Maths Intervention Programmes FAQs
What is the importance of maths interventions?
Without maths interventions in place, pupils who struggle to keep up with the class or who face mathematical difficulties will fall further behind. Interventions can take the form of small group sessions, but research suggests that one to one teaching will have the most positive impact as support can be personalised to the needs of each individual pupil. At Third Space Learning, each pupil begins with an initial diagnostic assessment and then receives personalised one to one tutoring from their own dedicated maths specialist tutor.
What makes an effective maths intervention?
According to the Education Endowment Foundation, effective maths interventions start early, are linked to whole class teaching and motivate pupils. They recommend selecting pupils based on assessment data, and ensuring interventions include explicit and systematic teaching to help pupils secure knowledge and apply their skills. In order for interventions to be effective, they must make the best use of staff time and of school finances. This is why Third Space Learning has been designed to ease pressure on school staff and budgets.
How do you implement maths interventions?
First, look at your pupil data to identify which pupils are most in-need. Next, use diagnostic assessments to pinpoint the specific gaps and misconceptions that are holding each pupil back. If you're running small group interventions, you can try and group pupils with similar gaps together. You'll then need to create lesson plans that focus on these individual gaps and decide who will run the interventions and when they'll take place. At Third Space Learning, we take care of all of this for schools, and all they need to do is let us know which pupils need help and when they'd like the sessions to take place.
How do you identify which students need a maths intervention?
The Education Endowment Foundation recommends intervention selection be guided by pupil assessment. You may also choose to overlay this with pupils who are eligible for Pupil Premium, as you will be able to use this funding, as well as Recovery Premium and National Tutoring Programme funding, to support these pupils. The majority of schools who use Third Space Learning as their chosen maths intervention programme choose pupils eligible for Pupil Premium who have been most impacted by school closures, are at risk of not meeting age related expectations or their target GCSE grade, or who simply need a confidence boost.
What do schools need to consider then implementing maths interventions?
Schools will need to consider how much time the intervention will take from the staff member leading the intervention, and whether this will detract from whole class teaching or overload their workload. It's important to also factor in the cost of the intervention programme and if this is the best use of school funds. At Third Space Learning, we work closely with each school to ensure the programme eases the pressure, both in terms of workload and budgets.
What does Ofsted say about maths interventions?
Ofsted says that teachers and leaders should strike a balance between helping pupils keep up in maths and 'reactive' approaches to help pupils who have fallen behind, like interventions.
Does Third Space Learning offer English or science intervention programmes?
No, all Third Space Learning tutors are STEM graduates and undergraduates, and only provide maths tutoring. All tutor training and CPD, as well as all tutoring lesson content, has been developed by maths specialists, including former maths teachers. By focusing specifically on maths, we attract tutors with an exceptional skill level and can dedicate our time to creating the best possible maths intervention programme for schools.
How much do Third Space Learning intervention programmes cost?
Pricing is calculated according to the number of pupils you'd like to sign up, so it varies by school. Third Space Learning is the most affordable DfE-approved one to one tutoring provider and works out at 56% cheaper than the average cost of one to one tutoring.
What's included in the price?
One headset for each pupil, initial and ongoing diagnostic assessments, on-demand progress reports and our extensive library of ready-to-use maths resources and CPD.
Looking for something else?
To discover more about in school tutoring with Third Space Learning follow these links:
- Online maths tuition from specialist tutors
- One to one tuition that builds confidence
- Tried and trusted maths tuition targeted at each student's gaps