What is Secondary Teaching for Mastery?

Mastering maths means pupils of all ages acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. The phrase ‘teaching for mastery’ describes the elements of classroom practice and school organisation that combine to give pupils the best chances of mastering maths. Achieving mastery means acquiring a solid enough understanding of the maths that’s been taught to enable pupils to move on to more advanced material.

Teaching for mastery is currently more widespread in primary schools across England, with around 9,000 primary schools engaging with their local Maths Hub, and over 850 primary teachers training as Mastery Specialists

The Five Big Ideas underpin teaching for mastery in both primary and secondary schools.

Want to know more?

Please see the routes below to engage with DFE-funded professional development for your department.

I would say to senior leaders and headteachers whose maths departments are considering introducing teaching for mastery to go for it. When you hear the conversations students have in maths lessons, see their engagement and depth of understanding, and listen to them telling you about their experiences of learning maths, you will see why it is worth it."