Primary

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, 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.

Who can take part?

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.

What will you learn?

• 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

What is the cost?

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

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – Primary TfM Introductory Application 

One of the main aims of the Maths Hub network is to facilitate high-quality collaboration between schools. In previous years, we have mainly done this through our Primary Teaching for Mastery Sustaining Work Groups. We have now developed this model into a more localised and sustainable approach, which we are calling ‘Primary Maths Collaboratives‘. This will replace the Sustaining Work Groups that we used to run. These collaborative groups are open to any school who has previously engaged with the core Maths Hub Mastery Development programme. Each Primary Maths Collaborative will have approximately 12 schools, within a local area, and will involve these schools working together and being supported by a Local Leader of Maths Education (LLME). Being part of a Primary Maths Collaborative will involve:

– a primary subject leader network group (5 meetings per year)

– headteacher collaborative meetings (2 meetings per year)

– the opportunity for any teachers in the school to join lesson observation sessions (within a range of year groups) (optional)

– access other training being offered (optional)

– access to all the Maths Hub Subject Knowledge for Teaching Maths (SKTM) programmes (optional)

– access to Mastering Number (optional)

– possible bespoke support days from a specialist (optional and dependent on a school’s need)

All of this is fully funded by the DfE and will therefore come at no cost to schools wanting to take part. 

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – NCP25-11 Primary TfM – Regional Primary Maths Collaboratives

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, and progression through KS1. Lead Teachers in participating schools will receive training and will be part of an online community, to share practice and engage in critical reflection. Teaching materials will be provided for four short sessions each week, aimed at developing children’s fluency and flexibility with number.

This year our Hub has been chosen to be part of the EEF trial – and independant evaluation of the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme. It will be assessed through randomised controlled trials (RCTs). You can find out further information including FAQs by visiting the NCETM website. 

What will you learn?

• Your pupils will develop and demonstrate good number sense
• 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.

How to Apply

Recruitment has now closed for 2025/26

What is involved?

The maths lead will work collaboratively in an online community, attend two centrally-led sessions with the NCETM, one in the autumn term and one in the spring term, and two locally-run sessions with their hub. They will continue to explore the materials for Reception and KS1, and support colleagues in these year groups to embed Mastering Number in their classes. They will also support the Year 3 teacher to use the teaching materials provided for Year 3 pupils. The Year 3 teacher(s) will be expected to use the teaching materials provided in their class(es), as part of a 10-15 minute fluency session, four days a week; this is in addition to the main maths lesson. They will work closely with the maths lead to ensure that all pupils meet the relevant ready-to-progress criteria related to fluency in additive facts.

Who can take part?

This community is open to subject leaders from all 2025/26 Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 schools and Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 schools from previous cohorts that have not yet participated in this community. All participating schools also need to be engaged in a 2025/26 Teaching for Mastery Work Group

What will you learn?

Participants will:

• develop their understanding of the Mastering Number materials for Reception andKey Stage 1, and Year 3
• develop their understanding of a range of pedagogical strategies that can be used to support pupils
• support the Year 3 teacher(s) to secure pupils’ additive facts, using materials provided for Year 3
• secure an understanding of the mathematical expectations of the Early Years Framework and the meaning of the Early Learning Goals.

What is the cost?

The Mastering Number – Embedding the Impact community is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – Mastering Number Embedding the Impact Application  

What is involved?

Knowledge of multiplication and division and its applications forms the single most important aspect of the KS2 curriculum, and is the gateway to success at secondary school. This project enables pupils in Years 4 and 5 to develop fluency in multiplication and division facts, and a confidence and flexibility with number that exemplifies good number sense.

Lead Teachers will engage in centrally-led online workshops, once a term. These sessions will support the teachers to understand the materials better, as well as have time to develop their subject expertise to ensure maximum pupil impact through their use. There will also be local sessions once a term as participants in a Work Group led by a local Maths Hub Work Group Lead. Lead Teachers will need to support all other teachers of Years 4 and 5 in their school in how to use the materials effectively, and to work collaboratively to develop their understanding of children’s progression in applying facts to a range of contexts using a teaching for mastery approach.

Who can take part?

This Work Group is open to all primary schools participating in TfM Work Groups. Participating schools nominate Lead Teachers from Years 4 and 5, who will be provided with teaching materials that they are expected to use for five short sessions each week, aimed at developing children’s fluency and flexibility with number. These materials are in the form of teacher guidance and daily classroom resources, provided as PowerPoint slides and pupil worksheets.

What will you learn?

• You will work as part of a professional learning community to reflect on your   approaches, deepen your understanding about effective approaches, and refine your practice
• develop a secure understanding of how to embed pupil understanding and their ability to apply multiplicative reasoning to a range of contexts
• secure an understanding of the fluency expectations in Year 4 with a focus on supporting pupils to access the multiplication tables check
• support Year 5 pupils to continue to have automaticity of multiplication and division facts.

What is the cost?

The Mastering Number at KS2 Work Groups are fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so are free to participating schools.

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – Mastering Number at KS2 Application  

Who can take part?

This programme is designed for primary teachers who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths. This may be particularly relevant for teachers that have moved phases or have not received maths-specific training.

What is involved?

This project is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners teaching and supporting the learning of primary maths. Participants will attend the equivalent of four days, where they will collaboratively work on maths tasks, facilitated by Cohort Leads. There is opportunity for structured conversations in order to unpick the maths, the pedagogy modelled within sessions, misconceptions that pupils have, and how the approaches can be transferred to the participants’ classrooms. Between sessions, participants contribute to their online community, complete school-based tasks, and share their observations through discussions with peers.

We will be following the number pathway in 2025/26.

What will you learn?

• Your pupils will positively engage with maths that challenges them
• Your pupils will be able to explain their maths and their mathematical thinking using appropriate language
• You will identify pedagogical approaches that will enhance teaching and learning, and know how to plan for these
• You will enhance your maths subject knowledge with an emphasis on the key concepts in each mathematical area covered

What is the cost?

The SKTM Primary Teachers Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – SKTM Primary Teachers Application  

Who can take part?

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

What is involved?

This project is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners supporting the learning of primary maths. Participants will attend the equivalent of four days, where they will collaboratively work on maths tasks, facilitated by Cohort Leads.

What will you learn?

• Your pupils will positively 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 an understanding of key principles and approaches associated with teaching for mastery

What is the cost?

The SKTM Primary Teaching Assistants Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form –  SKTM Primary TAs Application  

Who can take part?

This programme supports primary early career teachers to develop specialist knowledge for teaching maths, complementing teaching for mastery approaches as exemplified in NCETM’s Essence of Mathematics Teaching for Mastery. Participants will be those identified as having recently started their teaching career; for this programme that means teachers in their second or third year of teaching.

What is involved?

Participants will attend the equivalent of four days over one academic year, where they will collaboratively work on maths tasks, facilitated by Cohort Leads. There is opportunity for structured conversations to unpick the maths, the pedagogy modelled within sessions, misconceptions that pupils have, and how the approaches can be transferred to the participants’ classrooms. Between sessions, participants contribute to their online community, complete school-based tasks, and share their reflections through discussions with peers (including their mentor).

What will you learn?

• Enhance your maths subject knowledge with an emphasis on the key concepts, the representations, and the language used to help pupils develop their understanding

• Identify common misconceptions and ways of addressing these to help pupils master important concepts

• Develop your expertise in maths specific pedagogies aligned to teaching for mastery and the ITTECF.

What is the cost?

The SKTM Primary Early Career Teachers Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – SKTM – Primary ECT Application  

Who can take part?

This opportunity is for those who teach and/or have responsibility for the curriculum in Years 5-8. Participants may be subject leaders or teachers with responsibility for transition in a school. They need to be supported to try out different tasks with their pupils and be released to attend three full-day workshops.

What is involved?

Work Groups focus on curriculum and pedagogical continuity over Years 5 to 8. Participants will collaborate with colleagues from across KS2 and KS3, working on mathematical tasks together and reflecting on the resulting activity and learning.

Sessions will take place in KS2 and KS3 settings, offering the chance to see tasks in the context of a classroom. School-based activities between meetings encourage participants to make use of the resources with their own pupils.

What will you learn?

• Your pupils in KS2 and KS3 will demonstrate a positive attitude to maths
• You will make common use of approaches, representations and language across phases
• You will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the curriculum across KS2 and KS3 and the expectations of pupils at the end of each Key Stage
• You and your cross-phase colleagues will collaborate on issues of curriculum and pedagogy as a normal part of your schools’ transition practice

What is the cost?

The Year 5-8 Continuity project is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply 

Please note there are limited places available on this programme. Please fill in the Google application form – Years 5-8 Continuity Application

Who can take part?

The community is for MAT maths leads overseeing multiple schools – both new and returning participants. MATs must support participants to attend three in-person days and take part in inter-sessional activity.

What is involved?

This community supports those who lead maths across MATs to embed teaching for mastery at scale. Participants will deepen their understanding of effective pedagogy, leadership roles, and build capacity with colleagues to transform maths teaching and learning.

Alongside sessions, an active online community and access to national expertise enhance ongoing development.

What will you learn?

• You will build leadership capacity to embed teaching for mastery across schools
• You will shape coherent curriculum and professional development strategies
• You will collaborate with peers and engage with national educational research
• You will develop a shared vision for effective teaching and learning in maths

What is the cost?

The MAT Maths Lead Community is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google application form – Multi-Academy Trust Maths Leads Community Application  

Who can take part?

All DfE-accredited ITT providers will be invited to choose participant(s) with responsibility for leading maths provision. Lead participants in this programme will be from the ITT community; they should be directly involved in ITT with a responsibility for maths. They will represent the various ITT providers across the hub region so may include HEI, SCITT and School Direct, and represent different phases of ITT including EYTS, QTS (primary and secondary), and post-16.

What is involved?

Participants in these regional communities will be expected to attend three national two-hour (online) workshops, coordinated by the NCETM team. In addition, participants will collaborate as a regional community for two half-days led by their Regional Community Leads. The focus of these communities is to work with Maths Hubs to know how best to support trainee teachers to align their classroom practice with the principles of teaching for mastery. 

It is expected that participants, supported by their institution, attend all national and regional meetings, feedback to relevant colleagues, and review their provision in light of the discussions. The ITT provider will commit to the same participant(s) in this community throughout the year.

What will you learn?

• You will have a deepening understanding of the principles of teaching for mastery and how they directly relate to classroom practice and of the work of their local Maths Hub and the national Maths Hubs Network.
• You will aim to ensure trainees have opportunities to understand and demonstrate how the ITTECF standards can be exemplified in mathematics provision and have some experience of observing, analysing and designing lessons informed by mastery principles

What is the cost?

The Regional Cross-Phase – ITT Providers Community is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating institutions.

How to Apply 

Please contact andyash@hfcmat.com for more information

The Primary Mastery Specialist Programme, now recruiting for its 11th cohort, is for primary teachers with a passion for maths. In the first year of the programme, three residentials – one in each term – provide an opportunity to develop understanding of the Five Big Ideas of teaching for mastery in depth and to focus on the specialist subject knowledge required to design lessons that unfold the maths for all children. 

Between residentials, as a classroom teacher, specialists will be able to apply their learning to the context of their own classroom and school, reflecting with others what the impact of learning has been on pupils.

2025/26 will be the development year for the Cohort 11 teachers and their schools. Then in 2026/27 and beyond (subject to DfE funding), the Mastery Specialists will each lead Work Groups to develop, embed and sustain teaching for mastery for their Maths Hub. It is expected that the Mastery Specialist’s school becomes a leading exponent of teaching for mastery in this time, and so the school needs to ensure that it has the capacity and desire to take on and cultivate a teaching for mastery approach across the whole school.

Participants should be experienced primary practitioners with the capacity to lead change in their own schools, and to develop as leaders of professional development in other schools. They must be working in a school in England. 

What is the cost?

The Primary Mastery Specialist Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How can you find out more?

An information document for the programme can be found on the NCETM website: Primary Mastery Specialist Programme  

Before a teacher applies for the role, headteachers might find it useful to look at the NCETM website where there are school leader interviews with heads who have led the introduction of teaching for mastery in a school. Here Mastery Specialists discuss the benefits of the role for themselves, their schools and their pupils. 

How to Apply 

Applications for this programme are now closed for 2025/26

NCETM Professional Development Lead accreditation is designed for those who lead professional development for teachers of maths.

Who can take part?

These programmes are for expert teachers of maths (all phases from Early Years to post-16) who have existing commitments and responsibility for designing, leading and evaluating maths teacher professional development, and who will lead maths professional development beyond their own institution. Participants must be based at a school/institution in England.

An information document can be found on the NCETM website: Professional Development Lead Programme

What is involved?

The PD Lead Programme is designed for participants who are working with other teachers to enhance teaching and learning of maths. 

The programme consists of a blend of online and face-to-face activity equating to three days, and a
series of independent planning and study tasks to be completed in your setting, spread over the
academic year. You will be in a position where you have ownership of planning, leading and
evaluating a professional development programme for a group of teachers/practitioners. Your work on
the programme will be recorded and shared for accreditation purposes in a standardised document.

In partnership with the University of Chester, we are delighted to offer you the opportunity to further
develop your work from the PD Lead Programme to gain 60 Masters credits and a PG Certificate in
Educational Studies in Mathematics.
Further information about the time commitment, assignments and costs will be available later in the
year. Please indicate on the application form whether you are interested to know more about this
opportunity.

What will you learn?

Throughout the year you will:

• consider what constitutes effective PD and the role of the PD Lead in terms of planning,
executing and evaluating PD programmes
• consider some fundamental themes and issues in maths and the teaching of maths, and the
implications of these in the context of supporting other practitioners
• develop an understanding of the full range of potential outcomes of maths professional
development, including: knowledge, attitudes and dispositions; practice development; school
approaches/policies; pupil outcomes
• develop an understanding of effective models of maths professional development, the
rationale for using them, and the research evidence that supports them.

What is the cost?

The Professional Development Lead Programmes are fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so are free to participants and their schools.

How to Apply 

Applications for this programme are now closed for 2025/26

Who can take part?

The programme is for colleagues working with school and subject leaders to improve maths teaching and learning in a school or group of schools other than their own. Normally, participants will have previously completed the NCETM PD Lead Programme. Participants will be expected to commit to the full programme of activities and will need the support of the headteacher of their own school and/or their MAT. The programme is for teachers working in England only.

An information document can be found on the NCETM website: School Development Lead Programme

What is involved?

This programme is specifically designed to enable the leaders of maths school development to enhance leadership capacity and capability in the schools they support. It will provide regional support through workshops (face-to-face run regionally across England, and online), practice development activities, and an online community.

Participants design and lead a maths school development initiative, working with school and subject leadership. They must maintain a reflection and learning log, and a record of their initiative.

What will you learn?

During the programme you will:

• increase your awareness of the skills needed by a mathematics school development lead and
have a deeper self-awareness in relation to the role
• develop your knowledge of a range of mathematics school development domains and know
why, when and how to work within these effectively
• develop your knowledge and understanding of how to lead the implementation of a maths
school development process, with appropriate emphasis on working closely with senior and
subject leaders to:

– explore their setting’s needs
– prepare for and begin (at least) to deliver an evidence-informed approach, designed
to address a specified priority and to be sustainable beyond your involvement with the
school
– strengthen your knowledge of the evidence base that underpins school development
and change management.

What is the cost?

The School Development Lead Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participants and their schools. You must discuss your intended application with your Maths Hub before
applying, as you will need their support to sponsor your place on the programme.

How to Apply 

Applications for this programme are now closed for 2025/26