Secondary

Want to become a specialist in teaching for mastery and support your own and other schools to develop teaching for mastery approaches? Join the Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme. During the programme you will receive fully funded professional development from experts, have time to develop your own expertise, and then to support others.

Any teacher (excluding ECTs) who is teaching maths in a state-funded secondary school in England and who wishes to develop both their own classroom practice and their skills in leading professional development with others can apply to become a Secondary Mastery Specialist.

What is involved?

The Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme enables secondary maths teachers to become experts in teaching for mastery, so they in turn can develop maths departments that are well-led, high-performing, and provide high-quality professional development through collaborative working. It also develops them in their role as a leader of professional development with others, so they are well supported when working with their own department.

Participants first work on their own understanding and practice and then work with members of their own department to develop teaching for mastery. In year three and beyond the school joins a Secondary Teaching for Mastery Work Group to continue to develop specific elements of teaching and practice across their department.

Throughout the training Specialists are supported nationally and locally, enabling them to have professional conversations and share experiences both in-person and online.

In future years, working closely with their local Maths Hub and the national team, Specialists may choose to go on to lead work with other schools.

What is the cost?

The Secondary 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: 2025-26 SMS Cohort 10 updated information

In the NCETM’s Mastery Magnified pages you will find case studies, interviews and podcasts with some of the secondary teachers we have been working with. 

How to Apply 

Please contact our secondary lead, Jayne Watts, for more information –  j.watts@alsagerschool.org

Who can take part?

The community is for secondary heads of department/subject leaders, and is open to heads of department in schools already involved with Maths Hubs and to those who are not yet involved.

What is involved?

Subject leaders play a vital role in shaping departmental practice and driving improvements in student outcomes. This project provides an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of effective teaching approaches, their wider leadership responsibilities, and their capacity to work with colleagues to transform secondary maths learning.

Participants will collaborate with other subject leaders, explore research and new developments, and use these insights to inform and strengthen their leadership of maths education in school.

What will you learn?

• You will promote and develop a shared vision, culture and set of principles for teaching and learning in maths
• You will ensure coherence in the curriculum and provide support for teaching for mastery across the department
• You and your department will establish collaborative ways of working to support ongoing developments
• You will develop in your ability to lead change

What is the cost?

The Secondary Maths Subject Leaders 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 – Secondary Maths SL Application  

This Work Group is intended for schools with Year 7 students who have not met age-related expectations in maths, particularly students whose attainment is in the bottom 20-30% of the national cohort at the end of KS2. 

This project aims to support the teachers of those students in Year 7 who require additional support to secure the foundations of understanding in maths necessary to make good progress in KS3 and beyond. National data indicates that, since Covid, there has been an increase in the number of students not meeting Age Related Expectations (ARE) by the end of KS2, and that the gaps in knowledge for some in Year 7 are wider and deeper than in previous years; this is supported by evidence from a recent NCETM teacher survey. Year 7 teachers are also reporting that they feel insufficiently equipped to teach these students mathematical content from much earlier in the curriculum.

Who can take part?

The Work Group is suitable for experienced or novice teachers who are interested in developing their teaching practice to support students in securing the foundations of mathematical understanding. A pair of participants from each school will join a Work Group; the pair should comprise at least one teacher with QTS, but may include a teaching assistant or similar.

What is involved?

Participants are expected to attend the equivalent of three full days of workshops, and to complete school-based tasks between sessions. Workshops will be a blend of national and local sessions, and online and in-person provision. The centrally-produced resources are designed to support teachers and focus on the foundations of mathematical understanding. Each set of resources has a different focus, adapting the most relevant parts of the support available for KS2 teachers so that they build on students’ prior knowledge and prepare them for their study in KS3. The resources comprise both classroom-facing slides and teacher guidance. For all participant schools there is also an expectation that the subject leader participates in a subject leader community

What will you learn?

Participants who actively engage with the teacher guidance and supporting materials will benefit most. Teachers are encouraged to generalise the pedagogical strategies they explore as part of this project, and embed them in their practice more widely, to meet the needs of all students.

Participants will:

• develop classroom practices aligned to those in the NCETM’s Essence of Mathematics Teaching for Mastery
• develop their pedagogic and content knowledge of KS1 and KS2 maths, with a particular emphasis on key concepts
• practise strategies and refine their practice to best support students who did not meet age-related expectations (ARE) at the end of KS2
• consider approaches which support all students to reason mathematically and develop a deep and connected understanding of the maths they are learning.

What is the cost?

The Securing Foundations at Year 7 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 – Securing Foundations at Year 7 Application  

This project is designed to support non-specialist teachers teaching maths in a secondary school in developing specialist knowledge for teaching mathematics, thus enabling them to understand, teach and support students in maths in the classroom. 

Who can take part?

This programme is provided for non-specialist teachers of maths in state-funded schools who fit the following definition: ‘A non-specialist teacher of mathematics is ‘a teacher that is currently teaching some mathematics or has commitment from a headteacher/executive head to teach some mathematics within the next year, who has not undertaken initial teacher training (ITT) in mathematics’. If there is sufficient space in the cohort, other teachers of maths who do not fit this definition but would benefit from this support may also participate.

What is involved?

The programme will be engaged with across the year (spread out over a minimum of two terms), to allow participants time to develop their practice and evaluate the impact of the adaptations made. In addition to attendance at these sessions, participants will be asked to carry out school-based tasks to enable practice transfer to the classroom. It is recommended that each participant has a named mentor in school who can follow up with a up with a professional learning conversation after each session.

What will you learn?

• Your students will think, reason and discuss their maths in order to deepen their understanding a deep, secure and connected understanding of the maths they are learning
• You will increase your confidence in planning for progression in maths
• You will improve your subject and curriculum knowledge of secondary maths 

What is the cost?

The SKTM Secondary Non-specialist 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 Secondary Non Specialist Application  

This programme supports secondary 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.

Who can take part?

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 will be an 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 will contribute to the online community, complete school-based tasks, and share their reflections through discussions with peers (including their mentor).

What will you learn?

• Your students will reason with increasing confidence in response to effective questioning within the classroom
• You will recognise appropriately challenging content within a task or lesson and anticipate a student’s response, adapting the task or lesson as necessary
• You will notice aspects of students’ learning behaviour, and be supported to plan a response

What is the cost?

The SKTM Secondary 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 Secondary ECT Application  

Who can take part?

This programme will be relevant for teaching assistants who work for most of their time with students in the KS3 maths classroom, or who lead intervention sessions with groups of students. The participants’ schools should already be engaged with a Teaching for Mastery Work Group, and this programme will complement this provision.

What is involved?

The programme will be run over the equivalent of four days (hubs decide whether the programme is delivered face-to-face, blended, or online), and participants must commit to attending all sessions. Participants will develop their specialist knowledge with a focus on using precise mathematical language, representations and reasoning within each of the topics: addition and subtraction; multiplication and division; fractions; and ratio and proportion. In addition to attendance at these sessions, participants will be asked to carry out school-based tasks to enable participants to develop their practice in the classroom.

What will you learn?

• Your students will demonstrate a positive attitude towards the learning of maths
• You will enhance your maths specialist knowledge with a particular focus on mathematical structures and representations in each of the following topic areas: Addition and subtraction (extending to negative numbers), Multiplication and division (extending to negative numbers), Fractions and Ratio and proportion. 
• You will work towards developing their understanding of how to suitably work towards developing their understanding of how to suitably scaffold support/resources to meet the needs of their students
• You will develop an understanding of how algebra relates to the generalisation of number.

What is the cost?

The SKTM Secondary 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 Secondary TAs 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?

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?

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

Who can take part?

This opportunity is aimed at teachers in secondary schools with a high proportion of disadvantaged students. Schools must commit to releasing at least one teacher to attend all sessions, to trial strategies in the classroom and share learning with colleagues.

What is Involved?

This Work Group is designed to help schools increase the number of students – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – achieving higher grades in GCSE Mathematics and progressing to study maths at Level 3.

Participants will work with local colleagues, supported by Cheshire and Wirral Maths Hub and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP), to explore strategies and teaching approaches that promote high attainment and motivation.

Sessions will include collaborative planning and reflection, with opportunities to adapt and trial high-impact tasks in the classroom to deepen understanding of challenging areas of the secondary maths curriculum.

What will you learn?

• Your students will develop the deep understanding needed for higher GCSE grades
• You and your school will embed a culture of high expectations and equitable access to challenging maths topics
• Your students will have a greater awareness of progression opportunities in post-16 maths
• You will trial and reflect on practical classroom tasks designed to stretch and engage students
• You will collaborate with colleagues to develop approaches that promote high-level mathematical thinking

What is the cost?

The Higher-level Maths Achievement project is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply 

Please register your interest for the Higher-level Maths Achievement project 2025/26 here – Expression of Interest 2025/26

Strengthen understanding and confidence in a key area of the KS3 (Year 7 and Year 8) maths curriculum

Who can take part?

This opportunity is for secondary schools in England. Each school nominates two KS3 teachers, including at least one experienced teacher. It is suitable for those who want to improve their own teaching and support improvements across their department.

One Work Group focuses on Year 7 content and is open to all secondary schools. A second Work Group, focused on Year 8 content, is for schools that took part in the Year 7 Work Group in 2024/25.

What is involved?

This opportunity focuses on supporting students to develop a deep and connected understanding of multiplicative reasoning. Working in a professional learning community, teachers will explore effective ways to teach multiplicative reasoning, share strategies and use carefully-designed classroom resources and guidance materials to improve their teaching.

What will you learn?

• You will strengthen students’ reasoning, fluency and confidence with multiplicative reasoning
• You will explore key structures and strategies for teaching multiplicative reasoning across KS3
• You will work with colleagues to plan and reflect on coherent, high-quality lessons
• You will improve understanding of how to support all students to think and communicate mathematically
• You will have access to high-quality classroom resources and guidance to ensure secure foundations for GCSE study

What is the cost?

The Developing Fluency with Multiplicative Reasoning at KS3 project is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How to Apply

For schools that did not participate in 2024/25 please fill in the Google application form – Developing Fluency with Multiplicative Reasoning at KS3 (Year 7) Application

For schools that were part of the year 7 group in 2024/25, please fill in the Google Application form to access the year 8 content – Developing Fluency with Multiplicative Reasoning at KS2 (Year 8) Application

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 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 are now closed for 2025/26