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Communications and Content Officer
Following her previous experience in event organisation at an educational charity, Joni joined EPI as an Events Intern in July 2022 before becoming a Research Assistant in November 2022.
Joni graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA in English Literature and went on to complete an MA in Education Policy at University College London.
School groups are a key feature of the school system in England and understanding what makes them effective is critical for delivering system-wide improvement. Beginning in 2021, EPI carried out a programme of work examining the characteristics of effective school…
By Joni Kelly
Education technology (edtech) is rising on the political agenda with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson setting out plans to modernise the education system and transform teaching. This includes the launch of the ‘Edtech Evidence Board’ to evaluate the effectiveness and impact…
By Joni Kelly
In September 2024, the Government commissioned an independent Curriculum & Assessment Review to examine the National Curriculum to ensure it remains fit for purpose and delivers educational excellence for all. This marks over a decade since the curriculum offer was…
By Joni Kelly and Education Policy Institute
In Spring 2025, EPI, in partnership with Durham University and the North East Combined Authority (NECA), brought together policymakers, school leaders and sector experts in a series of events investigating potential drivers of geographic educational inequalities and their implications for…
By Joni Kelly and Education Policy Institute
A new report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), commissioned by the Welsh Government, reviews the existing literature to identify policies that might attract and retain teachers in challenging schools across Wales. The report focuses on schools with high socio-economic…
By James Zuccollo, Jo Hutchinson, Joni Kelly, and Education Policy Institute
A new report published by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) examines the impact of the national phonics screening check (PSC) on early reading development in primary schools across England. The research by EPI uses national pupil-level census data for all…
By Dr Tammy Campbell and Joni Kelly
Teachers have raised concerns that, particularly since the pandemic, the number of children arriving at school with low 'school readiness' is increasing. During the first five years of development, children acquire a variety of key skills including language, communication, and social/emotional…
By Joni Kelly