Mathematics Mastery
Moderate
for Primary maths
Limited
for Secondary maths
Evaluated in the UK
Intervention description
Mathematics Mastery is a maths framework which is available either as a primary school or secondary school programme. Schools joining the primary programme are placed in a cluster of 4-6 schools, which becomes a support network. The primary programme has three key features: using objects and pictures, introducing mathematical vocabulary in a structured way, and problem solving. The secondary programme involves exploring fewer topics in greater depth through exploration and investigation, and also has a problem-solving focus. Interested schools should attend an information evening, and can then apply to join the partnership.
Professional development/training
The organisation provides training, then ongoing coaching and mentoring, school visits and access to online teaching and learning materials including weekly lesson guides. Primary schools are offered 3 full days of training (one for school leadership, one for the Mathematics Mastery school lead and teachers new to the programme, and one year group specific training session), plus 2 support visits and 3 local school cluster meetings.
Schools joining the secondary programme receive 2 full days of training (one for the whole maths department and one for the Maths Mastery school lead), plus an evening training event for heads and senior leaders, 2 support visits and 3 national cluster meetings held in London. Secondary schools are also asked to assign 1 hour per week for a departmental workshop exploring the upcoming maths in the curriculum.
Evidence Summary
The Education Endowment Foundation recently ran a project investigating the effectiveness of Mathematics Mastery, which found that it had a positive impact on maths at primary level, but showed insufficient evidence of impact on maths at secondary level.
The study found a mean effect size of +0.10 in primary maths and +0.06 in secondary maths.
Moderate
for Primary maths
Limited
for Secondary maths
Key research
It is unclear from the Education Endowment Foundation evaluation whether the programme had a different impact on pupils eligible for free school meals, or on pupils with higher or lower attainment. Given the low per-pupil cost, Mathematics Mastery may represent a cost-effective change for schools to consider.
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/mathematics-mastery/
Provider
Mathematics Mastery
Key stages
Practices
Cost
£131 per pupil per year (primary), £50 per pupil per year (secondary)