1stClass@Number 1 is a small-group intervention designed to support Year 2 pupils who are struggling with numeracy. Delivered by trained teaching assistants (TAs), the programme focuses on key number concepts that can cause particular difficulties for children at this age. In the programme as trialled by the EEF, TAs led 30-minute sessions with groups of four pupils, three times a week for 10 weeks, alongside regular maths lessons. The intervention includes structured lesson plans and training to help TAs guide pupils in developing mathematical understanding, encouraging them to think, talk, and reflect on their learning through metacognitive strategies.
The programme was developed by the Every Child Counts (ECC) team at Edge Hill University.
The EEF’s Teaching and Learning Toolkit shows that small group tuition can be effective for improving pupils’ attainment, particularly when targeted to their specific needs.
The EEF has trialled 1stClass@Number 1 twice at effectiveness level. This it was tested in a large number of schools in circumstances that closely reflect everyday classroom practice.
Both trials showed a positive impact on pupils’ maths attainment. In the first trial, pupils who took part in the programme made, on average, two additional months’ progress in maths compared to those who did not.
The second trial, commissioned to investigate more thoroughly the impact on children eligible for free school meals (FSM), found the same result: pupils who took part in the programme made two additional months’ progress, on average, compared to those who did not. The impact was the same for pupils eligible for FSM.
This result has a four padlock security rating, meaning we are confident that this additional progress was caused by the programme itself rather than other factors. TAs involved in the intervention also reported increased knowledge, confidence in teaching maths, and greater awareness of mathematical language.
These positive results have led EEF to designate this as a ‘Promising Programme’.
- 226 primary schools across England took part in the latest effectiveness trial, located across England.
- There was a high proportion of FSM pupils in the trial. 73% of the schools that took part were among the 40% of schools with the highest levels of disadvantage nationally.
- 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 slightly lower on average in participating schools (70% in comparison to 73% nationally).
1stClass@Number 1 is delivered by trained TAs to groups of four Year 2 pupils, three times a week for 30 minutes. The sessions run over 10 weeks and take place alongside regular classroom maths lessons.
TAs receive six training sessions in total: one full day followed by four half-day sessions delivered throughout the programme. After completing the initial full-day training, TAs begin delivering the intervention.
The 30 intervention sessions are divided into 5 topic areas:
- All about number
- Exploring place value
- Addition and subtraction (1)
- Addition and subtraction (2)
- Towards multiplication and division.
These topic areas align with the National Curriculum and are designed to address the most common errors and misconceptions in primary maths learning. There are six sessions for each topic. These are modular and each topic builds upon the previous ones. Pupils involved in the intervention spend approximately 15 more hours on numeracy.
TAs are provided with detailed session guidance and extensive resources to support delivery. A link teacher is required to attend the first and last training sessions and to lead the implementation in school. Some additional materials will be required but these are likely to be readily available in schools (such as coins and linking cubes).
In the most recent effectiveness trial, allocating sufficient preparation time for TAs, having continuity of TAs, and aligning sessions to the delivery of the national curriculum were found to be important factors for successful implementation. The impact evaluation found that the intervention was largely delivered with fidelity by TAs. They perceived the training content, delivery and materials to be of high quality and reported that they enjoyed delivering the intervention.
The average cost of implementing the programme as delivered in the latest trial was around £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).
This is an estimate of the overall cost to a school of implementing the programme at the time of the evaluation. Schools can check the current cost of the programme through the Edge Hill University programme webpage.
The version of 1stClass@Number 1 trialled in the latest effectiveness trial is available to schools nationally. This includes the training sessions (available via online or face to face delivery), detailed session guidance and accompanying resources, access to the secure online data and resource site and an in-person trainer visit to the participating school to monitor and support delivery.
The latest effectiveness trial included the additional use of a diagnostic test (SENT‑R): although this is not currently available as part of the standard programme offering it is recommended that schools use this to support identification of pupils who would most benefit from the programme.
To find out how to access the programme, visit the Edge Hill University programme webpage.
1stClass@Number interventions are available for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, but the version that the EEF has tested is the Year 2 programme, for children who need further support at the end of the Year 1 curriculum.