Early Years

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 

You will need the full support of your headteacher to prioritise and fully attend
all sessions, and to give you appropriate opportunity to design, lead and evaluate your PD
programme. If you are a primary applicant, please consult with your Maths Hub prior to applying.

Please go to the following link to apply – Professional Development Lead Programmes | NCETM  Please complete all sections of the application form and submit by 5pm on 14th March 2025. Applications received after this time will not be accepted. Maths Hubs will complete the selection process, and you will be informed of the result before the summer break.

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 

You will need the full support of your headteacher to attend face-to-face/online
sessions, and to give you appropriate opportunity to design, lead and evaluate your school
development initiative.

You, with the support of your headteacher, should complete the online application form here – School Development Lead Programme | NCETM and submit it to the NCETM by 5pm on 14 March 2025. 

Who can take part?

This project is for Early Years teachers who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths to Reception pupils. It may be particularly relevant for teachers that have moved phases or have not received maths-specific training.

What is involved?

This programme is designed to improve the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners teaching and supporting the learning of early maths.

There are two types of SKTM Early Years pathways: Pathway One: Number Patterns and Structures, and Pathway Two: Pattern, Shape, Space and Measures. Each pathway consists of the equivalent of four days, spread out over a minimum of two terms. Professional learning and practice development continue throughout, with participants implementing new ideas into their daily practice. 

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

Applications are now closed for 2024/25. You can register your interest for 2025/26 here –

Expression of Interest 2025/26

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.

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. It takes place over the equivalent of four days.

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

Applications are now closed for 2024/25. You can register your interest for 2025/26 here –

Expression of Interest 2025/26