This funding round is part of the EEF’s reinvigorated commissioning approach. Funding rounds now have particular topic foci and fund projects within selected themes under these topics. This is to ensure that we are focusing on funding projects to answer the most important questions as suggested by the existing evidence base, while also prioritising the areas that are likely to be most beneficial for socio-economically disadvantaged pupils.

This theme is being co-funded by XTX Markets who aim to support more students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to progress to degrees, PhDs, and highly skilled careers in mathematics.

Understanding and applying mathematical concepts is a crucial skill pupils must develop during secondary education. However, research by the Education Policy Institute shows that the attainment gap in mathematics worsens during secondary school. In 2022, the average grade for disadvantaged pupils was 3.6 compared to 5.1 for other pupils. This means disadvantaged pupils are, on average, not achieving the standard pass.

Recognising the importance of addressing this attainment gap, secondary mathematics is a priority theme for the EEF’s 2024 Research Agenda and Spring 2024 Grant-funding Round. The objective of the current funding is to support and evaluate programmes with the potential to improve secondary mathematics outcomes for pupils aged 11 – 16 (Key Stages 3 – 4) in England. We are interested in programmes that aim to increase pupil attainment in secondary mathematics, particularly for pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and high-attaining pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications must address at least one of the EEF priority areas and sub-themes outlined in the Guidance Notes provided below.

Please note that the Secondary Mathematics themed round is only open for Efficacy and Effectiveness projects.

For this funding round theme, we will fund programmes that are ready to be trialled under best possible conditions (Efficacy trial) and programmes that are already well evidenced, scaled, and ready to be trialled at a larger scale under everyday conditions (Effectiveness trial).

Please consult the Guidance Notes for Secondary Mathematics and use the decision tree (below) to determine whether your programme is ready to apply:

If you’ve answered mostly As, it might be that your programme is more suitable for Development.

If you’ve answered mostly Bs, it might be that your programme is more suitable for a Pilot.

If you’ve answered mostly Cs, use the Efficacy and Effectiveness application form.

Please find the Guidance Notes for the Secondary Mathematics in KS3‑4 funding here.