Secondary Mathematics Teaching for Mastery Work Groups

Information and Application(2017/18)

In 2017/18, all Maths Hubs will be running Secondary Mathematics Teaching for Mastery Work Groups led byMastery Specialists.Each Maths Hub is now seeking to recruit schools to join Work Groups. This document gives information about the Work Groups and how schools can apply to be involved. The closing date for application is Friday 15th December.

Background

During 2016/17 the Matrix Maths Hub have had 2 secondary teaching for mastery specialists working in our area. Their work has consisted of the following elements:

  • Participation in three 24-hour residentials across the year looking at the elements of teaching for mastery;
  • Undertaking research and development work in their own classroom, developing their own understanding and practice of teaching for mastery approaches;
  • Working with colleagues within their own department, supporting individual teachers’ understanding and practice and developing departmental policies, practices and systems.
  • Beginning to work with colleagues outside of their own school through the vehicle of teacher research groups (TRGs)

The Teaching for Mastery Work Groups

In 2017/18, Matrix Maths Hub is seeking to invite secondary teachers interested in developing their own and their department’s practice in teaching for mastery to be part of a Work Group organised and facilitated by a secondary teaching for mastery specialist.

The Work Group will be an opportunity for collaborative professional development activity. It will support all participants in developing a shared understanding of teaching for mastery principles and provide an environment where new classroom and departmental practices can be tried out, shared and developed. Work Group activities might typically include:

  • Exploring aspects of teaching for mastery together – coming to a shared understanding;
  • Engaging in the collaborative planning of lessons;
  • Being involved in shared, mutual observation of lessons (live and/or via video);
  • Developing curriculum materials;
  • Developing curriculum plans and policies.

Benefits for participating schools

Participating in the Work Group will provide the following benefits to participant schools:

  • High quality support for teacher professional development for the participating teachers. Ideally 2 teachers from each department should apply to be part of the Work Group to support shared working back at school (we understand if this cannot be the case, but this would be the most beneficial arrangement);
  • Support for other members of the department through the encouragement of development activities back at school in between Work Group sessions
  • Support for the head of department in addressing leadership and management issues related to teaching for mastery;
  • The opportunity to work closely with other schools also developing teaching for mastery

There will be no charge for participation.

Who can apply

The Work Groups are intended for teachers within secondary mathematics departments that are already committed to using teaching for mastery approaches and have the desire and capacity to engage in significant development work during 2017/18. Departments that have already begun to engage with teaching for mastery are more likely to be prioritised by the Maths Hub. Please note our specialists are based in Stevenage and Ongar so ideally you need to be within 30 minutes travelling distance to the specialists’ schools.

Expectations of participating schools

Schools chosen to participate in the Work Group will commit to the following expectations:

  • Participating teachers will attendall cross-school Work Group meetings set up by the specialist (at least 3 meetings across the year – these would normally be half day meetings, although they could be afterschool);
  • Participating teachers will engage with the whole group both within and between Work Group meetings by sharing approaches, successes and challenges and engaging in discussion and debate, including use of a shared online community;
  • Teachers will fully engage in all tasks and development activities in between meetings;
  • The lead teachers and their head of departmentwill seek to introduce teaching for mastery approaches across the department and seek to establish TRG professional development models within the department to support teacher development;
  • The department will keep an ongoing diary of actions, developments and reflections across the year to support their own development and to support any end of year evaluation processes required by the Hub.

Funding

There is no charge to schools participating in the Work Group.

How to apply

Schools interested in applying tobe part of a Work Group in 2017/18 should complete the application form below and submit by Friday 15th December 2017.

Matrix MathsHub will then make contact with you with more details about the selection process.

Secondary Mathematics Teaching for Mastery Work Group Application

(Please complete and return to Matrix Maths Hub by Friday 15th December 2017
Email to )

School details

Name of school
Address
School URN / Telephone
Head Teacher / E-mail
Maths Hub

Details of lead teacher 1

Name
E-mail / Telephone
School role/s including teaching group/s in 2016-17

Details of lead teacher 2

Name
E-mail / Telephone
School role/s including teaching group/s in 2016-17

Current engagement with a Secondary Teaching for Mastery Specialist

Has your school been working with a Maths Hub Mastery Specialist in 2016-17 (Yes/No)
If yes, please name the Mastery Specialist

Headteacher / Head of department joint statement

Please give details of why you wish the school to participate in the Work Group and your commitment to teaching for mastery approaches including details of any existing engagement with these approaches (up to 250 words)

Confirmation of school commitment (electronic signatures)

If we are chosen to participate in the Work Group, we understand and commit to the following expectations:

  • Participating teachers will attend all cross-school Work Group meetings set up by the specialist (at least 3 meetings across the year – these would normally be half day meetings, although they could be after-school);
  • Participating teachers will engage with the whole group both within and between Work Group meeting by sharing approaches, successes and challenges and engaging in discussion and debate, including use of a shared online community;
  • Teachers will fully engage in all tasks and development activities in between meetings;
  • The lead teachers and head of department will seek to introduce teaching for mastery approaches across the department and seek to establish TRG professional development models within the department to support teacher development;
  • The department will keep an ongoing diary of actions, developments and reflections across the year to support their own development and to support any end of year evaluation processes required by the Hub.

Head Teacher / Signature of Head Teacher
Head of department
Lead teacher 1 / Signature of Lead Teacher 1
Lead teacher 2 / Signature of Lead Teacher 2

(Note: When the form is e-mailed, please copy in all signatories as confirmation of their electronic signature)