BBO Maths hub latest news

The deadline is approaching to apply for one of five programmes offered by the NCTEM and Maths Hubs designed to develop teachers as experts in teaching for mastery and the leadership of professional development.

What do the programmes involve?

All the programmes are designed to develop teachers as local leaders of mathematics education (LLME), who lead various strands of activity of their Maths Hub at a local level. The Primary Mastery Specialist Programme is now in its tenth year, and the Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme is in its ninth year; the programme to develop Further Education Mastery Specialists is entering its second year in 2024.

All Mastery Specialists are classroom-based practitioners who develop teaching for mastery in their own classrooms and go on to lead Work Groups to support other schools or colleges and their teachers locally. Professional Development Leads and School Development Leads are expert teachers of maths who have responsibility for maths-specific professional development beyond their own school.

How can you apply?

See the links below to visit the webpage of the programme you are interested in applying for and download and read the information document. When you have secured the support of your headteacher/senior leader, complete the online application form.

The closing date for applications is Friday 29 March at 5pm so don’t delay - get your application in soon!

Mastering Number applications for Autumn 2024 Close on 29 March

Mastering number has proved to be an extremely popular project since it started in 2021. It aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2.

The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future.

Who can take part?

Lead participants from work group schools will be three teachers – one each from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – known as lead teachers. Some support will also be given to subject leaders and headteachers. Where appropriate, Lead Teachers are expected to support the other teachers in their year group. This programme and its work groups are open to all schools that have not yet engaged with the mastering number programme.

What is involved?

This programme focuses on the key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1. Participating schools will receive central training (online) and a wealth of pupil-facing resources. There is an expectation that schools will provide a daily teaching session for all children of 10 to 15 minutes, in addition to their normal maths lesson.

Lead Teachers in schools will also contribute to an online community to share practice and engage in critical reflection.

What will you learn?

Your pupils will be able to clearly communicate their mathematical ideas
You will develop a secure understanding of how to build firm mathematical foundations
You will work to develop intentional teaching strategies focused on developing fluency in calculation and number sense for all children
You will develop understanding and use of appropriate manipulatives to support your teaching of mathematical structures

What is the cost?

The mastering number programme is fully funded by the maths hubs Programme so is free to participating schools. Schools taking part in the September 2024 start cohort of this programme may receive physical rekenreks prior to the start of the programme subject to availability from the DfE. Digital rekenreks are freely available online.

What should you do next?

There are a limited number of places still available to join in 2024/25 and the closing date is 29 March so don’t delay, click here to submit your application now.

Applications open to join the teaching for mastery – development project in 2024/25

Every year, the Maths Hub looks to engage schools that have not yet begun the teaching for mastery journey in the project, and we are delighted to announce that applications have now opened to take part in 2024/25. The Teaching for Mastery Programme is a professional development opportunity designed to support teachers in state-funded schools to develop best practice in maths in your school.

It is suitable for schools interested in implementing a teaching for mastery approach to maths. Mastering maths means pupils of all ages acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. The phrase ‘teaching for mastery’ describes the elements of classroom practice and school organisation that combine to give pupils the best chances of mastering maths.

Achieving mastery means acquiring a solid enough understanding of the maths that’s been taught to enable pupils to move on to more advanced material. There is a wealth of information about Mastery on the NCETM website.

To find out more about how your school can get involved in this fully funded project in 2024/25, head to the relevant page on our website using the links below:

For primary schools that are not quite ready to join the project yet, we also have the mastery readiness programme which will prepare for implementing a teaching for mastery approach.

Find out more and apply here.

Work groups and opportunities for 2024-2025

As most of our Work Groups are now up and running this year, we invite you to either apply for a place on programmes currently accepting applications or register your interest in our projects for the next academic year via our website. You will then be contacted with further information as soon as these are available. Visit the Projects page of our website. to find the work group you are interested in and either click to book or register your interest.

Alternatively, contact us at info@bbomathshub.org.uk to discuss the best programme for you and your department.

All work groups are free. We hope that these opportunities are of interest and look forward to working with you soon. The BBO Maths Hub