Focusing on the Evidence: Why Every Teacher Should Bookmark the EEF

Where do you go when you need classroom strategies you can trust? How do you cut through the noise of endless teaching blogs, social media tips, and well-intentioned advice to find what actually works?

For teachers in Bangladesh and around the world, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has become one of the most respected sources of evidence in education. Their mission is simple yet powerful: help teachers improve outcomes for children by giving them access to high-quality, research-based tools.

But here’s the challenge: the EEF website is a treasure chest—and like any good treasure chest, it can feel overwhelming when you first lift the lid. Guidance reports, teaching and learning tools, evidence reviews, professional development resources…the sheer scale of it is enough to make any teacher think, “Where do I start?”

So, let’s break it down.

Why the EEF Matters

The EEF has shaped classrooms not just in the UK, but globally. Their Guidance Reports are beautifully clear, distilling complex research into practical steps teachers can take tomorrow morning. Want to sharpen your assessment practice? There’s a report for that. Looking to support literacy at secondary level? Covered. Wondering how best to use feedback to move learning forward? Absolutely.

And unlike much of what you’ll find online, these reports aren’t opinion pieces—they are grounded in large-scale evidence reviews. That’s why ministries of education, school leaders, and teachers keep turning back to them: the advice is tried, tested, and trustworthy.

Navigating the Website Without Getting Lost

Here’s how to unlock the EEF website without feeling like you’ve fallen down a research rabbit hole:

1. Start with Guidance Reports – These are the “must-read” documents. Think of them as handbooks that combine evidence with practical strategies. Head to the “Guidance Reports” section and pick one that speaks to your current classroom challenge.

2. Explore the Teaching and Learning Toolkit – This is the EEF’s flagship tool. It ranks strategies (like “feedback,” “collaborative learning,” or “homework”) by their impact on learning, cost, and strength of evidence. Want to know which approaches give you the biggest bang for your buck? The Toolkit lays it out in plain language.

3. Check out the Projects – Curious about what’s being trialled right now? The “Projects” section details ongoing research into everything from metacognition to parental engagement. It’s fascinating to see what’s on the horizon.

4. Dive into Evidence Reviews – When you’re ready for a deeper dive, the reviews pull together findings on specific themes, giving you the big picture.

5. Use the Search Bar – Don’t underestimate it. Type in a keyword like “phonics,” “memory,” or “behaviour” and you’ll be amazed at how much comes up.

Bringing It Back to Your Classroom

So, how should teachers use the EEF in practice? Think of it as your evidence-based toolkit. Struggling with behaviour? Read the behaviour guidance report and trial one recommendation with your class. Looking to stretch high-attainers? Use the Toolkit to see which strategies have the most impact. The key is to start small, implement thoughtfully, and reflect.

Final Thoughts

The EEF isn’t just another website—it’s a lifeline for teachers who want to ground their practice in evidence. Yes, the amount of material can feel daunting, but with a clear starting point, it becomes an incredible ally in your professional journey.

So next time you’re planning a lesson, preparing a training session, or simply curious about what works, ask yourself: Have I checked what the evidence says? Chances are, the EEF has already done the hard work for you.