New literacy programme to be trialled by 200 English schools
A promising new literacy programme for primary school pupils is to be trialled with support from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) over the coming months.
The literacy intervention project is called Abracadabra and is a 20-week intervention designed to develop literacy skills in Year 1 pupils aged five and six years old.
Under this scheme, teaching assistants are trained to deliver 15-minute sessions to small groups of pupils four times per week, with lessons designed around texts deemed suitable for early readers, and teaching focused on phonics, reading fluency and comprehension.
Two different versions of the programme will be assessed, with the first seeing pupils using an online platform to cover the content, while the second will be offline-only and will instead utilise resources such as magnetic letters and cards.
An EEF grant of £658,255 has been allocated to allow the programme to be tested in 200 English primary schools, with 9,000 Year 1 pupils set to be involved. The York Trials Unit will oversee the study, and will be looking to determine whether this intervention can produce positive results comparable to those from an earlier, smaller-scale study.
In this preliminary trial, both versions of Abracadabra were shown to have a positive impact on pupils' literacy results, although students taking part in the offline intervention achieved slightly more progress than those who used the online platform. Moreover, the impact for children eligible for free school meals and those with below-average pre-test outcomes was generally greater than average.
Coventry University and Nottingham Trent University are responsible for developing and leading the project, with an evaluation report scheduled to be published in autumn 2019.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Bedford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Bedford
Description
Education Tutor – Primary, Secondary, GCSE & SENDLocation: Bedford and surrounding areas Job Type: Flexible, Temporary, with opportunities for permanent employment Working Hours: Monday to Friday, dur
Reference
A83/Bedford
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Brackley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Education Tutor – Primary, Secondary, GCSE & SENDLocation: Brackley and nearby areas, Northamptonshire Job Type: Flexible, Temporary, with the possibility of permanent employment Working Hours: Monday
Reference
A82/Brackley
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Daventry
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Private Education Tutor – Primary, Secondary, GCSE & SENDLocation: Daventry and surrounding areas, Northamptonshire Job Type: Flexible, Temporary, with opportunities for permanent employment Working H
Reference
A81/Daventry
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Kettering
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Education Tutor – Primary, Secondary, GCSE & SENDLocation: Kettering and surrounding areas Job Type: Flexible, Temporary, with potential for permanent employment Working Hours: Monday to Friday, durin
Reference
A80/Kettering
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northampton
Description
Education Tutor – Primary, Secondary, GCSE & SENDLocation: Northampton and surrounding areas Job Type: Flexible, Temporary, with potential for permanent employment Working Hours: Monday to Friday, dur
Reference
A79/Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£14.25 - 15.75 per hour
Location free text
Burnley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Burnley
Description
SEND Teaching Assistant Burnley | Full-Time | Term Time Only Hours: 8:15am - 3:15pm, Monday to Friday Start Date: ASAP Contract: Long-term until the end of the academic year, with the potential to
Reference
SEND TA Burnley
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire East PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire East PrimarySalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Streatham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary
Location
Greater London
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant - Streatham Primary Schools Location: Streatham, South London Start Date: ASAP / Ongoing Contract: Full-Time | Long-TermSupportive and inclusive primary schools in Streatham
Reference
SEN Streatham
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Wimbledon
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary
Location
Greater London
Description
Experienced SEN Teaching Assistant Required - Wimbledon Location: Wimbledon, South West London Start Date: ASAP Contract: Full-Time | Long-TermAre you passionate about supporting children with add
Reference
SEN TA Wimbledon
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Tooting Bec
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary
Location
Greater London
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant Needed - Tooting Location: Tooting, South West London Start Date: ASAP Contract: Full-Time | Long-Term / OngoingAre you an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant looking for a re
Reference
SEN TA Tooting
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Oxford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Oxford
Description
Learning Support Assistants Wanted - Oxford Area ✨ Looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference?Teaching Personnel is currently recruiting Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) to
Reference
LSA _ OX
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
October marks Black History Month in the UK, giving schools an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities while encouraging meaningful conversati
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As ADHD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on neurodiversity, Teaching Personnel's Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how greater awareness and understandi
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job