XTX Markets will contribute up to £3.9m to fund independent evaluations of maths interventions that aim to improve outcomes for 11 – 16-year-olds in secondary schools in England. The EEF will contribute a similar amount, meaning the total spend is expected to be over £7m.
By the end of primary school, there is already a large attainment gap in maths. In 2022, just over half (56%) of pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds reached the expected level in maths by the end of primary schools, compared to over three-quarters (78%) of pupils from non-disadvantaged backgrounds.
But even for those disadvantaged pupils who achieve high grades at the end of primary school, recent analysis by the University of Nottingham found that just half go on to get a grade 7 or above in their maths GCSE.
The partnership will test different approaches to find out which are most likely to support young people’s attainment, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each evaluation will include an additional analysis of how the approach supports pupils to achieve high grades and progress to post-16 maths.
Organisations with promising approaches to supporting maths outcomes in secondary schools will be able to apply for funding through this round from 13th February. Full details will be published on the EEF’s website.
Professor Becky Francis, CBE, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, said:
Simon Coyle, Head of Philanthropy for XTX Markets said: