: Implementing a New Primary Maths Strategy: Evidence-Informed Tips Introducing & implementing a new primary maths strategy on a large scale

Introducing and implementing a new primary maths strategy on a large scale, across a MAT for example, requires engaging many staff, uniting them around a shared vision, and developing a detailed plan that is both manageable and impactful. Successful implementation is a sustained process, requiring careful planning, reflection, and iterative improvement. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) notes that effective implementation is ​“the bridge between promising research and improved outcomes for pupils.”

The following evidence-informed tips offer guidance for navigating a large-scale curriculum rollout:

1. Understand the ​‘Why?’
Before launching a new curriculum, you must have absolute clarity on the reasons for the change, the evidence supporting the decision and how it will impact all teachers and learners. Colleagues must also understand the ​‘why’. Research consistently shows that stronger engagement and ownership, leading to more successful adoption, occur when teachers understand the evidence base and benefits of a programme.

2. Test the Waters
Facilitating a pre-rollout trial is a key way to engage colleagues. Enabling staff to try out new resources and approaches builds familiarity and confidence, and helps to surface potential issues early. This results in a smoother, more organised rollout where colleagues can ​“hit the ground running”. The EEF highlights that piloting new initiatives can improve fidelity and reduce barriers to adoption.

3. Plan! Plan! Plan!
A detailed implementation plan is essential, including clear timescales, responsibilities, and impact criteria. Consider differentiating elements of the plan to meet the needs of different staff groups while maintaining equity and alignment across the school or Trust. Successful implementation involves structured planning, monitoring, and iterative review to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

4. Invest in Growth
High-quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is absolutely essential for a successful implementation and rollout. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of curriculum-provided CPD versus internally sourced CPD to decide what works best for your setting. The EEF highlights that sustained, evidence-informed CPD improves teacher practice and pupil outcomes, especially when it is collaborative, practical and connected to classroom teaching.

5. Know the Landscape
In large Trusts, schools cater to a wide variety of children, necessitating a curriculum that allows for flexibility and adaptation while ensuring consistent base content. The EEF guidance emphasises tailoring implementation to the context while ensuring the programme is delivered as intended. Introducing a strong curriculum can reduce workload and improve lesson quality, but teachers need ongoing support to adapt lessons effectively. While workload can become manageable over time, reaching that point requires patience and sustained effort.

6. Mind the Gap
When adopting a new curriculum, consider the potential for children to develop knowledge gaps as the old approach is replaced. This risk can be mitigated by ensuring fundamental skills, such as number sense, are explicitly taught.

7. See It, Feel It, Teach It
Observing the curriculum in practice is invaluable for both staff and leaders. Just as the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach aids children’s learning, seeing lessons delivered, reviewing pupil work, and discussing approaches aids adult learning and adoption. The EEF recommends classroom visits and peer observation as effective strategies to support adoption and fidelity.

Implementation is a sustained process benefiting from planning, piloting, ongoing reflection, and professional learning, making rollouts more manageable and impactful for pupils.

Stay tuned for our next blog to chart the progress of real life implementation of a new maths strategy in a primary school.