Further Education Mastery Specialists

Become a Mastery Specialist in Further Education


Who can take part?

The programme is for practitioners of post-16 GCSE Maths resit and/or Functional Skills Maths who are currently employed in a post-16 setting and regularly teaching maths to students aged 16-19 enrolled onto full-time Study Programmes under the government’s Condition of Funding policy. 

Participants must have at least two years’ experience teaching post-16 GCSE/FSQ maths, with the capacity to lead change within their own institutions. They may be based in FE colleges, Sixth Form colleges, or other post-16 settings.

Practitioners of post-16 GCSE Mathematics resit and/or Functional Skills Maths can become Mastery Specialists, initially developing their own teaching for mastery approaches, then supporting others to do the same


What is involved?

The programme has an initial training year, followed by a second year and beyond, in which specialists support others. It equips participants with the knowledge and skills to develop highly-effective approaches to the teaching of GCSE Maths resit and Functional Skills Maths, using the principles of teaching for mastery.

Please read this document for full information about the Post-16 GCSE/FSQ Mastery Specialist Programme programme. 


What will you learn?

  • Your students will develop a secure and connected understanding of the maths they are learning
  • Your students will report increased confidence in using maths
  • You will develop classroom practices aligned to the principles of teaching for mastery, as exemplified for the post-16 GCSE/FSQ sector
  • You will, over time, become part of the Maths Hubs LLME Community

During the first year, the emphasis will be on the lead teacher developing their knowledge, understanding and skills of teaching for mastery in their own establishment.

Upon completion of the first year of the programme, participants will join a collaborative cohort of Mastery Specialists according to their provision type. Participants will continue to develop teaching for mastery approaches in their own institutions, working with their colleagues whilst being supported by peers in the collaborative cohort.


What is the cost?

The Post 16 GCSE/FSQ Mastery Specialist Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating FE establishments.

Schools will receive funding to cover the participant's time out of school.

How can I get involved?

If you would like apply for the 2026/2027 Further Education Mastery Specialist Programme please click on the link below

Click here to apply for the 2026/2027 Further Education Mastery Specialist Programme