Improving children’s engagement with Maths is a focus for many schools. Recently, there has been an increasing trend to run a series of maths ‘interventions’ for children who really struggle with the subject.

Each student is an individual, and this can be a challenge when trying to implement an intervention programme.

Ofsted concluded, in 2009, that a successful intervention process would be determined by how well students are targeted, assessed and monitored. The school’s ability to manage the programme could also a contributing factor.

Below, we offer some top tips for implementing an effective maths intervention.

Extra hours do not always help

It can often be more beneficial to examine why students are under-performing in maths, rather than simply expecting them to dedicate more hours to it. Issues such as poor numerical skills, bad attendance, difficulties with a teacher or exam anxiety could be contributing to a student’s performance in the classroom. This information is key to helping a student to boost their confidence in maths.

Focus on strengths and weaknesses

Maths is a complex subject that demands many component skills. Each student absorbs information differently and the intervention should therefore target their needs.

Student feedback is key

It is important to explain to students why they are being selected for an intervention programme. If they are not connected to the programme, or understand why it could be beneficial for them, it simply will not work.

Technological Input

Technology can be an asset when it comes to education. There are now many computer-based and online educational material that can record students’ work and can even modify how material is presented to a student depending on their needs and performance. These kinds of programmes can also adapt to the needs of each student, which reduces the time needed for a teacher’s input.

Parental Support

Parents can be supportive, once they understand the aims and details for the intervention, since they are able to reinforce the aims at home. They can send letters or emails home and hold informal meetings to help get disengaged parents on board. Their support can be crucial for helping a child to successfully complete an intervention.