Evaluation of ASCENTS 121 Support for Science

We are evaluating ASCENTS 121 Support for Science.

About the study

We are evaluating ASCENTS 121 Support for Science, which pairs university STEM students with disadvantaged Year 11 students to provide one-to-one support in science subjects.

ASCENTS is designed and delivered by the University of Lincoln in collaboration with the University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, UCL Institute of Education, and University of York. The programme aims to improve GCSE science attainment of disadvantaged Year 11 pupils.

NatCen has been funded by EEF and the Wellcome Trust to conduct an independent evaluation of the programme. This will assess whether the programme has a positive impact on pupils’ GCSE attainment in science and if it leads pupils to pursue science at A Level. We also want to know what enables or hinders successful delivery; how the programme can be delivered more widely; perceived benefits to pupils, university mentors and teachers; and the cost of the programme per pupil.

If you have queries about ASCENTS 121 Support for Science, please contact Dr Rachael Sharpe at 01522 886211 or via email at rsharpe@lincoln.ac.uk.

If you have queries about the evaluation of ASCENTS, please contact the research team at ASCENTS@natcen.ac.uk or phone Berenice Scandone at 0207 549 7009.

Information for schools

Please refer to the timetable below for a guide to what taking part in this evaluation involves: 

Time  Evaluation Activity
April 2019
  • Schools sign Memorandum of Understanding
May/June 2019
  • Identifying eligible pupils
  • Sharing evaluation details with parents/carers and pupils
  • Obtaining permission from parents of eligible pupils to take part in programme 
  • Securely sharing pupil information with NatCen.
June 2019
  • Randomisation takes place
  • Informing pupils and parents who have been allocated to receive ASCENTS
September 2019
  • First school survey (online)
  • First pupil survey (paper-based)
January to April 2020
  • School visits to observe ASCENTS sessions
  • Interviews with science teachers
  • Pupil group discussion
April/May 2020
  • Second pupil survey (paper-based)
June 2020
  • Second school survey (online)

Information for mentors

Please refer to the timetable below for a guide to what taking part in this evaluation involves:

Time Evaluation activity
May/June 2019
  • Observation of mentor training sessions
  • Mentor first survey
January to April 2020
  • School visits to observe ASCENTS sessions
June 2020
  • Mentor second survey
One year after graduation
  • Mentor follow-up survey
2024
  • Data collection from Initial Teacher Training Performance Profiles and School Workforce Census

 

Who are NatCen?

Read more

Our pledge to you

We respect your wishes

Taking part is completely up to you. Your decision will have no consequences and you are free to withdraw from the project at any time. 

We answer your questions

The research team will be happy to answer any questions you have about the study which aren’t covered here.

We guard your privacy

We will treat the information you give us in the strictest confidence under the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR. The results collected are used for research purposes only. You will never receive any junk mail as a result of speaking to us. We never pass on your details to other organisations for commercial purposes. It will not be possible to identify you in the results of this study and your personal information will not be shared with any third parties.

Frequently asked questions

How will the data from the evaluation be used?

The data from this study will be used by NatCen Social Research, who will prepare research reports for publication. No individual schools, pupils, teachers or will be identified. School and pupil data in the project will be analysed anonymously, and findings will be reported anonymously - so it will not be possible to identify individual pupils or schools. Pupils' data will be treated with the strictest confidence.

What about data and confidentiality?

Pupil data requested from the school will be collected and accessed by the research team at NatCen Social Research. They will be treated in the strictest confidence, and in line with the 1998 Data Protection Act.

Who are the National Centre for Social Research?

The National Centre for Social Research  is an independent social research organisation that carries out research on a wide range of social issues.

Who are The Education Endowment Foundation?

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent grant-making charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement, ensuring that children from all backgrounds can fulfil their potential and make the most of their talents.

The EEF have provided the funding for this project.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

If you have any questions about the evaluation of ASCENTS 121 Support for Science, please get in touch with the research team directly at ASCENTS@natcen.ac.uk or phone 0207 549 7009.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the evaluation of ASCENTS 121 Support for Science please get in touch with the research team directly at ASCENTS@natcen.ac.uk or phone Berenice Scandone at 0207 549 8505.

Privacy notice

Privacy notice: Evaluation of ASCENTS 121 Support for Science