Action Tutoring - Effectiveness trial
School information sheet School privacy notice Pupil and parent/carer privacy notice Tutor privacy notice (Coming soon)
NFER and The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) have been commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to to evaluate the impact of Action Tutoring’s small group maths tuition with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Years 7, 10 and 11 in the 2025-26 academic year.
What is the aim of this research?
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.
Who can take part?
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.
What type of research is this?
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).
What does participation involve?
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.
How will you benefit from taking part?
- 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.
What are the timings for this project?
A detailed timeline of activities can be found in the school information sheet.
How do you sign up?
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.
Who can I contact for more information?
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].