New Publication - June 2010
'Devising a First Steps Strategy' - Encouraging the self-evaluation of study support provision in schools and settings - produced by Extended Services, Stoke-on-Trent
Download your copy [PDF]
Impact Guides
These guides are intended for both the general reader and more experienced researcher. They explain what is meant by measuring the impact of Study Support and Extended Services on learners and organisations. They acknowledge that impact is wide ranging and as such can relate to both qualitative and quantitative outcomes. They aim to provide clear and practical guidance from forming the initial research questions through to data collection, interpretation and analysis and finally reporting outcomes. These guides are designed to stand alone, however, training and consultancy is available to support centres, clusters and organisations to either develop their ability to measure or report impact, or to undertake more bespoke projects.
There are seven guides available to download [PDF]
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Getting started
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Data collection
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Drawing conclusions
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Sample size and control groups
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Statistics and presentation
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Qualitative data and survey
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Strategy guide
'A Safe Place to Be' - A guide for secondary schools, local authorities and other agencies in ensuring quality provision
Now available to download [PDF]
'The Impact of Study Support' - East Midlands Regional Collaborative Case Studies
Download a copy here [PDF]
'The Impact of Out of School Hours Learning - Wigan Council (2010)
Download a copy here [PDF]
External Providers Checklist - A local authority guide that considers safeguarding aimed at organisations wishing to deliver activities for children and young people outside normal school hours.
Download the External Providers Leaflet [PDF] and accompanying check list forms here [MS word]
Research Studies
The Impact of Out of School Hours Learning in Enfield 2009
Download a copy of the booklet here [PDF]
East's Best - A good practice guide about Study Suppprt and Out of Hours learning in the East of England.
Download a copy of the booklet here [PDF]
Evaluating Study Support: Current Approaches in Local Authorities and Schools (Published February 2008)
Download a copy of the booklet here [PDF]
The purpose of this document is to:
a) Summarise the research evidence on the effectiveness of Study Support in raising standards of attainment and improving pupils' attitudes and attendance
b) Draw together some principles for effective monitoring and evaluation
c) Illustrate the ways in which schools and local authorities are monitoring and evaluating the impact of Study Support and give examples of the impact that they are finding
To order a hard copy please call on 01892 507657
The Impact of Study Support Research Project
In June 2001 the Study Support National Evaluation and Development Programme published findings of the three-year study of over 9,000 students into the effectiveness of study support. Quantitative evidence proves that students who participate achieve on average three and a half grades or one more A-C GCSE pass than students of equal ability who do not participate. Self-esteem, motivation, attitudes to school and attendance were also shown to be positively affected by study support.
Copies of the full report or research brief (RR/RB 273) are available from the DCSF Publications Department on 0845 6022260.
Ongoing Research
QiSS has been funded by a consortium of Charitable Trusts and the Standards and Effectiveness Unit of the DCSF to carry out a three-year qualitative study into why study support is effective entitled "Re-engaging with Learning". The title indicates that the research is concerned with students who are disaffected and disengaged from learning.
The Trusts are:
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The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
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The Paul Hamlyn Foundation
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The Gulbenkian Foundation
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Sir John Cass's Foundation
This small scale but intensive study involves fifteen mixed secondary comprehensive schools. The Practitioners Report will be available soon. Quality in Study Support will continue to disseminate research findings through the QiSS News Network, website and seminars. Our study support development work with schools and other providers is based on good practice principles arising from in-depth research and experience. The QiSS Research Team has extensive experience in managing, delivering and evaluating study support and informal education.
Being out on a limb, it is good to have the opportunity of putting our work into a broader national context. I have learned a great deal about evaluation and other areas of project management (Study Support Worker, Lizard Outreach Trust, Cornwall)