Education Endowment Foundation:1stClass@Number 1 – second trial

1stClass@Number 1 – second trial

Edge Hill University
Implementation costThe cost estimates in the Toolkits are based on the average cost of delivering the intervention.
Evidence strengthThis rating provides an overall estimate of the robustness of the evidence, to help support professional decision-making in schools.
Impact (months)The impact measure shows the number of additional months of progress made, on average, by children and young people who received the intervention, compared to similar children and young people who did not.
+2
months
Project info

Independent Evaluator

NFER logo
NFER

A trial to test the impact of 1stClass@Number 1, a 10-week targeted intervention to support children struggling with numeracy in Year 2.

Pupils: 1880 Schools: 235 Grant: £386,457.59
Key Stage: 1 Type of Trial: Effectiveness level evidence
Completed July 2025

This page covers the second effectiveness trial of 1stClass@Number 1, which tested the programme in a larger number of schools in circumstances that are as close as possible to everyday conditions. To read about the first trial of the programme – click here.

1stClass@Number 1 is a small-group intervention delivered by Teaching Assistants (TAs). It supports pupils struggling with numeracy in Year 2. TAs receive one full day and four half-days of training during the programme. After attending the first day of training, the TAs begin to deliver half-hour sessions to small groups of pupils. These small group sessions are delivered three times a week for 10 weeks, in addition to normal mathematics instruction. Pupils involved in the intervention spend approximately 15 more hours on numeracy. The focus of the content is on the aspects of number which can cause particular difficulties for children at this age.

EEF summary

As part of the Department for Education’s Accelerator Fund, the EEF commissioned this trial as one of a number of programmes that showed promise for increasing pupil attainment. An earlier effectiveness trial of 1stClass@Number 1 suggested that the children taking part in the intervention made two months’ additional progress in maths, on average, compared to other children. This second effectiveness trial was commissioned to investigate more thoroughly the impact on children eligible for free school meals (FSM).

Pupils receiving 1stClass@Number 1 made the equivalent of two additional months’ progress, on average, compared to pupils who did not receive 1stClass@Number 1. This result has a high security rating. Pupils eligible for FSM receiving 1stClass@Number 1 also made the equivalent of two additional months’ progress, on average, compared to FSM-eligible pupils who did not receive 1stClass@Number 1.

The results suggest that the 1stClass@Number 1 intervention had a positive impact on maths attainment for all pupils taking part, including those eligible for FSM. The implementation evaluation found that pupils enjoyed the intervention activities and grew in skills and confidence. TAs enjoyed delivering the sessions and also grew in knowledge and confidence with their teaching of mathematics and in their awareness of mathematical language. 1stClass@Number 1’s unique features were perceived to be the gradual building of knowledge across the sessions, the high-quality training and resources, and the provision of adaptations that allowed content to be tailored to pupil needs.

The EEF is discussing next steps for 1stClass@Number 1 and has included it on our Promising Programmes page due to its positive findings.

Outcome/​Group
ImpactThe size of the difference between pupils in this trial and other pupils
SecurityHow confident are we in this result?
Maths attainment (all pupils)
+2
Months' progress
(Effect size 0.12)
Maths attainment (FSM pupils)
+2
Months' progress
(Effect size 0.11)
N/A

Were the schools in the trial similar to my school?

  • Schools randomised: 226
  • East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
  • There was a high proportion of FSM pupils in trial schools, 73% of these trial schools were in the highest 40% of schools nationally in terms of FSM eligibility. 91% of the schools were located in urban areas (compared to 70% nationally). The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in KS2 maths was lower on average at trial schools (mean of 70.4 versus 73.1).

Could I implement this in my school?

  • 1stClass@Number 1 is delivered by TAs to groups of four pupils, three times a week, for 30 minutes
  • TAs attend six training sessions and are provided with a handbook and resource box.
  • A link teacher, who will be responsible for leading the implementation of the 1stClass@Number 1 intervention in school, is required to attend the first and last training sessions.
  • Some additional materials will be required but these are likely to be readily available in schools (such as coins and linking cubes).
  • It was found to be important that the 1stClass@Number 1 sessions were aligned to the delivery of the national curriculum and that TAs were allocated sufficient preparation time
  • 1stClass@Number 1 is available from Edge Hill University’s Every Child Counts team: 1stClass@Number | Mathematics intervention | Every Child Counts.

How much does it cost?

The average cost of implementing 1stClass@Number 1 for one school is around £745 per year or £93 per pupil per year when averaged over three years (on the assumption that the intervention is delivered to two groups of four pupils each year). Costs reduce in year 2 (to £125) and year 3 (to £93) because training does not have to be delivered again, and some of the materials and resources can continue to be used.

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