Early Years

Who can take part?

This programme supports Early Years teachers to develop specialist knowledge for teaching maths. It will be particularly relevant for individual teachers that have not received maths-specific training. Maths leads in primary schools who want to deepen their knowledge of Early Years maths practice would also benefit from participating in this programme. A maths lead may find that participating alongside an Early Years teacher from their school will support their understanding of progression from Foundation Stage to KS1.

What is involved?

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 ses-

sions, 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. There are two types of SKTM Early Years pathways – Number and Spatial Reasoning. 

What will you learn?

• Your pupils will demonstrate a positive attitude towards maths, being willing to have a go, persevere, and share their mathematical ideas
• You will explore and increase your use of a range of pedagogic approaches that will support pupils in engaging with and developing their maths
• You will understand how maths opportunities can be developed across all areas and in everyday routines

What is the cost?

The SKTM Early Years 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 – Early Years Application  

Who can take part?

These programmes are 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?

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

This has been a very popular programme and we have very limited spaces available – please contact mathshub@ourladyofpity.co.uk for more information.

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