Mastery Readiness

The Mastery Readiness Programme is for schools that want to adopt teaching for mastery in maths, but would benefit from a staged approach.

Mastery Readiness for new groups will start in September 2021. Click here for the information and application form.

An evaluation report of the impact of the work so far can be found here.

Here’s some feedback from Mastery Readiness this year:  What have you learnt?

“So much.  I learnt more about my role as a (maths) co-ordinator and what to look at in my school in order to make improvements.  I learnt more about the mastery curriculum and how I can implement that into my school (what that looks like/what that means).  I learnt how to create effective medium-term plans and how to use stem sentences within lessons and I gained many new ideas for teaching in the classroom both from other teachers on the course and the PD Lead.”

Schools that are successful in implementing sustained and meaningful change through teaching for mastery have key foundations already in place.

These key foundations include:

  • shared vision and culture around the importance of maths
  • a belief that every child can achieve highly in maths
  • a positive mindset towards maths amongst all staff
  • good maths subject knowledge amongst teachers and TAs
  • systems that maximise learning, such as timetabling, intervention, curriculum and pedagogical approaches
  • teaching of arithmetical proficiency for all children, to support mathematical fluency by reducing cognitive load
  • ongoing staff development, which is valued by all staff and senior leaders.

The Mastery Readiness Programme offers support and development in these areas.

Mastery Readiness Leads

These expert practitioners work as part of Maths Hubs leadership teams. They are experienced in school improvement work, as well as teaching for mastery. Working with the headteacher and maths lead, they construct a bespoke programme for each school’s needs.

This will usually include:

  • around six support visits to the school from the Mastery Readiness Lead
  • regular development workshops (for the maths lead, one other teacher and sometimes also the head) with other local schools on the programme.

Completing the Mastery Readiness Programme usually takes a year. After this, schools are prioritised for a place on the high-profile Teaching for Mastery Programme with their Maths Hub. As part of this programme, they benefit from two further years of support.

Funding

There is no charge for participation in this programme. However, schools must ensure that staff are released to engage in the workshops and school visits, and that the headteacher attends events where appropriate.

Visit the NCETM website for more information.