It has long been recognised that maths teaching is enhanced when the teachers are confident about the subject matter. Shulman (1986) and Ball (2008) identified specialist knowledge that teachers of maths uniquely need. We view specialist knowledge as a blend of subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge.

Core Maths is a relatively new qualification and uptake is growing, so more Core Maths teaching capacity is needed. This programme seeks to address this need by helping teachers to develop the specialist knowledge to teach Core Maths effectively. The programme forms part of the overall AMSP and Maths Hubs Core Maths professional development offer.

By increasing Core Maths teaching capacity, the programme supports the national aim that it will become the norm for all students to study maths post-16.

Participants will be guided through six separate sessions with the following themes (which are common to all Core Maths specifications): Applying Fermi estimation and modelling; Exploring statistics; Making sense of finance; Using the pre-release materials; Developing critical analysis, and Creating contextualised activities.

Participants will take part in activities for each of these themes and review the pedagogical thinking behind the resources used. They will then identify an activity to use in their own classroom, and share and reflect on their experience with the group.

The programme gives inexperienced Core Maths teachers the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers, guided by an expert Cohort Lead, to develop the specialist knowledge they need to teach Core Maths effectively.

Who will be leading the group?

Christine Watson

Who is it for?

This programme is for teachers who are in the first two years of teaching Core Maths and are teaching a Core Maths class during the academic year 2024/25.

What are the intended outcomes?

Student outcomes

Students will:

• have raised awareness of the use of maths and statistics in everyday life
• have increased confidence in their ability to use and apply maths to solve authentic, real-world problems
• be more confident with the mathematical aspects of the other subjects they are studying post-16.

Practice development

Participants will:

• apply related pedagogical approaches in their Core Maths teaching, including use of technology
• plan lessons and/or sequences of lessons to promote student understanding, confidence, and progress
• effectively teach some mathematical concepts and processes through contextualised problem-solving.

Professional learning

Participants will:

• understand the philosophy of Core Maths, with its approach to teaching and learning maths through contextualised problem-solving and the application of maths to authentic problems
• develop their subject knowledge in these six areas: Applying Fermi estimation and modelling; Exploring statistics; Making sense of finance; Using the pre-release materials; Developing critical analysis and Creating contextualised activities
• develop their understanding of how online learning and technology can be used to support Core Maths teaching.

What is the cost?

Funded by DfE so participation is free for schools