Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme

Closing date for Cohort 10 2025/26 applications: 12th June 2025

The successful Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme is undergoing some changes which will make it more accessible to classroom teachers and will improve the programme’s impact within maths departments. Specialists and their departments have undergone transformations resulting in improved experiences and outcomes for their students, and there is now a desire for this training to be available to a much wider audience.

This is a fantastic opportunity for participants to improve maths education through teaching for mastery within their own schools, and also to develop their professional development and leadership skills. Becoming a Secondary Mastery Specialist now means that teachers will focus on their own development and that of their department. In future years, Specialists may wish to work with other schools, but this is no longer a requirement. 

What will participation in the programme involve?

Year 1: The emphasis will be on the lead teacher developing her/his knowledge, understanding and skills of teaching for mastery.

Year 1:  The emphasis will be on the lead teacher developing their knowledge, understanding and skills of teaching for mastery.  Alongside this, Specialists will receive three half-days of bespoke support from our hub’s secondary team. 

Year 2:  Participants will continue to develop their own classroom practices, but with a significant emphasis on developing the knowledge, skills and understanding of all members of their department. Alongside this they will explore, develop and implement department-wide approaches, structures and systems which support teaching for mastery. They will participate in sessions leading to accreditation as a Professional Development Lead.  Alongside this, Specialists will receive three half-days of bespoke support from our hub’s secondary team.

Year three and beyond: the Mastery Specialist and a school colleague will join a Teaching for Mastery Work Group, in order to continue to develop aspects of teaching for mastery across the department. In future years, where appropriate and convenient for their school, Secondary Mastery Specialists will be supported to lead provision with other schools. At this point, the Mastery Specialist will continue to be funded and supported in their development by the hub through the local leaders of mathematics education (LLME) community, as well as through the national Secondary Mastery programme.  

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

What is the funding of the programme?

The Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme is fully-funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

  • 2025-26: The Maths Hub will contribute to the funding of the 7.5 days’ release time for the nominated lead teacher.

  • 2026-27: The Maths Hub will contribute to the funding of the 7.5 days’ release time for the lead teacher.