Let’s Think Secondary Science: Evaluation report and executive summary

Let’s Think Secondary Science (LTSS) aims to develop students’ scientific reasoning by teaching them scientific principles such as categorisation, probability and experimentation LTSS was evaluated using a randomised controlled trial with over 8000 students in 53 schools. Schools were randomly allocated to deliver either the programme or their ‘business as usual’ science teaching. It should be considered an effectiveness trial, as it aimed to test a scalable intervention under realistic conditions in a large number of schools. The primary outcome measure was an age-appropriate science test based on a Key Stage 3 SATs paper, and the secondary measures were English and maths tests provided by GL Assessment. The process evaluation consisted of lesson observations, surveys and interviews with staff, and surveys and focus groups with students. The trial started in September 2013 and ended in July 2015.This evaluation provided no evidence that Let’s Think Secondary Science improved the science attainment of students by the end of Year 8.