Let's Think Secondary Science: testing a cognitive development programme for science

ISRCTN	ISRCTN08354937
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN08354937
Protocol serial number	N/A
Sponsor	Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Funder	Education Endowment Foundation (UK)

Submission date: 14/08/2014
Registration date: 13/10/2014
Last edited: 11/08/2017

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
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

Contact information

Dr Pam Hanley
Scientific

Institute for Effective Education
Berrick Saul Building
University of York
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Email	pam.hanley@york.ac.uk

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Cluster randomised controlled trial
Secondary study design	Cluster randomised trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title	Let's Think Secondary Science: testing a cognitive development programme for science: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Study acronym	LTSS
Study objectives	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(s)	The Education Ethics Committee, University of York, 20/08/2013
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	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
Primary outcome measure(s)	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
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	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
Completion date	30/07/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Other
Age group	Child
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	50
Key inclusion criteria	Schools with a Year 7 and Year 8 in Yorkshire/North East; Midlands; South West
Key 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)
Date of first enrolment	01/05/2013
Date of final enrolment	30/07/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

United Kingdom
England

Study participating centre

University of York

York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Funder report results	results			No	No
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes
Study website	Study website	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes

Editorial Notes

11/08/2017: Publication reference added.