A Sunderland teacher training business is expanding into the United Arab Emirates on the back of a major contract.
Evidence Based Education (EBE) was formed in 2015 by Jack Deverson and academic and former teacher, Prof Stuart Kime, to deliver online and on-site training to teachers and schools nationally and internationally. The company, which started life in Durham before moving to Sunderland in a bid to grow, has now been awarded a contract by Emirates Schools Establishment to deliver training to 23,000 teachers in the UAE over the next two years.
EBE will translate courses into Arabic from its Great Teaching Toolkit, which is already used by more than 14,000 teachers around the globe, giving access to a suite of evidence-based courses and resources.
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Mr Deverson, director of Evidence Based Education, said: “This is a huge contract win for us that will essentially increase revenue by 50% over the next two years. It will fuel our growth and has already enabled us to create two new jobs. We’re thrilled to be working with Emirates Schools Establishment to take our school improvement work to the UAE, giving teachers world-leading professional development and helping schools save time and money, while improving teaching and learning. We’re currently in the process of working with Arabic speakers and natives to ensure our content translates well, with culturally relevant examples.”
EBE’s Model for Great Teaching, which is a summary of the best evidence on classroom practice and a curriculum for teachers’ professional learning, has already been translated into multiple languages and is used by schools, universities and faculties around the world.
Since its launch eight years ago EBE has grown steadily and is currently made up of 17 employees. The business has been supported by Sunderland City Council’s Business Investment Team since moving in 2019 to Grange Crescent in Sunderland city centre. Emirates Schools Establishment, meanwhile, works to implement policies, strategies and standards for government schools and nurseries.
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Mr Deverson added: “Sunderland is a fantastic base for our hybrid team, and we have received such fantastic support from the council ever since we moved to the city. They’ve been great in enabling us to continue growing.”
Coun Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to hear of Evidence Based Education’s achievement, as they secure this substantial contract that reflects their dedication to teacher development. As a council, we take pride in supporting local businesses and we wish Jack and the team all the best as they start work in the UAE and take their courses global.”