National Foundation for Educational Research

NFER, the National Foundation for Educational Research, is the UK’s largest independent provider of research, assessment and information services for education and children’s services.

The Foundation has a successful track record spanning more than 60 years.  Its clients are mainly in the charitable and public sectors, including national agencies, local authorities and a range of specialist organisations. 

NFER’s permanent staff of 260 gives it the capability and capacity to work on a wide range of projects, from small-scale surveys to major evaluations and assessment activities.  Its staff work on around 200 projects  a year. 

NFER provides evidence-based research which is used throughout the education system. Teachers can rely its our work to inform their practice in the classroom, while large-scale evaluations of educational initiatives and policies enable policy makers to assess long-term impacts and trends.

With a has a long track record of research into issues like truancy, disengagement from learning, special needs and the provision of mental health services , the Foundation is recognised for its research that is helping those who work with children and young people give them the best possible opportunities in life.

Assessment has always been central to NFER and it is still at the cutting edge of research in this area. The combination of its assessment expertise with the power of ICT resulted in the launch of new e-assessment products, which allow primary teachers to assess, monitor and respond to children’s understanding of and progress in mathematics, reading and science.

Although much of its work is UK-based, NFER has a strong international reputation.  The Foundation works with a range of international associations and educational research organisations to develop major comparative surveys, which increase understanding of national education systems.

NFER provides a range of information services:

·        The NFER website at www.nfer.ac.uk is a gateway to current research projects, new publications and news. NFER publications are available through the online bookshop

·        EMIE at NFER at www.nfer.ac.uk/emie  provides research information for local authority education and children’s services

·        CERUK plus at www.ceruk.ac.uk is a database of current and recently completed UK research in education and children’s services

·        Nferdirect at www.nfer.ac.uk/latest-news/nferdirect  is a monthly interactive email update, including the latest research news, reports, projects and events.

NFER

Date Published: 06/04/09