‑informed practice.
Bring your curiosity. Bring your ambition. Bring your passion for teaching and learning.