Intervention details

Home > Search results > Mathematics Mastery

Mathematics Mastery

Moderate for Primary maths
Limited for Secondary maths
UK 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
No. of studies 1
No. of students 4,176
Average effect size +0.10
Limited for Secondary maths
No. of studies 1
No. of students 5,938
Average effect size +0.06

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/

Key stages

  • Early Years
  • Key Stage 1
  • Key Stage 2
  • Key Stage 3
  • Key Stage 4
  • Post 16

Cost

£131 per pupil per year (primary), £50 per pupil per year (secondary)

Join our mailing list

Enter your name and email address to join our mailing list. By subscribing, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.

Can you spare 1 minute to complete our survey?

We'd appreciate it if you can spare one minute of your time to answer a few questions. Your feedback will help us understand how you use the website, and enable us to make improvements.

Take our short survey I don't want to help