Mastering Number
This project aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2.
The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future.
Who can take part?
Lead participants from Work Group schools will be three teachers – one each from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – known as Lead Teachers. Some support will also be given to subject leaders and headteachers. Where appropriate, Lead Teachers are expected to support the other teachers in their year group.
This programme and its Work Groups are open to all schools that have not yet engaged with the Mastering Number Programme.
What is involved?
This programme focuses on the key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1. Participating schools will receive central training (online and face-to-face) and a wealth of pupil-facing resources.
The resources available provide teaching materials for four short sessions each week, aimed at developing children’s fluency and flexibility with number. Lead Teachers in schools will also contribute to an online community to share practice and engage in critical reflection.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils will develop and demonstrate good number sense
- You will develop a secure understanding of how to build firm mathematical foundations
- You will work to develop intentional teaching strategies focused on developing fluency in calculation and number sense for all children
- You will develop understanding and use of appropriate manipulatives to support your teaching of mathematical structures
What is the cost?
The Mastering Number Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools
Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Programme - Early Years
Who can take part?
These programmes are designed for individuals who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths to three- to five-year-olds. This may be particularly relevant for teachers that have moved phases or have not received maths-specific training.
What is involved?
This programme is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners teaching and supporting the learning of early maths.
There are two types of SKTM Early Years pathways: Pathway One: Number Patterns and Structures and Pathway Two: Pattern, Shape, Space and Measures. Each pathway is the equivalent of a four-day programme and has three core elements, three associated pedagogy sessions, and a task to support the transition from theory to practice. There is also a final core unit that aims to review quality provision.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils will demonstrate a positive attitude towards maths, being willing to have a go, persevere, and share their mathematical ideas
- You will review the mathematical learning opportunities and pedagogical approaches across your wider provision
- You will evaluate and enhance the opportunities to promote mathematical learning in all areas of provision
What is the cost?
The SKTM Early Years Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Programme - Primary Early Career Teacher
Who can take part?
Phase 1 Communities in this project are for those identified as Early Career Teachers – teachers in their first or second year of teaching. Phase 2 Communities are for those in the early part of their careers. They will have engaged with Phase 1 before engaging with this phase.
What is involved?
Two maths-specific subject knowledge projects are available to support primary Early Career Teachers (ECTs) – one is for ECTs who have not yet participated in this project and one is for those who participated in 2021/22. Both projects offer high-quality subject knowledge and pedagogy maths support for ECTs, recognising the requirements of the ECF.
Communities of ECTs will be formed in these projects, allowing for collaboration and practice-sharing. In both projects, teachers will design effective learning and teaching in maths, and review and analyse their practice.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils will be seen to elaborate when responding to questions, showing that their answer stems from a secure understanding
- You will identify essential concepts, knowledge, skills within the topic area and provide opportunity for all pupils to learn and master these critical components
- You will develop an understanding of approaches to assess pupils’ prior learning, so that learning sequences are planned to take this into account
What is the cost?
The SKTM Primary Early Career Teachers Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Programme - Teacher
Who can take part?
These programmes are designed for primary teachers who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths. This may be particularly relevant for teachers that have moved phases or have not received maths-specific training.
What is involved?
This project is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners teaching and supporting the learning of primary maths.
There are two pathways: Number and Spatial Reasoning. Each pathway consists of several core units and looks at specific topics as well as policy and practice. Exploration of modules in these pathways will take place during the course of the academic year, over the equivalent of four days. Participants in the programme may wish to follow one pathway this year, and the other pathway next year.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils will demonstrate a positive attitude towards maths, being willing to have a go, persevere, and share their mathematical ideas
- Your pupils will be able to explain their maths and their mathematical thinking using appropriate language
- You will review your practice as a result of the sessions and make practice-specific adaptations to impact on pupil outcomes
- You will enhance your maths subject knowledge with an emphasis on the key structures in each mathematical area covered
What is the cost?
The SKTM Primary Teachers Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Programme - Teaching Assistant
Who can take part?
These programmes are designed for primary teaching assistants who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths. This may be particularly relevant for new TAs or TAs that have not received maths-specific training.
What is involved?
This project is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners teaching and supporting the learning of primary maths.
It utilises primary teaching assistant-specific materials and focuses on the following mathematical areas: What is effective in the learning and teaching of mathematics?; Number sense (part 1); Number sense (part 2); Additive reasoning; Multiplicative reasoning; Fractions. The modules are each designed to last three to four hours, but may last longer if delivered online. This programme will take place across the equivalent of four days.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils will demonstrate a positive attitude towards maths, being willing to have a go, persevere, and share their mathematical ideas
- You will review your practice as a result of the sessions and make specific adaptations to support the pupils you are working with
- You will understand the key elements that form number sense, forms of addition and subtraction, forms of multiplication and division, and forms of fractions, including precise language, structures and representations
What is the cost?
The SKTM Primary Teaching Assistants Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
Y5 - 8 Continuity
Who can take part?
This project is for both primary and secondary schools. It may be particularly suitable for linked ‘families’ of schools: primary, secondary, etc. A ‘family’ could be a secondary school and their associated (feeder) primary schools or groups of schools from within a MAT. Lead participants should be teachers of Years 5-8, ideally with some responsibility for curriculum development.
What is involved?
Work Groups in this project focus on curriculum and pedagogical continuity over Years 5 to 8. Participants will explore a selection of high-quality resources: Checkpoints, Multiplicative Reasoning and Algebraic Thinking materials.
A lesson study approach is encouraged where all participants focus on a particular aspect of the maths curriculum and work collaboratively to develop this in their schools. Cross-phase classroom observation and discussion of practice are encouraged wherever possible.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils in KS2 and KS3 will demonstrate a positive attitude to maths
- You will make common use of approaches, representations and language across phases
- You will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the curriculum across KS2 and KS3 and the expectations of pupils at the end of each Key Stage
- You and your cross-phase colleagues will collaborate on issues of curriculum and pedagogy as a normal part of your schools’ transition practice
What is the cost?
The Years 5-8 Continuity project is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.