The Value of Dedicated Maths Support groups
Why specialist help matters
Jocelyn Mayo
9/1/20251 min read
Why Dedicated Maths Support Groups Outperform General Classroom Assistance
As the new academic year begins, schools are evaluating how best to support learners who struggle with maths. While general classroom assistance is valuable, evidence shows that dedicated, structured support groups are more effective in addressing specific learning gaps.
Research Insights from the Education Endowment Fund
Small Group Tuition: The EEF’s Teaching and Learning Toolkit indicates that small group tuition can lead to +3 months’ progress in mathematics, especially when sessions are frequent and last up to an hour over about 10 weeks. This approach allows for targeted teaching that addresses individual learners’ needs.
Targeted Interventions: The EEF emphasizes that interventions must be closely matched to current barriers to learning. A maths intervention, for example, is likely to have far greater impact if it addresses the particular barrier to maths faced by a child (e.g., number sense, calculation fluency, or problem-solving skills), rather than focusing on maths ‘in general’
Teaching Assistant Interventions: While teaching assistants can support learning, their impact is generally greater when they are deployed in targeted, small group settings with clear objectives. This focused approach allows for more effective use of time and resources.
Why Structured Support Groups are effective:-
Focused Learning: Tailored sessions address specific knowledge gaps, ensuring that learners receive the support they need to progress.
Increased Engagement: Smaller groups allow for more interaction, fostering a supportive environment where learners feel comfortable to ask questions and make mistakes.
Enhanced Confidence: As learners experience success in a focused setting, their confidence in their mathematical abilities grows, leading to improved outcomes.
Efficient Use of Resources: By concentrating efforts on learners who need it most, schools can maximize the impact of their support staff and resources.
By implementing dedicated, structured maths support groups learners’ specific needs can be addressed effectively. This approach not only enhances mathematical understanding but also builds learners’ confidence and motivation.
Reference:
Education Endowment Foundation. (n.d.). Small group tuition. Retrieved from https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/small-group-tuition
