Evaluation of the Catch Up Numeracy programme
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN33398647 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN33398647 |
| Protocol serial number | EFCU |
| Sponsor | The Education Endowment Foundation (UK) |
| Funder | The Education Endowment Fund (UK) |
- Submission date
- 21/11/2013
- Registration date
- 19/05/2014
- Last edited
- 15/03/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Catch Up Numeracy is a one-to-one intervention for primary school children who are struggling with numeracy (mathematical ability). It consists of two 15-minute lessons per week for up to 30 weeks, usually delivered by teaching assistants (TA). To prepare them for the programme, teaching assistants are supplied with detailed lesson plans and receive three half-day training sessions. The programme breaks numeracy down into ten components, tests childrens ability on each, and targets subsequent instruction so that the tutor always addresses the exact area of weakness.
Who can participate?
Pupils in years 4, 5 and 6 who are struggling with mathematics will be selected by schools for inclusion in the project.
What does the study involve?
Each participating school will provide two teaching assistants who will be randomly allocated to deliver the Catch Up program or a time-equivalent program. The TA assigned to the Catch Up program will receive the necessary training from Catch Up. Six eligible pupils will be provided from each school and these will be randomly allocated to receive the Catch Up program, a time-equivalent program, or normal lessons in numeracy. The program will run for 30 weeks and pupils will be tested in numeracy before the start of program and at completion of the 30-week period. This will identify gains in numeracy ability.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The programme may improve pupils' numeracy ability.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run from selected primary schools in the UK.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to last?
The project started in October 2012 and ran until June 2013.
Who is funding the study?
Education Endowment Fund (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Mr Simon Rutt
s.rutt@nfer.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
The Mere
Upton park
Slough
SL1 2DQ
United Kingdom
| Phone | 01753 637396 |
|---|---|
| s.rutt@nfer.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Three armed randomised trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Evaluation of the Catch Up Numeracy programme: a randomised trial |
| Study objectives | The Catch Up Numeracy programme, by breaking numeracy into component parts, leads to an increase in numeracy for the 30-week period where the program is in use within schools. |
| Ethics approval(s) | National Foundation for Educational Research Code of Prcatice Committee |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Educational attainment |
| Intervention | Catch Up Numeracy is a one-to-one intervention for primary school children who are struggling with numeracy. It consists of two 15 minute lessons per week for up to 30 weeks, usually delivered by teaching assistants. Teaching assistants are randomised to one of two groups within each school: 1. Time equivalent 2. Catch Up Numeracy Six pupils within each school are randomly allocated to one of three groups: 1. Time equivalent 2. Catch Up Numeracy 3. Control The randomisation results in 100 pupils in each of the three groups. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) | Progress made in the Basic Number Screening Test |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | 1. Subgroup analysis will be carried out on pupils' gender and eligibility for free school meals (fsm) 2. Pre- and post-test scores on the Salford Sentence Reading Test and the Non-Reading Intelligence Tests 1-3 All pre tests were administered following the training of the Teaching Assistants. This took place between September and November 2012. The post testing took place following completion of the 30-week programme between June and July 2013. |
| Completion date | 30/06/2013 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 300 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Pupils in years 4, 5 and 6 who are struggling with arithmetic |
| Key exclusion criteria | Parental opt-out |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/10/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
SL1 2DQ
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 | 01/02/2014 | No | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
15/03/2017: Publication reference added.
