Workshop Dates:

Workshop 1: Monday 29th January 2024 0930-1500 - Herefordshire Group Training Centre

Workshop 2: Monday 18th March 2024 0930-1500 - Herefordshire Group Training Centre

Workshop 3: Monday 17th June 2024 0930-1500 - Venue to be confirmed

When booking, please note the dates and times in your diary, and submit your cover request in school.

It has long been recognised that maths teaching is enhanced when the teachers are confident about the subject matter. Shulman (1986) and Ball (2008) identified specialist knowledge that teachers of maths uniquely need. We view specialist knowledge as a blend of subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge.

This programme supports primary teachers to develop specialist knowledge for teaching maths, building on the primary maths National Curriculum to develop distinct pedagogical decision-making which impacts on classroom practice.

The programme is aligned with an overall Teaching for Mastery Programme designed to develop maths teaching in schools, and would be highly appropriate for teachers working in a school that is actively committed to the Teaching for Mastery Programme. This successful programme is now in its seventh year.

The Primary Teachers SKTM programme consists of the equivalent of 4 days, spread out over a minimum of two terms to allow participants time to develop practice and evaluate the impact of adaptations made. Professional learning and practice development continue throughout the period of the programme, with participants implementing new ideas into their daily practice. 

Who will be leading the group?

Jo Makin-Isherwood

Jo has been Primary Teaching for Mastery Lead for CODE Maths Hub, progressing as an Accredited NCETM PD Lead and Primary Specialist. She worked with Early Years, KS1 and KS2 classes, including mixed age classes, before becoming Maths Subject lead and Senior Leader, including extensive SEND experience.

Who is it for?

These SKTM programmes are designed for teachers who would like to further develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths. They will be particularly relevant for teachers that have moved phases or teachers that have not received maths-specific training. 

If you are an ECT we would recommend the ECT Work Groups rather than this Work Group.  Please see link to the ECT Work Group: Hereford and Telford

What are the intended outcomes?

Pupil outcomes

Pupils will:

• have greater exposure to mathematical representations and structures and will start to be seen to use these independently in their work
• be able to explain their maths and their mathematical thinking using appropriate language
• demonstrate a positive attitude towards maths, being willing to have a go, persevere, and share their mathematical ideas.

Practice development:

• Teachers will review their practice as a result of the sessions and make specific adaptations to impact on pupil outcomes.

Professional learning

Teachers will enhance their maths subject knowledge with an emphasis on the key structures in each mathematical area covered e.g.

• understand the key elements that form number sense, including precise language, structures and representations
• understand the forms of addition and subtraction, including precise language, structures and representations
• understand the forms of multiplication and division, including precise language, structures and representations
• understand the forms of fractions, including precise language, structures and representations.

What will it involve?

Research and evidence are used to inform practice. Participants are encouraged to share these more widely in schools to support discussion on current policies and approaches.

All participants are expected to attend all workshops and complete school based tasks between the workshops. They will be asked to keep a reflection log for their own use and contribute to the national evaluation process.

As a result of this project, participants will not only be able to ‘do’ mathematics, but will also have the appropriate pedagogical knowledge to teach and support their pupils well. Participants will develop both their knowledge about maths and knowledge about the teaching of maths, developing better pedagogy and being aware of how pupils learn, and how to teach the content most effectively. Classroom practice will develop through participants’ engagement with school based tasks between workshops, trying out activities with pupils to promote understanding, reasoning and fluency

What is the cost?

Funded by DfE so participation is free for schools