About Researchers in Schools
Researchers in Schools is delivered by The Brilliant Club, an award-winning charity that exists to widen access to highly-selective universities for pupils from under-represented groups. Through Researchers in Schools, PhD graduates become highly-effective classroom teachers, champions for university access and future subject leaders in the education sector.
Researchers in Schools is currently delivered in partnership with 15 Initial Teacher Education providers and more than 75 schools, and supported by a range of educational organisations and the Department for Education.
To increase and disseminate subject expertise
Increasing the number of high-level subject specialists in non-selective state schools, including shortage subjects like maths and physics, ensuring the dissemination of both subject knowledge and cutting-edge expertise within individual schools and throughout the wider system.
To promote education research
Utilising the unique skill set of researchers through a tailored teacher training programme that develops the research skills of both pupils and teachers, with a focus on independent enquiry, evidence-informed teaching and action research.
To champion university access
Promoting researchers as in-school champions of higher education, who support access to research-intensive universities and provide discrete programmes of learning to challenge and stretch pupils.
For a full breakdown of our activities read our programme overview.
“Widening university access, valuing the importance of subject knowledge, and research-based teaching are three areas where teachers with PhDs can have an enormous impact."
Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools
Our impact so far
The RIS Programme is a unique route into teaching that recruits PhD graduates and works in partnership with schools to place and train them as new subject specialist teachers, for an initial three-year period.
We work in partnership with schools, ITE providers and universities across England to recruit outstanding PhD graduates and support them to become excellent teachers and research leaders, who are committed to closing the gap in attainment and university access. We are always looking to partner with schools and ITE providers who share our aims – please see the link below.
We accept applications from candidates who have already achieved a PhD, or who will have completed their PhD before the start of Summer Training.
Not a school or researcher but want to be involved in our mission?
Find out more about the Brilliant Club, the award-winning charity that delivers RIS, here.