Securing Foundations at Year 7

Discover ways to help students who need additional support to make good progress in KS3 and beyond

Who can take part?

This opportunity is for teachers working with those Year 7 students who have not met age-related expectations in maths, particularly students whose attainment is in the bottom 20-30% of the national cohort at the end of KS2. It is suitable for experienced or novice teachers. There is an expectation that participants’ subject leaders attend their local Secondary Maths Subject Leaders Community.

This diagram shows a school's journey towards mastery (click here to show a larger version with more detail to determine where your school's journey starts).

What is involved?

Participants are expected to attend the equivalent of three full days of workshops, and to complete school-based tasks between sessions.

Workshops will be a blend of national and local sessions, and online and in-person provision.

The centrally-produced resources are designed to support teachers and focus on the foundations of mathematical understanding.

Each set of resources has a different focus, adapting the most relevant parts of the support available for KS2 teachers so that they build on students’ prior knowledge and prepare them for their study in KS3.

The resources comprise both classroom-facing slides and teacher guidance.

Participants who actively engage with the teacher guidance and supporting materials will benefit most.

Teachers are encouraged to generalise the pedagogical strategies they explore as part of this project, and embed them in their practice more widely, to meet the needs of all students.

For all participant schools there is also an expectation that the subject leader participates in a subject leader community (NCP26-15).

What are the intended outcomes?

Student outcomes

Students will:

develop a deep and connected understanding of the maths they are learning
think reason and discuss their maths in order to deepen their understanding
make progress such that they are better able to access a suitable KS3 curriculum
develop confidence with, and a positive attitude to, maths

Practice Whole-school/departmental policies and approaches

Participants will work with their school/subject leaders to:

share a common vision, culture and set of principles which align with those in the NCETM’s Essence of Mathematics Teaching for Mastery
ensure that relevant teachers and support staff engage with the materials
ensure flexibility in the KS3 scheme of work so that suitable adaptations can be made to ensure accessibility and progress for all students.

Practice development

Participants will

develop classroom practices aligned to those in the NCETM’s Essence of Mathematics Teaching for Mastery
practise strategies and refine their practice to best support students who did not meet age-related expectations (ARE) at the end of KS2
consider approaches which support all students to reason mathematically and develop a deep and connected understanding of the maths they are learning.

Professional learning

Participants will:

work as part of a professional learning community to reflect on their approaches, deepen their understanding about effective approaches, and refine their practice
develop an understanding of pedagogic approaches consistent with teaching for mastery
develop an understanding of the KS1 and KS2 curriculum content, with a particular emphasis on key concepts
share their knowledge and understanding with appropriate members of their department.

What is the cost?

The Securing Foundations at Year 7 project is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

How can I get involved?

To reserve your place on this Work Group during 26/27, please complete the form below and we will be in touch (subject to availability) when we have further details.