Research School Network: Improving Mathematics in Key Stage 2 and 3: What next? Some additions to help you calculate your next steps

The Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 guidance report was launched in November 2017. In the introduction, Sir Kevan Collins of the EEF said that ​“It is a starting point for a more evidence-informed approach to teaching maths and the EEF and its partners, particularly our network of Research Schools, will be producing a range of supporting resources, tools, and training to help you implement the recommendations in your classrooms.”

Three years later, what tools can we call upon?

RAG Self-assessment Guide

(At this point, we are assuming that you have read the guidance report! If not, give it a read and come and join us back here when you are finished.) 

To support the use and implementation of findings from the guidance report, the EEF have produced a RAG tool. This guide uses the headings of ​‘ineffective’, ​‘improving’ and ​‘exemplary’ practice and allows you to measure how well you are doing against the 8 recommendations from the guidance report.

Here is an example, taken from Recommendation 3: Teach strategies for solving problems.

Ineffective: Teachers do not consciously vary the structure and context to problems.
Improving: Teachers do pay attention to context and structure when setting problems, but this is not systematic and does not support improved understanding.
Exemplary: Teaching is organised so that problems with similar structures and different contexts are presented together, and, likewise, that problems with the same context but different structures are presented together. Pupils are taught to identify similar mathematics that underlies different situations, and identify and interrogate multiple relationships between variables in one situation.

The tool can be used as an initial audit or can be seen as something to revisit regularly to track progress.

EEF Email Course

Following the successful completion of similar email courses based around the Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants and Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning guidance reports, the Education Endowment Foundation will soon launch their course on
Improving Mathematics in Key Stage 2 and 3. Those who sign up will receive regular emails which cover the content from the guidance report. You can join here.

Maths Hubs

There are 35Maths hubs across the country. Bradford schools can work with West Yorkshire MathsHub in a number of different ways, and you can find out more here: https://wymathshub.co.uk/
Their model of collaborative professional development ​‘workgroups’ allows for CPD which is sustained and has a chance to make a lasting impact. West Yorkshire Maths hub recently presented on recommendations from the guidance report at our Research Roadshow, so we can vouch for their expertise in the recommendations!

Research Schools

There are a number of Research Schools across the country who will be offering a three day course on Improving Mathematics at Key Stage 2 and 3. Find a list of all the upcoming events and courses across the network here.