PSQM EEF Trial 2024

The Educational Endowment Foundation is funding an independent evaluation of the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) in selected regions across England. It is a fantastic opportunity for schools to be part of one of the largest funded research projects about primary science ever run in England and to take part in the PSQM professional learning programme without paying the usual fee.

The aim of the evaluation is to evaluate the impact of PSQM on pupils’ science attainment and science attitudes. The results of this research will make an important contribution to understanding what works in primary science leadership, teaching and learning.

• The evaluation is a random control trial
• 342 schools in selected areas will participate.
• 171 of the schools will be chosen at random to take part in PSQM, starting September 2024 and ending June 2025. This will be the intervention group.
• 171 will be in the control group and not take part in PSQM in 2024 or 2025.
• Outcome data will be collected from all schools in 2026 to find out the difference that PSQM has made.
• There will be no participation fee for the schools that take part in PSQM in 2024 – 5 and they will receive a £500 payment to thank them for participation in the data collection.
• There will be a £1000 payment for schools in the control group to thank them for participation in the data collection which they can use to pay to take part in PSQM in 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• Your school is eligible if it is a state funded school primary, junior or all-through school in one of the areas below. There are no strict geographical boundaries for this project, but teachers will need to be able to travel to one of these locations for training. There are limited places available.
• Your school must have a science subject leader.
• Your school must not have participated or been involved in the PSQM programme ever.
• Your school must not have mixed age groups in Key Stage 2.
• Your school must not be involved in any other EEF funded trial targeting pupils and teachers in science (in 2024/25).