This book makes a new addition to the literature on the growth of practitioner research in schools. It draws on the author 's experience of supporting work in this field over a ten year period, both as a senior system leader and policy adviser, and in university roles.This book will make a timely contribution because of the rising level of interest both in school-based practitioner action research, and in the notion of evidence informed policies and strategies, which is topical in the UK and in other parts of the English speaking world. This book will explore the ground which joins these notions and by doing so offer fresh angles and insights to an important area of debate. The field of activity by schools described in this book as research engagement accounts for significant direct and indirect investment, and this book offers new critical and evaluative perspectives in a field where there are currently few.