The aim of the evaluation is to improve understanding of the activities that support student attainment and progress in maths. Evaluation over the first two years of the MEF (2024/25 and 2025/26) has informed programme development and will continue as the programmes progress into the third year of implementation.
The evaluation of the third year of the fund (2026/27) will focus on how the programmes are delivered in schools/colleges, student participation in the various activities, how identified teachers champion maths and programme activities (maths championing), how the programmes support attainment, progress and engagement in maths, and what teachers and students think about them.
The fund is supporting four programmes across England that are being led by schools, universities and charities.
More information about the fund and its programmes can be found on the Maths Excellence Fund website.
NFER is independently evaluating the four programmes over the first three years of their programme delivery, with delivery beginning in September 2024 and expected to run for five academic years.
Evaluation activities in the third year of the MEF will include online surveys for participating students and an online survey completed by heads of maths in each school/college, plus the collection of monitoring data.
In a small number of schools, it will also include remote interviews with heads of maths and maths champions, and in-person student focus groups. Each of the four programme delivery partners will also be interviewed remotely.
By taking part in this evaluation, you will help us and the founding donors further understand what makes students join and stay on the maths excellence pathway, thus opening up improved student attainment, progression and career opportunities, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The delivery of the four programmes supported by the fund commenced in September 2024 and is expected to run for five academic years.
The evaluation report based on the first three years of delivery is expected at the end of 2027.
Four programmes have already been established by the fund in England.
More information about the fund and its programmes can be found on the Maths Excellence Fund website.
If you have any questions or would like further information about the research, please contact the project team at [email protected].
