Following the success of the previous ten cohorts of the Primary Mastery Specialist Programme, the NCETM and Maths Hubs are now seeking to recruit an eleventh cohort of expert primary school teachers to develop and work as Primary Mastery Specialists.
The Primary Mastery Specialist Programme is for primary teachers with a passion for maths. In the first year of the programme, three residentials – one in each term – provide an opportunity to develop understanding the Five Big Ideas of teaching for mastery in depth and to focus on the specialist subject knowledge required to design lessons that unfold the maths for all children.
Between residentials, as a classroom teacher, specialists will be able to apply their learning to the context of their own classroom and school, reflecting with others what the impact of learning has been on pupils.
Application have now closed for the 2025-26 programme.
Who can take part?
Participants should be experienced primary practitioners with the capacity to lead change in their own schools, and to develop as leaders of professional development in other schools. They must be working in a school in England. Their headteachers commit to supporting them and to developing teaching for mastery in their schools.
What is involved?
The Mastery Specialist Programme is for primary teachers with a passion for maths. In the first year of the programme, three residentials – November 2025, March 2026 and June 2026 but are subject to confirmation – provide an opportunity to develop understanding the Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery in depth, and to focus on the specialist subject knowledge required to design lessons that unfold the maths for all children.
Between residentials, as a classroom teacher, specialists will be able to apply their learning to the context of their own classroom and school, reflecting with others what the impact of learning has been on pupils.
In this first year, 10 days will need to be set aside. This will include attendance at all three residentials (6 days), working with other teachers in their school (3 days) and hosting of a trial Teacher Research Group (TRG) in the summer term (1 day).
The second year onwards will require teacher release time and will be fully funded through the Maths Hubs. The exact number of days will be discussed with the Maths Hub and depend on the nature of the work carried out by the specialist. Typically, this could be approximately 12-37 days in any one academic year.
In 2026/27 and beyond (subject to DfE funding), the Mastery Specialists will:
- lead Work Groups to develop, embed and sustain teaching for mastery in other schools in their Maths Hub
- continue to develop, embed and sustain teaching for mastery approaches across their own school
- continue to collaborate with the Maths Hub’s leadership and Mastery Specialists
- engage with additional Professional Development Lead sessions and obtain NCETM PD Lead Accreditation, if not already achieved.
Learn what's involved in the application process by downloading this information document.
Want to know more? Listen to a Mastery Specialist discuss her work in this podcast. Read more about Work Groups led by Mastery Specialists.
What will you learn?
- Your pupils will show a positive attitude towards maths and enjoy learning the subject
- You will demonstrate deeper subject knowledge and greater understanding of the principles behind teaching for mastery
- Your colleagues will begin to develop teaching for mastery approaches
- Your school will develop policies and systems which support a teaching for mastery approach
What is the cost?
The Primary Mastery Specialist Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participants and their schools.
Next Steps
Application have now closed for the 2025-26 programme. If you are interested in joining the programme, please register your interest for 2026/27.