Education

Education has the power to transform people’s lives. We want every young person in the UK to have the best possible education outcomes and to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in our society. We fund education research to inform and drive the change needed to make this happen.

Learn more about our interest in Education research

Our goal is to find ways to improve educational outcomes through policy change and interventions that are grounded in robust evidence.

We fund research and development projects relating to education across all life stages – from early years through school, to further and higher education and vocational learning. We want to understand young people’s pathways as they move through these stages, and how they acquire skills and capabilities.

Many young people are disadvantaged in the education system, by factors such as special educational needs, disability, socio-economic background and location. Through the research we fund, we help to understand and address these disadvantages. We also aim to improve the quality of teaching and learning, and to understand and support teachers.

We recognise that education is not just what happens in the classroom – we also want to understand the wider influences on people’s education and chances in life, such as the role of families and informal learning.

 

Why education needs research


  • Book

    Pupils are on average three months behind on learning as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and teachers estimate almost half need intensive catch-up support. The quality of teaching and learning has a major influence on educational achievement. Research can help to understand how effective learning takes place, and how teaching practice and education policy can help pupils achieve their potential.

  • Money

    Women who are the first in their family to graduate from university earn 7% less in their mid-20s compared to female graduates whose parents attended university. In contrast, first generation male graduates tend not to face a similar pay penalty. Our research helps to understand the relationships between educational achievement and labour market success, as well as many other spheres such as health and well-being, civic engagement and parenting.

  • Handshake

    The majority of graduating BTEC students – who are more likely to be from disadvantaged backgrounds – achieve at least a 2:1, demonstrating that for many students, these qualifications lead to university success. Research helps us to understand the factors that influence educational achievement, such as family background, where you live, and the choices of provision and pathways that are available. Research also sheds light on why these relationships exist and how disadvantages might be mitigated.

  • Computer mouse

    Widespread closures of schools, colleges and universities in response to COVID-19 led to a rapid transition to fully-remote distance learning for the majority of students. There is debate about how to build robust remote learning capabilities and infrastructure into the education system and more high-quality research into distance learning in schools and colleges, outside the context of the pandemic, is required.

What do we fund in education?


We are currently funding research, development and analysis projects, with a focus on:

  • Skills and capabilities that equip children and young people for life and work, both within and beyond educational institutions.
  • Teaching quality, particularly projects that improve practice through evidence-based interventions and those that harness digital technologies to improve teaching, learning, parental engagement and child development.
  • Young people’s pathways, with an increased focus on young people following non-HE routes.
  • Educational disadvantage, including special educational needs, physical disabilities, mental health issues, socio-economic disadvantage, geographical disadvantage and looked after children.
  • Direct interventions that improve young people’s lives and align with the four priorities identified above and which are grounded in evidence.

Students and teachers


One of the objectives of our work in education is to address the shortage of research and quantitative skills across social science students in the UK. Our student programmes provide opportunities for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop their skills and confidence in quantitative and scientific methods.

Since 1962, the Foundation has also supported major curriculum projects and the creation of a wealth of teaching resources across STEM subjects and beyond.

Our team


  • Eleanor Ireland headshot
  • Emily Tanner
  • Carey Oppenheim headshot
Our impact in education
See our impact
01

For the first time, we have comprehensive analysis of public spending on education, around £95 billion. We now know how spending is targeted at different stages of education, how it has changed over time, and what is driving those changes. In 2021, this annual analysis from the IFS revealed school spending per pupil in 2024 will be about the same level as in 2010, despite extra spending. Schools serving more disadvantaged pupils have seen even larger cuts over the last decade. Our education spending analysis has attracted significant media coverage, increasing pressure on the government to take action.

View project
02

In 2019, the DfE published a Recruitment and Retention Strategy to address issues with teacher supply. The Strategy echoed Nuffield-funded research from the NFER, which called for a greater emphasis on teacher retention as well as recruitment. The NFER research has also led to the DfE setting up a new policy area on part-time and flexible working, which has resulted in guidance, case studies and resources for schools.

View project
03

We have awarded over £1.3 million for research into the impact of COVID-19 on education. Findings from the IFS and NFER contributed to government policy changes around school closures, home learning, technology provision, support for disadvantaged children and catch-up and recovery programmes. ASK Research also highlighted that pupils at special schools faced particular challenges. These projects provided vital evidence that pupils in low-income families and those with special educational needs were the worst hit by learning disruption.

View project
See our impact

Education projects

12 of 285 results

Spend your summer holiday enhancing your university application and career prospects on a Nuffield Research Placement.

Q-Step is a major strategic programme designed to promote a step-change in quantitative social science education and training.

We aim to improve people’s lives by funding research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. We also fund student programmes that give young people skills and confidence in science and research.

We are an open, collaborative and engaged funder that offers more than money. Through connecting the individual projects we fund, we strengthen their collective impact and give voice to an overarching narrative.

Profile