The primary aim of the evaluation is to explore Action Tutoring’s effectiveness at promoting maths attainment via a 20-week tutoring programme for Year 11 pupils. It will also explore the impact of different programme lengths for Year 10 (20 weeks and 15 weeks) and Year 7 (15 weeks and 10-weeks). It will also investigate pupils’ confidence, motivation and self-perceptions towards maths learning The Year 7 programme will also aim to support pupils’ transition from key stage 2 to 3.
To be eligible to participate in the trial, your school must:
- Be a state-maintained, mainstream secondary school in England with pupils in Year 7, 10 and 11.
- Have a school-wide Pupil Premium eligibility rate of at least 78%.
- Not have partnered with Action Tutoring or any other external tutoring provider in 2024-25
- Not be taking part in another maths-focused EEF trial for the same year groups in 2025-26
Further information on eligibility is available in the 
school information sheet.
This is a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). Schools will select between 26 and 40 eligible pupils from each year group to take part. Selected pupils will then be randomly allocated to either the control group (supported by the school as normal, without tutoring) or the intervention group (who will take part in small-group tuition). Year 11 pupils in the intervention group will be tutored for 20 weeks, while the length of tutoring for Years 10 and 7 will be determined randomly (either 15 weeks for both years, or 20 and 10 weeks respectively).
Selected pupils in intervention and control groups will be asked to complete a maths assessment prior to tutoring starting and then following the tutoring programme. They will also be asked to complete an online maths attitude survey at both points.
Monitoring data on pupil participation in tutoring will be collected throughout the programme. Link teachers, maths teachers and tutors will be asked to complete online surveys during the evaluation. Eight schools will be invited to be part of a school case study which will involve interviews with school staff, tutors and pupils. Pupils who withdraw from the programme will be asked to complete a short proforma.
Further details on evaluation activities can be found in the school information sheet.
- Access innovative, easily implemented tutoring provision for up to 60 pupils at a 92% discount
- Receive a thank-you payment of £500 upon completing all trial-related activities
- Case study schools will also receive a thank-you payment of £150.
A detailed timeline of activities can be found in the school information sheet.
If you would like to take part in this trial, please e-mail Action Tutoring via [email protected].
The closing date for expressions of interest is 30 June 2025.
If you have any further questions about the programme, please e-mail Action Tutoring via [email protected].
If you have any further questions about the evaluation, please e-mail [email protected].