Recommendation 13

While the Department is confident in its evidence base for pupil premium it recognised the need to continue building evidence in other areas, for example early years, and on wider outcomes beyond academic attainment such as attendance and home learning.39 The Department said it was keen to have more of an evidence–based approach to how it thinks about schools policy more widely.40 The Department outlined plans to widen its evidence base further through, for example, working with a wider range of What Works Centres as part of the Opportunities Mission and its plans to 30 Q 25; C&AG’s Report, para 13 31 C&AG’s Report, para 13 32 Q 26 33 Q 25 34 Q 25 35 Q 33 36 Qq 26, 32 37 Q 32 38 Q 22 39 Qq 28, 36 40 Q 37 11 consult experts on how gaps in the existing evidence base on areas such as attendance and home learning can be filled.41 The Department also plans to publish areas of research interest. Investing in early years support