Inspire Maths

Intervention description

Inspire Maths is a mastery-based approach to teaching mathematics for primary school children. It consists of both a textbook series and a pedagogical approach. Inspire Maths emphasises the teaching of maths through multiple representations of mathematical concepts, and focuses on developing pupils’ mastery of fundamental mathematical principles and reasoning skills in order to provide a secure foundation for future learning. The approach involves frequent and varied use of manipulatives in lessons, an emphasis on depth over breadth, and teachers’ use of a variety of questioning techniques (including higher-order questions). It is also intended to promote inclusion within classrooms because it emphasises full-class instruction and mixed ability grouping.

Inspire Maths is provided by Oxford University Press and is the UK edition of ‘My Pals Are Here!’, which has been used widely in Singapore. Resources are available as part of Inspire Maths including pupil textbooks, practice books, teacher’s guides, pupil assessment books and online implementation guidance.

Professional development/training

Professional development is available for schools looking to introduce Inspire Maths, either as introductory workshops or 5-day training courses.

Evidence Summary

Inspire Maths was evaluated by the University of Oxford in 2016, but the evaluation did not meet the quality needed to change its evidence rating.