Mastery Readiness
What is Mastery Readiness?
Lots of schools are ready to start their mastery journey, and some would benefit from initial support before becoming part of the full programme. This stage of the Teaching for Mastery journey is the 'Preparatory' phase. Completing the Mastery Readiness Programme usually takes a year. After this, schools are prioritised for a place on the high-profile Teaching for Mastery Programme with the South Yorkshire Maths Hub. As part of this programme, they benefit from three further years of support.
Who can take part?
Schools will have an identifiable barrier to being able to successfully implement teaching for mastery at present. Barriers may include an Ofsted grading of RI or Inadequate, poor pupil progress in maths, serving an area of low social mobility, or issues in the school that have meant the implementation of sustained change has been difficult.
Schools who take part in the programme will work closely with expert practitioners who work as part of Maths Hubs leadership teams. They are experienced in school improvement work, as well as teaching for mastery. Working with the headteacher and maths lead, they construct a bespoke programme for each school’s needs
After the year-long programme, Mastery Readiness schools will be ready to progress into Development Work Groups and beyond.
Schools that are successful in implementing sustained and meaningful change through teaching for mastery have key foundations already in place.
These key foundations include:
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shared vision and culture around the importance of maths
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a belief that every child can achieve highly in maths
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a positive mindset towards maths amongst all staff
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good maths subject knowledge amongst teachers and TAs
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systems that maximise learning, such as timetabling, intervention, curriculum and pedagogical approaches
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teaching of arithmetical proficiency for all children, to support mathematical fluency by reducing cognitive load
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ongoing staff development, which is valued by all staff and senior leaders.
Read a case study of a school that took part in the pilot Mastery Readiness Programme in Northumberland.