Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in education research have been carried out for over 100 years. Over the last 15 of these years their use has increased significantly. In this talk we examine the field of education research to address the key challenges faced by education trials today and possible solutions. Despite their growing use they have been subject to sustained and rather trenchant criticism from significant sections of the education research community. There are key areas in which RCTs require focus and improvement: in particular in recruitment and retention, implementation and outcome measures.