Mathematics
“Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.”
National Curriculum in England: Mathematics Programmes of Study
Much of the support for mathematics is provided by the Maths Hub Programme. In Bradford this is co-ordinated by the West Yorkshire Maths Hub led by Trinity Academy in Halifax. They are supported by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).
The aims of the NCETM are to raise levels of achievement in maths, and to increase appreciation of the power and wonder of maths, across the school, sixth form college and further education system.
The Maths Hubs Programme brings together mathematics education professionals in a collaborative national network of 40 hubs, each locally led by an outstanding school or college, to develop and spread excellent practice, for the benefit of all pupils and students.
In the news:
- School leaders urged to help shape Maths Hub offer
- Secondary Teaching for Maths Mastery Development Programme
Mastery Readiness Work Groups (primary only)
Delivered by West Yorkshire Maths Hub, this two/three terms long free Work Group is for schools not yet in a position to benefit fully from the Development Work Groups and ensures that they are ready to participate fully the following year.
Primary teaching for mastery development work groups
Delivered by West Yorkshire Maths Hub, this is the funded first year in a two year-long free Work Group in which primary schools receive training, support and resources to help them experience, introduce, and implement teaching for mastery approaches within their maths provision. After the first year, schools continue to receive support to embed approaches fully across the school. Recruitment windows open in the Summer Term for Work Groups starting from September.
Secondary teaching for mastery development work groups
Delivered by West Yorkshire Maths Hub, this is the funded first year in a two year-long free Work Group in which secondary schools receive training, support and resources to help them experience, introduce, and implement teaching for mastery approaches within their maths provision. After the first year, schools continue to receive support to embed approaches fully across the maths department. Recruitment windows open in the Summer Term for Work Groups starting from September.
Work groups
Work Groups are run by teachers and for teachers to enable practice to be developed shared and embedded. These are collaborative Work Groups delivered over several sessions throughout the year. West Yorkshire Maths Hub runs several Work Groups for all phases throughout the year. The confirmed programme for 2020-21 will be released in the summer term 2020. Register your interest with the West Yorkshire Maths Hub.
Shanghai Exchange Programme
West Yorkshire Maths Hub's Teaching for Mastery specialists are offered the opportunity to apply to visit China in the Autumn term where they visit schools and observe Chinese maths teachers. A group of Chinese teachers visit England in the spring term and our specialists’ schools host these teachers to give showcase lessons. These showcase lessons are open for anyone to observe. Register your interest with the West Yorkshire Maths Hub.
Increase participation in advanced maths (post-16)
The advanced mathematics support programme provides resources and support to improve teaching and increase participation in post-16 maths education. The programme is available to all state-funded schools and colleges in England. Additional support is available for schools and colleges in priority areas, including Bradford.
14-19 funding: Advance Maths Premium
Funding for additional students studying specified level 3 maths qualifications. All schools, colleges and other providers receiving a 16 to 19 Study Programme allocation from the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and delivering eligible level 3 maths qualifications will be eligible for the premium. The premium is paid at a rate of £600 per year per additional student for one or 2 years, depending on the type and size of qualification studied.
Joint Mathematical Council of the United Kingdom (JMC)
The Council state:
The Joint Mathematical Council of the United Kingdom (JMC) was first formed in 1962 and became a charitable organisation in 2017.
JMC serves as a forum for discussion between its member bodies and for making representations to government and other bodies and responses to their enquiries, as well as running the British Congress of Mathematics Education and undertaking other initiatives. It is concerned with all aspects of mathematics education at all levels from foundation stage to higher education.
There are twenty-two participating bodies represented on the council covering many aspects of mathematics and mathematical education. Links to all these organisations, including membership details where appropriate, may be found on the home page of the JMC website.
MMSA, the Meeting of Mathematical Subject Associations, comprises the classroom-facing organisations within JMC.
Wider membership of JMC is made up from government departments and agencies from the four UK jurisdictions.