Independent Evaluation of using self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) and memorable experiences to improve writing quality

ISRCTN ISRCTN11002306
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11002306
Secondary identifying numbers V3 26.01.2015
Submission date
02/02/2015
Registration date
04/02/2015
Last edited
17/08/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
In 2013 approximately 85,000 pupils left primary school in England without having attained the suggested required level in writing (Department for Education, 2013). The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a writing intervention called ‘Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) with memorable experiences’ on the writing skills of pupils in Year 5 and Year 6. The intervention has shown promise in previous research and this project will evaluate whether it can be delivered on a larger scale in a UK context.
The intervention will train teachers through a CPD programme to implement SRSD in their classrooms. SRSD is a writing process model in which students are encouraged to plan, draft, edit and revise their writing. SRSD is a strategy (originating in the United States in the 1990s), which provides a clear structure to assist writers and can be used for most genres of writing, including narrative writing. Alongside this schools will receive funding so children can undertake ‘memorable experiences’ to provide stimulus for children’s writing practice.

Who can participate?
Approximately 80 schools, from Lincolnshire and the Leeds areas will take part in the project. All children in Year 5 and Year 6 in the 2015/2016 academic year from participating schools will be eligible for the study (approximately 7200 children).

What does the study involve?
Approximately 40 schools will be randomly allocated to the SRSD group and 40 schools to the control group.
SRSD group - schools will receive training in SRSD during June 2015. Schools will be supported to deliver SRSD with memorable experiences to Year 5 and 6 pupils during the academic year 2015/2016 beginning in September 2015 and to continue with the Year 5 pupils when they move into Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year.
Control group - schools will be asked to continue with usual teaching with Year 5 and 6 pupils in the 2015/2016 academic year and to continue with usual teaching with the Year 5 pupils when they move into Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year. To encourage schools to take part in the trial, schools in the control group will receive training in SRSD and funding for memorable experiences, in 2016, and can deliver the intervention to pupils not in the study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration

Where is the study run from?
Run from York Trials Unit, UK and recruiting from 80 schools from Lincolnshire and the Leeds areas.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From to October 2014 to March 2018

Who is funding the study?
Education Endowment Foundation

Who is the main contact?
Mrs Hannah Ainsworth
hannah.ainsworth@york.ac.uk

Contact information

Mrs Hannah Ainsworth
Public

York Trials Unit
Lower Ground Floor
ARRC Building
Health Sciences
University of York
Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Phone +44 01904 328158
Email hannah.ainsworth@york.ac.uk

Study information

Study designPragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, with wait list at the level of the school
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designCluster randomised trial
Study setting(s)School
Study typeOther
Scientific titleIndependent Evaluation of using self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) and memorable experiences to improve writing quality: one cluster randomised controlled trial with two primary outcomes
Study acronymSRSD Evaluation
Study objectivesWhat is the effectiveness of SRSD with memorable experiences when delivered for one year to pupils in Year 6 compared with ‘teaching as usual’ on the writing skills of participating children?
What is the effectiveness of SRSD with memorable experiences when delivered for two years to pupils beginning in Year 5 and moving into Year 6 compared with pupils receiving ‘usual teaching’ on the writing skills of participating children?

References:

Andrews R, Torgerson C, Low G, McGuinn N, Robinson A (2006). Teaching argumentative non-fiction writing to 7–14 year olds: a systematic review of the evidence of successful practice. Technical report. In: Research Evidence in Education Library. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London

Department of Education (2013). ‘National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2 in England, 2013’. (Revised) (Reference IdL SFR51/2013). Statistical First Release.

Torgerson D, Torgerson C, Ainsworth H, Buckley H, Heaps C, Hewitt C, Mitchell M, (2014).Improving Writing Quality: Evaluation Report and Executive Summary, Education Endowment Foundation. Available online at: http://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/uploads/pdf/EEF_Evaluation_Report_-_Improving_Writing_Quality_-_May_2014_v2.pdf
Ethics approval(s)1. Durham University School of Education Ethics Committee, 09/02/2015
2. University of York Health Sciences Research Governance Committee (by Chair’s Action), 30/06/2015
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedWriting skills
InterventionSelf-regulated strategy development (SRSD) is a writing process model in which students are encouraged to plan, draft, edit and revise their writing. SRSD is a strategy which provides a clear structure to assist writers and can be used for most genres of writing, including narrative writing. This trial will evaluate the 'at scale' continuing professional development (CPD) training programme in SRSD delivery for Year 5 and Year 6 teachers.

Schools in the intervention group will receive training in SRSD during June 2015. Schools will be supported to deliver SRSD with memorable experiences to Year 5 and 6 pupils during the academic year 2015/2016 beginning in September 2015 and to Year 6 pupils in the 2016/2017 academic year. Schools will receive funding to support memorable experiences.

Schools in the control group will be asked to continue with usual teaching with Year 5 and 6 pupils in the 2015/2016 academic year. From June 2016 control schools will receive training in SRSD, and will be supported to deliver SRSD with memorable experiences to pupils in Year 5 (and Year 4 if they wish) in the 2016/2017 academic year. Schools will receive funding to support memorable experiences. Schools will be explicitly asked not to deliver SRSD to pupils currently in Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureCurrent primary outcome measures as of 24/01/2019:
1. KS2 English writing results for children in Year 6 in the 2015/2016 academic year
2. Progress in writing for children in Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year measured using a test that drew on components of historical KS2 assessments (past KS2 writing papers) independently administered and marked

Previous primary outcome measures:
1. KS2 English writing results for children in Year 6 in the 2015/2016 academic year
2. KS2 English writing results for children in Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year
Secondary outcome measuresCurrent secondary outcome measures as of 24/01/2019:
For children in Year 6 in the 2015/2016 academic year:
1. KS2 Reading
2. KS2 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
3. KS2 Maths
4. Long term follow-up using data from the National Pupil Database.

For children in Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year:
1. KS2 writing (national test)
2. KS2 Reading
3. KS2 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
4. KS2 Maths
5. Long term follow-up using data from the National Pupil Database.

Previous secondary outcome measures:
For children in Year 6 in the 2015/2016 academic year:
1. KS2 Reading
2. KS2 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
3. KS2 Maths
4. Long term follow-up using data from the National Pupil Database.

For children in Year 6 in the 2016/2017 academic year:
KS2 Reading
KS2 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
KS2 Maths
Long term follow up using the National Pupil Database.
Overall study start date06/10/2014
Completion date31/03/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupChild
SexBoth
Target number of participantsSRSD for 1 year: 80 schools with 3,600 children in total (i.e., 45 per school). SRSD for 2 years: 70 schools with 3,150 children in total (i.e., 45 per school)
Key inclusion criteriaPrimary schools from Leeds and Lincolnshire
Key exclusion criteria1. Primary schools in an Ofsted category
2. Primary schools who cannot teach Year 6 separately
Date of first enrolment09/02/2015
Date of final enrolment23/03/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences , University of York
Lower Ground Floor
ARRC Building
Health Sciences
Heslington
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of York
University/education

Sue Final, Intellectual Property Manager
University of York
Research Innovation Office
Innovation Centre
York Science Park
York
YO10 5DG
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04m01e293

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Education Endowment Foundation (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/04/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in repository
Publication and dissemination planA final report will be published on the Education Endowment Foundations website. Journal publications will also be prepared
IPD sharing plan-

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Funder report results results No No
Protocol (other) 28/07/2015 17/08/2022 No No
Protocol (other) 28/01/2015 17/08/2022 No No
Protocol (other) 17/08/2022 No No
Protocol (other) 17/08/2022 No No

Editorial Notes

17/08/2022: Protocols added.
24/01/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. The ethics approval dates have been added.
2. The primary outcome measures have been changed.
3. The secondary outcome measures have been changed.
16/11/2018: Publication reference added.