Education Endowment Foundation funded project launched to help GCSE maths resit students

The Association of Colleges (AoC) is working with The Education Endowment Foundation and the University of York on a programme called ‘The 5Rs – a revision year approach to GCSE Maths resits’.

The programme aims to conduct manualised intervention trials that aim to support students resitting their maths GCSEs to improve their attainment and outcomes. The curriculum model is tailored to the specific needs of the resits students. It consists of both a set lesson structure, lesson content and revision resources, and three short initial diagnostic tests, which are used to determine where a student is currently sitting in terms of ability.

The content of the trials is built on the 40 most common topics in GCSE exams and common exam pitfalls.  The programme also introduces students to alternative methods for undertaking common but tricky calculations, such as multiplying numbers and adding fractions.

AoC is seeking 80 post-16 settings to take part in the evaluation of this programme.

Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at the Association of Colleges, said: “This is a great opportunity for post-16 providers with students retaking GCSE maths to help evaluate the 5Rs revision year approach. 5Rs builds on 40 key topics which students need to understand and helps them to develop their mathematical skills and fluency. Selected centres will benefit from training and resources to implement this popular approach as part of a national research study.”