National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics - CPD support programme confirmed

The Department for Education has confirmed that the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) will continue to coordinate the CPD support programme for mathematics 2012 - 2015. The programme will put schools and teachers at the heart of its work. It will centre on a clear, evidence-based vision for mathematics teaching and learning, underpinned by national and international research and supplemented by the cumulative experience from outstanding schools, from the previous NCETM programme, and from the national network of Science Learning Centres, the National STEM Centre and the Further Mathematics Support Programme (FMSP).

The programme, which takes forward the work of the NCETM, has been awarded to a consortium headed by Tribal Education in partnership with Myscience, Mathematics in Education (MEI) and the Institute of Education, University of London (IOE).

Taking the best from international comparisons, leading educational thinkers and current practice, the NCETM’s new remit offers a sustainable programme of mathematics CPD to support national teaching schools and other improvement partners in their work with schools and teachers. In particular the programme will provide support materials and guidance for the teaching of calculation in primary schools.

The programme puts schools and teachers at the heart of continuously improving mathematics education for all young people. It centres on a clear, evidence-based vision for mathematics teaching underpinned by national and international research evidence and supplemented by experience from outstanding schools, the successful NCETM programme, the national network of Science Learning Centres, the National STEM Centre and the Further Mathematics Support Programme (FMSP). The support and guidance will be underpinned by the three elements of effective teaching identified by Ofsted and ACME:

Professor Celia Hoyles of the Institute of Education and Programme Director for this new phase of the NCETM commented “I am so delighted that this Consortium has been funded to take forward the mathematics agenda. We have complementary strengths that we intend to combine to promote subject-specific professional development for all teachers of mathematics.

Charlie Stripp, Chief Executive of MEI, added “MEI is delighted to be involved in the consortium, building on the FMSP’s previous links with the NCETM and contributing our strong expertise in secondary mathematics teaching.”

Yvonne Baker of the National STEM Centre and network of Science Learning Centres said “Strong mathematics teaching is fundamental to the well-being and employability of every young person, whatever they choose to do in life. We are excited to be working as part of the new NCETM to offer ever more coherent support to teachers and schools, so supporting further this vital subject area.”

Tribal’s Chief Executive, Keith Evans, commented “We are delighted that the DfE has decided to entrust this important programme to Tribal and our partners. This service which will provide continuing professional development to teachers of mathematics through the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics is an example of our expertise in personal development and e-portal management, which brings together our intellectual property in software, subject knowledge and in education more generally.”