Primary Teaching for Mastery (Introductory) Work Group

The Teaching for Mastery Programme is a professional development opportunity designed to support teachers like you to develop best practice in maths in your school. It is suitable for schools interested in implementing a teaching for mastery approach to maths.

In the video below our Assistant Maths Hub Lead, Lisa Bishop, shares further information about our Primary Teaching for Mastery (Introductory) Work Group.

What is involved?

This two-year programme is designed for primary schools that are new to teaching for mastery and want to build a strong foundation for long-term change.

Each school will nominate two participants to attend six Work Group sessions each year, led by an experienced Mastery Specialist. Participants will work with their school leaders to begin developing and implementing a shared vision for maths, with a focus on improving pupil understanding, promoting positive attitudes to maths, and developing consistent, high-quality teaching practices across the school. 

Schools will also receive three half-day bespoke schools visits, per year. 

What are the benefits?

Participating in the Work Group will provide the following benefits to participant schools:

• You will begin to develop a shared, whole-school vision for maths teaching
• You and your school will take practical steps towards implementing teaching for mastery approaches
• You will support staff to promote positive mathematical mindsets and pupil outcomes
• You and your school will work closely with a Mastery Specialist and other local schools to drive improvement
• You and your school will develop confidence in using high-quality resources and planning tools

Who can apply?

Primary schools in England that have not previously engaged in teaching for mastery. Schools must commit to the two-year programme, nominate two participants - typically the maths lead and one other - and ensure active headteacher involvement.

There are limited places so each Maths Hub will use set criteria to allocate spaces to this Work Group.  

In 2025/26 our Maths Hub will have two Work Groups, one will be based in Charnwood (Leicestershire) and the other will be based in East North Northamptonshire. 

What are the expectations?

Schools chosen to participate in the Work Group commit to the following expectations:

• The lead teachers will participate in the regular cross-school Work Group meetings with the Mastery Specialist and make changes to maths teaching in their own classroom initially and beyond by the end of the year
• The lead teachers will receive a minimum of ten (combined) days’ release time for development work including the above meetings
• The headteacher will meet with the Mastery Specialist and the Maths Hub’s leadership as well as working with the other Work Group school headteachers
• The school will introduce teaching for mastery approaches across the school and establish TRG professional development models to support teacher development
• The school will provide any reports required by the Maths Hub and participate in any evaluation processes required
• The school will continue to collaborate with the schools in the Work Group for the year 2025/26 and beyond.

Funding?

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