2010 Edge Hill University Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) Project

Tasked by the government to carry out an independent review of mathematics teaching in early years and primary school settings, Sir Peter Williams published a report in 2008 recommending that to improve mathematics teaching in primary schools, there should be at least one mathematics specialist in each primary school with deep sub ject and pedagogical knowledge, and that they should be in post within ten years.

This long-term vision is that these specialists will champion mathematics locally and make the subject more attractive to children, colleagues and parents and influence improvements nationally, in line with the schools white paper: Your child, your schools, our future.

In order to begin this ambitious process, higher education institutions were invited to bid to provide Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) training for schools, and Edge Hill University was awarded the contract for the North West and West Midlands regions.

Overseen by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, DCSF, 19 local authorities are now currently working with Edge Hill, with the potential of more coming on board in the future.

Jan Jackson, MaST Project Manager at Edge Hill, explains more about the project: "MaST is delivered through a partnership between schools, local authorities and HEIs, and is offered to teachers currently employed in primary schools who will then be trained to become champions of mathematics.

"Teachers don't necessarily have to have a mathematics background to undertake MaST, as it is more important that they have enthusiasm for the subject. They will improve their subject knowledge of the mathematics contained in the Early Years Foundation Stage and primary curriculum, going into Key Stage 3. MaST is part of a school improvement programme with a focus on mathematics, allowing specialist teachers to extend their knowledge, skills and understanding so that they can support others in strengthening their teaching and learning."

There are three main strands to the programme, designed to enable mathematics specialists to develop a detailed knowledge of the subject, relevant to children of different ages and levels within primary schools; provide them with a deep understanding of a range of approaches to teaching and learning; and allow them to critically analyse a range of coaching and mentoring skills so that they can influence and support a change in practice.

Jan believes the project could have a major impact on the way mathematics is taught in the UK. "It's an exciting opportunity for teachers to take a leading role in their school and make a difference in the classroom for all children" she said.

"The project is all about changing attitudes towards the subject," she added. "In his report Sir Peter talked about an attitude today where it's almost ‘cool' not to be good at mathematics, but this project should help change that and make it more accessible and relevant to children. It's also important because of government targets to have at least one MaST in all schools within the next ten years."

MaST is only for qualified teachers currently working in primary schools in England, with the responsibility on local authorities to ensure that there is an even spread of specialists across their schools. Edge Hill staff work in a supporting role, helping recruit candidates to join the programme, following the targets set by DCSF.

The next cohort for the two-year programme starts in September and each year contains five days of face-to-face contact with Edge Hill staff, including a residential; six locally-run half-day extended meetings; one half-day visit to the teacher's school by a local authority consultant; in-school classroom-focused work; and self-supported study via Edge Hill's virtual learning environment, Blackboard.

"At the end of the two years teachers successfully completing the programme receive 60 credits at Level 7, which gives them a PGCert in Specialist Primary Mathematics," explains Jan. "They are also awarded Mathematics Specialist Teacher status too, and, as the MaST in their school, become part of the school leadership team, giving them a chance to really make a difference," she added.

"In terms of professional development, this is a really good opportunity for a lot of teachers and it offers them a chance to make an impact on one of our most important subjects, which can only be a good thing for the future of our children," Jan concluded.

For further information please visit our dedicated MaST web pages at edgehill.ac.uk/mast or contact Jan Jackson, Edge Hill University's Mathematics Specialist Teacher Project Manager on 01695 650808, email: jacksonj@edgehill.ac.uk Information should also be available by contacting your local authority