1stClass@Number 1 is a small-group intervention delivered by Teaching Assistants (TAs). It supports pupils struggling with numeracy in Year 2. It consists of around 30 half-hour lessons, delivered three times a week for 10 weeks in addition to normal mathematics instruction. Pupils involved in the intervention spend approximately 15 more hours on numeracy. The focus is on key aspects of number which can cause particular difficulties for children at this age.

TAs work from detailed lesson plans, which they can adapt based on what they learn from formative assessments. They help children to think and talk about their mathematics and develop metacognitive skills.

The TAs receive one full day and four half-days of training during the programme. The training covers effective feedback and develops the TAs’ own understanding of mathematics. TAs are supported by a link teacher in their school, often the maths lead or a senior member of staff. The link teacher also attends two half days of training. During implementation each school receives a support visit from a trainer.

This research project is heavily subsidised by the EEF. All schools in the project will take part in the 1^stClass@Number 1 intervention and receive the full Teaching Assistant 1^stClass@Number 1 training and resources package. This will be provided at a reduced cost of £200 (usual cost is £1,100). The payment will include:

• full training for the TA/Link Teacher from the school
• an extensive ready made resource pack to support the lessons back in school together with the Sandwell Test to use in pupil selection and a separate baseline & endpoint test provided by the NFER
• an essential visit to the school by the ECC Trainer to support delivery and management of 1^stClass@Number 1.

All schools will:

• be expected to complete pupil selection together with baseline and endpoint testing required by the NFER to assess programme impact
• also receive an incentive payment of £500 once all required data has been provided to the NFER.

To take part schools must:

• be an Infant or Primary school with children in Year 2, as at 1st September 2023, attaining at 12 months below age related expectations
• be able to access face to face training
• commit to complete all aspects of the project – all schools will participate in 1^stClass@Number 1 training. For the Trial a group of 4 children will receive 1^stClass@Number 1 and a separate group of 4 children will not receive the intervention at this time in each school
• NOT be taking part in another EEF research trial in the academic years 2023-24
• NOT have a TA currently working in the school who has already completed any 1^stClass@Number training after 1^st September 2019.

The delivery of face to face 1^stClass@Number 1 will take place in the Autumn/Spring terms of 2023/24 over 1 full and 4 half days.

High quality training enables a Teaching Assistant to deliver 1^stClass@Number 1 to a group of up to 4 pupils in need of catch up over a period of 10 weeks.

Venues for face to face training will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Working together with the EEF and NFER, Edge Hill University will ask that the school signs a MoU so that all parties have a clarity in what is to be provided by the University, the EEF financial contribution, the NFER evaluation and the school participation requirements.

This will enable the evaluation to be successful, benefitting the school and contributing to understanding of how well the intervention works. Your school’s taking part in this type of research will contribute to the EEF’s evidence base which supports schools to make informed choices when deciding how best to support struggling pupils and those entitled to Pupil Premium.

All schools will be committing to:

• Ensuring full participation in the TA & school link teacher training.
• Completing a pupil selection process so that 8 pupils are chosen – pupil randomisation will allocate 4 pupils to receive the intervention and 4 to be in the control group.
• Delivering the intervention in full to the 4 selected pupils.
• Complying with all NFER data collection requirements – some schools may be invited to take part in interviews, surveys or observations.