The Impact of Shine GPS: Targeted Interventions for Primary

Our latest study focuses on the impact of Shine GPS: Targeted Interventions for Primary in five schools between January and April of 2025.

Shine GPS interventions are specifically targeted at granular learning objectives in Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling where pupils have not reached the expected level in their New GaPS standardised assessments . 

Key Findings

• On average, pupils taking part in Shine GPS interventions improved on their test scores in standardised GPS assessments, allowing some to transition to higher performance indicator bands.

• Teachers in the study reported that the learning during Shine GPS interventions positively impacted classroom learning.

• Intervention group pupils’ improvement in standardised scores outpaced the average improvement seen in their non-intervention-group classmates – providing a pathway to closing the attainment gap.

• Pupils who received Shine GPS interventions tended to improve on their growth trajectory compared to the year prior – catching up to or sometimes even exceeding the growth trajectory of their classmates.

• The proportion of pupils on a ‘low growth’ trajectory more than halved from 51% to 22% in the year they received the interventions.

• Four out of five schools said the Shine interventions saved planning time.

• All schools said that pupils enjoyed the Shine GPS interventions and that teachers saw increased confidence in learning.

This study analyses the data from two end-of term New GaPS standardised assessments before and after Shine GPS interventions took place (autumn 2024 and spring 2025). In total 9 classes (one Year 4, five Year 5, and three Year 6 groups) were formed for the trial by the five schools combined.

The growth in attainment between these two points was also compared with the growth the same pupils exhibited one year prior between the same end-of-term assessment periods (autumn 2023 and spring 2024) and interviews with teachers and TAs provided additional evidence of the efficacy of the interventions.