Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
This study assesses the effectiveness of Lets Think Secondary Science (LTSS), a series of 19 science lessons taught alongside normal science lessons to students in Year 7 and through into Year 8. They are designed to help pupils improve their thinking skills as well as their science achievement. This study is conducted across two years with 2013/14 Year 7 classes in 50 secondary schools in England.
Who can participate?
Schools with a Year 7 and Year 8 in Yorkshire/North East, Midlands and South West
What does the study involve?
Schools are randomly allocated to either use Lets Think Secondary Science starting in September 2013 and ending in June 2015, or to be a comparison school teaching science as usual. After June 2015, all participating schools, including the comparison schools, are able to use Lets Think Secondary Science if they wish. At the end of the two years, students complete assessments in Science, English, Maths and thinking skills. Teachers either undergo training and school visits to support them in using LTSS lessons, or teach science as usual in the control schools. LTSS teachers also receive in-school support from a member of the senior management team and peer-to-peer support.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All Year 7 science teachers at each intervention school receive professional development sessions in science teaching, and a set of science lesson plans and resources. This opportunity is also given to science teachers at the control schools after the two-year study period finishes.
Where is the study run from?
Institute for Effective Education, University of York (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2013 to July 2015
Who is funding the study?
Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Pam Hanley
pam.hanley@york.ac.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Pam Hanley
ORCID ID
Contact details
Institute for Effective Education
Berrick Saul Building
University of York
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
-
pam.hanley@york.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Let's Think Secondary Science: testing a cognitive development programme for science: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Acronym
LTSS
Study hypothesis
The use of a set of 19 science lessons based on Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education principles across the first two years of secondary school will have a positive impact on students' science attainment and their attainment in English, Maths and thinking skills.
Ethics approval
The Education Ethics Committee, University of York, 20/08/2013
Study design
Cluster randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Cluster randomised trial
Trial setting
Schools
Trial type
Other
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Science education
Intervention
Random allocation at school level stratified by region (three regions involved).
Science teachers in the treatment group will undergo training and deliver LTSS lessons to their 2013/14 cohort of students. Teachers in the control schools will teach science as usual.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Science assessment based on curriculum and age-appropriate questions from pre-existing KS3 SATs tests.
Schools will be asked to administer the post-test measures in June 2015
Secondary outcome measures
1. GL Assessments Progress in Maths
2. GL Assessments Progress in English
3. GL Assessments Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4)
Schools will be asked to administer the post-test measures in June 2015
Overall trial start date
01/05/2013
Overall trial end date
30/07/2015
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
Schools with a Year 7 and Year 8 in Yorkshire/North East; Midlands; South West
Participant type
Other
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
50 schools (c17 per region)
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Children in eligible year group in eligible schools whose parents do not wish them to take part
2. Children who start the school after spring term 2014 (i.e., miss more than four terms of LTSS lessons)
Recruitment start date
01/05/2013
Recruitment end date
30/07/2015
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
University of York
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Sponsor details
9th Floor
Millbank Tower
21-24 Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 207 802 1676
info@eefoundation.org.uk
Sponsor type
Government
Website
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
2016 results in: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Projects/Evaluation_Reports/Lets_Think_Secondary_Science.pdf