The Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP) began work in 2000 and aimed to contribute to the improvement of learning outcomes within the United Kingdom and to increase the quality and quantity of educational research. The research covers all sectors, starting with preschool learning and continuing through school to further and higher education, and on to workplace and lifelong learning. TLRP, which is managed by the Economic and Social Research Council, is the largest ever UK research investment in education (over 50 million Euros) and was designed with the intention to perform and promote excellent educational research and ensure that it is used to enhance learning. The TLRP conducts research with the potential to improve outcomes for learners in a very wide range of UK contexts across the lifecourse. TLRP has produced a wide range of outputs, including commentaries on issues of contemporary interest, including one where ten evidence-informed principles are outlined in an attempt to synthesise the ‘big messages’ within TLRP’s project findings and thematic analysis (James and Pollard, 2006). They were the product of an iterative process of consultation and debate between researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. This symposium will review significant findings from the Programme as a whole and present the ‘principles’ on teaching and learning which have been developed. It is intended that this symposium will address questions such as: 1. How resonant are TLRP’s experiences and findings for other contexts? 2. What are the implications of ‘principles’ of the sort developed by TLRP for professional practice in the UK and elsewhere in Europe? 3. What are the implications for educational policy in the UK and elsewhere in Europe? The discussion will be started with a consideration of the directions the new Norwegian educational research programme will take.

TLRP explores synergies between a wide range of different research approaches and aims to build UK capacity in conducting high quality educational research. TLRP is committed to the application of findings to policy and practice and works to maximise the impact of our research and to present it in an accessible way. The TLRP is committed to engaging users in its work. It works in all disciplines and sectors of education and uses a wide range of appropriate methodology. We cooperate with other researchers within and beyond the UK whenever it is appropriate.

TLRP studied a broad range of learning outcomes. These include both the acquisition of skill, understanding, knowledge and qualifications and the development of attitudes, values and identities relevant to a learning society. TLRP supports research projects on many ages and stages in education, training and lifelong learning. The Programme is concerned with patterns of success and difference, inclusion and exclusion through the lifecourse. TLRP works to enhance capacity for all forms of research on teaching and learning, and for research-informed policy and practice. The TLRP works to develop the UK knowledge base on teaching and learning and to make sure that the knowledge it develops is applied in practice and policy. TLRP has produced over 1200 publications - for further details,see: http://www.tlrp.org/pub/index.html TLRP worked with educational research programmes in France, Netherlands, Norway, Swedn and Finland and the results of these collaborations will be discussed.