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Who can take part?

This programme is open to all state-funded primary schools in England.

Each school will nominate a maths lead and one other participant to participate in Work Group sessions and lead developments back in school. These participants must be empowered by the headteacher to implement and evaluate changes to school policies and practices.

NB: Schools can only take part in this particular Work Group once. However, there are other Work Groups available to help you implement the approach in your school. Please talk to us about your options.

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What is involved?

Work Groups meet regularly to plan, observe and discuss teaching for mastery. In between meetings, teachers explore mastery approaches in their own classrooms and across their school. Headteacher involvement is essential, particularly during school visits and key Work Group sessions.

Lead participants will attend six half-termly, Work Groups each year, led by a Mastery Specialist, and be released from their usual duties to engage in regular school visits across 2025/26 and 2026/27.

Support is provided from a local classroom-based Mastery Specialist who leads the group. This model of professional development involves hands-on learning and peer-to-peer support. It is evidence-based and designed to support substantial long-term change.

Each term, the Mastery Specialist will visit schools to support leaders in developing systems that establish and embed teaching for mastery.

Work Groups will focus on:

• the ‘Five Catalysts for Change’;
• ‘The Five Big Ideas’;
• ‘The Essence of Mathematics Teaching for Mastery’;
• the EEF Implementation Guide; and the latest Ofsted maths subject report.

Participants will also explore key resources, including the NCETM’s Primary Mastery PD Materials, Curriculum Prioritisation Materials, and the 2020 DfE Maths Guidance, and consider how to use them effectively. Mixed-age schools will have the opportunity to trial planning materials for Y3/4 and Y5/6.

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What are the intended outcomes?

Pupil outcomes

Pupils will:

• demonstrate improved learning, evidenced by internal school data and teacher reflections
• demonstrate an improved mathematical mindset and enjoy learning the subject.

Practice development

Participants, with their school leaders, will actively enable all teachers in their school to:

• implement aspects of the ‘Catalysts for Change’, guided by identified priorities
• put the shared vision for maths into practice, actively promoting mathematical mindsets in pupils and staff
• develop the ability to design, teach, and reflect on effective lessons that reflect fidelity to teaching for mastery, with the focus on improving pupil outcomes.

Professional learning

Participants, with their school leaders, will:

• explore and evaluate their current systems, cultures and professional development structures
• deepen their understanding of how the ‘Catalysts for Change’ underpin the development of teaching for mastery, and how to implement these principles and pedagogies across school
• enhance their maths subject knowledge with an emphasis on progression within key areas of maths.

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What is the cost?

The Primary Teaching for Mastery Introductory Work Group is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.