EEF trial of the Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM Programme

Thank you for your interest in the EEF trial of the NCETM’s much-needed programme, Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM. More information about the programme can be found on the project webpage, and more about what being part of an EEF trial involves is also available. You might also be interested to read this blog post by Dr Jen Shearman, the NCETM's Director for Evaluation and Impact, on why randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the 'gold standard' of evaluation.

On this page you’ll find the detail of two information events, and a list of frequently-asked questions (FAQs). If you would like further information, please contact your local Maths Hub.

Information events

Learn more about the EEF trial of Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM Programme.

Join Paul Rowlandson, the project lead for the Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM, as well as the NCETM's Director for School and Professional Development, Nicola Trubridge, to learn more about the EEF trial of the programme. 

In these information sessions, Paul will outline the SKTM programme including giving an overview of the materials and the intended outcomes. Then Nic will share the internal evidence gathered so far showing that this SKTM makes a difference to the work of non-specialist teachers and the KS3 students they work with, and talk through the evaluation requirements for SKTM trial schools.

• Register to join Paul and Nicola on Thursday 8 May, 1545-1630
• Register to join Paul and Nicola on Monday 2 June, 1545-1630

FAQs

Q) Can we just join the ‘normal’ programme rather than be part of a trial?
A) If your local Maths Hub is taking part in a trial, then there is not a 'normal' option. Find out whether your hub is involved. 

Q) Is there an incentive for being in a trial?
A) Yes. There are more details about the incentives on the school information sheets available on the EEF website or from your local Maths Hub.

Q) My school is part of a MAT, can we still join?
A) Yes. Contact your local Maths Hub.

Q) Our school is a PRU - can we be part of the trial?
A) No. Please see the list of eligibility criteria.

Q) If we join the trial, when will we find out if we are in the intervention or control group?
A) For the SKTM trial, this will happen in September.

Q) Last year, we had teachers on cohorts starting at different times of the year. Is this possible again in 2025/26?
A) No. For 2025/26, all cohorts will start in late September or early October.

Q) We have a non-specialist teacher we'd like to be on the programme but they only teach Year 7 classes. Can they still join?
A) No. If your local hub is part of the trial for 2025/26, then the non-specialist teacher will need to be timetabled for September onwards to teach one Year 8 class (for at least 50% of the class's lessons).

Q) We have two teachers who would like to join the programme. Is this possible?
A) Yes. In the first instance, the school is recruited to the trial. You will be asked to identify the teacher who will be the trial participant and engage with the evaluation activities. Additional teachers can also be added but they will not be part of the trial.