We have developed this Work Group following independent priority requests from Telford and Wolverhampton LAs to support further development of EAL and maths. It will support all children in classes with a high proportion of EAL pupils to develop deep knowledge, understanding and confidence to be well prepared for the secondary mathematics curriculum.

 

Who will be leading the group?

Qamar Maqsood - EAL and Multicultural Development Team Leader for Telford Council, having previously being Secondary Head of Maths.

Sandeep Vashisht - Primary Maths Lead for Wolverhampton Council and Accredited NCETM PD Lead, having been a Primary Specialist for SHaW Maths Hub.

The combination of Qamar’s expertise in leading EAL and maths PD, with Sandeep's knowledge of developments as a Primary Specialist will benefit both the Telford and Wolverhampton EAL and Primary Maths Work Groups

SHaW Maths Hub Assistant Maths Hub Lead Lou Hoskyns-Staples will support planning, providing additional expertise.

 

Who is it for?

Maths Leads and/or EAL Leads from schools with higher than average EAL intake.

 

What are the intended outcomes?

Professional learning

• Teachers will gain improved knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by EAL pupils
• Teachers will develop understanding of language structures, representations of the mathematics and making connections
• Teachers will better understand the needs of all pupils

Practice development

• Shared approaches to planning and delivery for lessons (and pre-teaching language) for EAL pupils

School/department policy/approaches

• Teachers involved in the work groups will share and disseminate good practice within their own schools
• Shared policies on aspects of the teaching of mathematics for EAL pupils across schools
• Consistent approaches to give EAL pupils the best chance of making good progres

Whole school/wider regional approaches

• Findings can be shared more widely across the region and beyond with support of LADs

Pupil outcomes

• Improved confidence and engagement of EAL pupils
• Improved access to problem solving
• Improved ability with written reasoning
• All pupils develop more precise mathematical vocabulary

 

What will it involve?

Four Afternoon workshops (all 1.15-3.30pm) with all activity will be underpinned by the principles of:

• language structures
• representations of the mathematics 
• making connections

Workshop 1 - online - Tuesday 25th Jan – What are some of the challenges faced by EAL learners in relation to mathematics? 

Recognition of EAL pupils’ experiences of number symbols, operations and different calculation strategies. Strategies for optimising cognitive load so that learning is maximised.   

School based task

Workshop 2 - online - Tuesday 8th March - Making Connections

Revealing the structure of mathematics, making connections, generalisations and links through effective use of representations, including language (stem sentences).

School based task

Workshop 3 - online - Tuesday 24th May - Accessing Problem Solving and Reasoning

Language development structures extended to focus on word level, sentence level and text level to support deep understanding and improved access to problem solving and reasoning.  A focus on pre-teaching as an effective strategy for supporting EAL learners.

School based task

Workshop 4 - Online  - Tuesday 5th July - Subject Leadership

Developing policies and practice to lead and support colleagues from EY to Year 6. Considering school structures to support pre-teaching with a specific focus on relevant language which the children may not have heard before. A focus on developing oracy in the classroom.

What is the cost?

Free