Evaluation of Zippy’s Friends for improving socio-emotional and academic outcomes in 6-7 year olds: Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial and process evaluation

Zippy’s Friends is a social and emotional learning programme currently delivered in UK primary schools as well as across 30 countries worldwide. It aims to develop coping and social skills among five to seven year old pupils. It typically runs over the course of one school year, and is designed to be delivered by the class teacher on a whole-class basis. This protocol details the methodology underpinning the first large-scale, rigorous evaluation of the programme in a UK context, consisting of a cluster randomised controlled trial and process evaluation. It will assess the impact of the programme on both socio-emotional and academic outcomes, and is the first evaluation to include a direct assessment of academic attainment.