Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Maths - Primary Teaching Assistants

This project is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners supporting the learning of primary maths. It supports primary teaching assistants who are supporting maths to develop specialist knowledge for teaching maths, to build on the primary maths National Curriculum, and to develop distinct pedagogical decision-making which will impact on their practice when supporting maths. 

The 2023 Ofsted report ‘Coordinating mathematical success: the mathematics subject report’ highlights that schools where maths provision is strongest ensure that other adults working with pupils, including teaching assistants and tutors, understand the curriculum and its implementation. Where these other adults do not have this shared understanding, the effectiveness of their support is limited.

What's involved?

The programme will focus on the following mathematical areas:

• What is effective in the learning and teaching of mathematics?
• Number sense (part 1)
• Number sense (part 2)
• Additive reasoning
• Multiplicative reasoning
• Fractions.

The programme will be delivered over the equivalent of four days, spread out over a minimum of two terms. This minimum duration allows 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.

What are the benefits?

• Your pupils will prositively engage with maths that challenges them
• You will identify common misconceptions and ways of addressing these to help pupils master important concepts
• You will develop on understanding of key principles and approaches associated with teaching for mastery. 

What are the expectations?

Participants and their schools must be able to commit to the full academic year’s programme. Alongside attendance to the sessions, participants will be asked to carry out follow up tasks back in their schools to enable practice transfer to the classroom. 

Who can apply?

This programme is designed for primary teaching assistants who are supporting maths, and who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths. It will be particularly relevant for new TAs or TAs that have not received maths-specific training.

What is the cost?

The SKTM – Teaching Assistant programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

When and where?

TBC

Mentor

All schools will need to identify a mentor for each of the TAs taking part in this SKTM programme. We know that TAs have better outcomes when they are well supported in school, and so the person nominated as mentor should be someone with whom the TA can have a conversation in between sessions. A line manager, the maths subject leader or the class teacher they work most closely with would be good candidates for the role.