Apply now for 2025/26
Applications should be submitted by 5pm on 14 March 2025
Want to become a specialist in teaching for mastery and support your own and other schools to develop teaching for mastery approaches?
Join the Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme 2025/26. During the programme you will receive fully funded professional development from experts, have time to develop your own expertise, and then to support others.
Learn what's involved in the application process by downloading this information document.
Hear from a teacher who has been part of the programme as he explains how teaching for mastery has revolutionised the way he teaches, and had a positive impact on his students.
Who can take part?
Any teacher (excluding ECTs) who is teaching maths in a state-funded secondary school in England and who wishes to develop both their own classroom practice and their skills in leading professional development with others can apply to become a Secondary Mastery Specialist.
What is involved?
The Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme enables secondary maths teachers to become experts in teaching for mastery, so they in turn can develop maths departments that are well-led, high-performing, and provide high-quality professional development through collaborative working.
Over a minimum of three years, participants first work on their own understanding and practice, then with their own department, then with other departments as a Local Leader of Maths Education for their Maths Hub.
All the time, you keep in touch with other specialists across the country in online groups. You can share experiences and continue developmental conversations.
To support you in developing your role as a leader of professional development you will be enrolled in the NCETM’s PD Lead Programme during the second year of the Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme.
Find out more on the web page.
And take a look at the Mastery Specialist Programme in more detail in this diagram.
What will you learn?
The benefits for schools that apply to be part of the programme include:
• the department developing a curriculum informed by a clear set of principles, policies, practices and systems which support a teaching for mastery approach, as set out in the 2021 DfE Key Stage 3 non-statutory guidance
• the teachers in the department (including the specialist) developing a deep understanding of the principles and pedagogies underpinning teaching for mastery, and acquiring enhanced maths subject knowledge with a particular emphasis on progression within key areas of maths
• the growth of teachers’ collaborative work, through which planning, teaching and assessment practices are developed
• the specialist developing their own understanding and practice in supporting collaborative professional development within and beyond school
• the department making effective use of materials and resources, including textbooks, to support the design of well-crafted lessons.
Developing teaching for mastery approaches takes time and is not a ‘quick fix’, but the ultimate goal is that students develop a deep understanding of the mathematical ideas they are taught so that they fully meet the aims of the national curriculum; show a positive attitude towards maths and demonstrate a growth mindset, leading to improved outcomes.
What is the cost?
The Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
Next Steps
Apply directly via the link below, or get in touch with us if you have any queries. Applications should be submitted by 5pm on 14 March 2025.