Primary Mathematics Specialist Teacher Programme (MaST)

Local Authorities that we are working with:Essex County CouncilKent County CouncilMedway CouncilSouthend on Sea Borough CouncilLondon Borough of BexleyRoyal Borough of Windsor and MaidenheadBracknell Forest CouncilOxfordshire County CouncilReading Borough CouncilSwindon Borough CouncilWest Berkshire CouncilWokingham Borough CouncilBournemouth Borough CouncilDorset County CouncilGloucestershire County CouncilHampshire County CouncilIsle of Wight CouncilBorough of PoolePortsmouth City CouncilSouth Gloucestershire CouncilSouthampton City CouncilWiltshire County CouncilPrimary MathematicsSpecialist TeacherProgramme (MaST)University of Winchester working with Canterbury Christ ChurchUniversity, University of Greenwich, University of ReadingFor further information and details of how toapply please contact:Tony Simmons, Project ManagerCPD Projects, University of WinchesterEmail: Tony.simmons@winchester.ac.uk

The government’s White Paper – The Importanceof Teaching – confirmed the commitment todeveloping a mathematics specialism in primaryschools. This builds on the recommendation madein the Williams Report, published in June 2008,That there should be at least one MathematicsSpecialist in each primary school, in post within10 years, with deep mathematical subject andpedagogical knowledge.The longer term vision is that ‘this group of skilledteachers champion the cause of mathematics in alocal context, making the subject more attractiveto children, colleagues and parents and that theselocal hubs of influence lead to improvementsnationally with positive attitudes, high expectationsand world-class mathematics education and highstandards for all’. This is in line with ambitions setout in the Schools White Paper: Your child, yourSchools, our future.The MaST programme is a two year Masters levelprogramme for primary teachers. It is a nationalprogramme that will involve all local authoritiesand all schools over the next few years.The first year of the MaST programme will befully funded, the second year will cost £2000 perteacher.Primary school teacher – “this course has changedmy practice. There is no other course I have been onthat has had this much impact”Primary school teacher – “The course has changedthe way that I teach”Primary school head teacher – “improved subjectknowledge has helped the MaST to develop a schoolvision for maths and deliver staff training sessionseffectively”Infant school head teacher – “the children in theMaST class made more progress than any class in thetime that I have been HT here”Primary school head teacher – “my maths managercan now articulate a vision for mathematics teachingwhich is making us all think about how we teach it”LA consultant – “Schools see the programme asworthwhile overall and can see the potential of aSpecialist in enhancing mathematical practice intheir schools. A few schools have also had Ofstedand conversations have been positive towards thepotential impact”This will be the third year that we, as a consortium,have been delivering the MaST programme andfeedback from teachers, schools and LAs has beenexcellent.