Evaluating the effectiveness of the Action Tutoring Programme
This study is checking if a special tutoring programme called Action Tutoring can help students who find maths difficult. It focuses on pupils in Year 7, 10, and 11, particularly those who might not achieve a grade 4 in their GCSE maths. Some students will receive weekly tutoring from volunteers, while others will continue with their usual school lessons. Researchers will compare their maths test scores, confidence, and enjoyment of maths to see if the tutoring makes a difference. The aim is to understand if this extra support helps students improve their marks and feel better about maths.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is called 'Evaluating the effectiveness of the Action Tutoring Programme'. It’s looking into whether the Action Tutoring programme, which provides extra maths help, can truly make a difference for students. Specifically, it's for young people who are at risk of not getting a good enough grade (a grade 4 or higher) in their GCSE maths, often because they come from families who might find it harder to afford extra help. The researchers want to find out if getting this tutoring improves their maths results in exams.
The main goal is to see if students who get tutoring end up with better GCSE maths scores. But they're also interested in other things, like if the tutoring makes students feel better about maths, enjoy it more, or even attend school more regularly. This is important because doing well in maths can open up more opportunities for young people in the future.
To make sure the study is fair, some students will receive the tutoring, and others will continue with their normal school lessons. By comparing these two groups, the researchers can tell if any changes in maths scores or confidence are genuinely due to the Action Tutoring programme, rather than something else.
Key takeaways
- A study to see if extra maths tutoring helps students.
- Aimed at students in Year 7, 10, and 11 who are struggling with maths.
- Some students get weekly tutoring, others continue as usual.
- Looking at maths scores, confidence, and enjoyment.
- No identified risks in taking part, but potential for improved maths skills.
Who may be eligible?
This study is for schools to enrol groups of pupils, specifically in Year 7, Year 10, and Year 11.
For Year 11 students, they should be working at GCSE grades 3 to 5 in maths at the start of the school year. For Year 10 students, they should be working at grades 2 to 5. And for Year 7 students, they should have just met, or just missed, the expected standard in their maths SATs tests. Also, most of the selected pupils (at least 65%) should be eligible for a 'Pupil Premium' grant, which means they come from families who might need extra financial support. Generally, students who are already getting a lot of private, paid maths tutoring won't be included.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you in Year 7, 10, or 11 at school?
- Are you finding maths a bit challenging, especially with GCSE grades?
- Does your school think you might benefit from extra maths support?
- Are you not currently receiving a lot of private, paid maths tutoring outside of school?
What does participation involve?
If a school decides to take part, an adult at the school, like a teacher, will work with the Action Tutoring team. They will select eligible students in Year 7, 10, and 11. Before the study starts, Year 10 and 11 pupils will complete an initial maths test, and all selected students will fill out some surveys. Then, students will be randomly put into two groups: one group will receive the Action Tutoring sessions, and the other will continue with their usual school lessons.
Students in the tutoring group will have weekly, one-hour sessions with a volunteer tutor. These sessions will be at a regular time and place, either in person or online. After the tutoring chương trình is finished, all students in the study will either take their GCSE maths exam (Year 11), or another maths test called Access Maths (Year 7 and 10), and complete a final set of surveys. The study will run for the whole academic year, from September 2025 to summer 2026.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- National Foundation for Educational ResearchCity onlySlough, England
Common questions
What is the Action Tutoring programme?
It's a programme that provides extra maths tutoring from volunteers to students who might be struggling, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Which students are eligible to take part?
Students in Year 7, 10, or 11 who are finding maths challenging, particularly around the GCSE grade 4 level, and often those eligible for Pupil Premium funding.
Will all students get tutoring?
No, students will be randomly put into two groups. Half will receive the tutoring, and half will continue with their usual school lessons to allow for a fair comparison.
What are the benefits of joining?
Possible benefits include improved maths grades, increased confidence, greater enjoyment of maths, and potentially better school attendance.
Who is running and paying for this study?
The study is being run by the National Foundation for Educational Research and is funded by the Education Endowment Foundation.
How to find out more
Sarah Lynch
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
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