Guidance

Leading primary mathematics national professional qualification

A course to help teachers learn how to use mastery approaches and teach maths effectively.

Applies to England

Who this course is for

This course is for:

  • teachers and leaders with responsibility for leading maths across a primary key-stage or school, or those who want to have this responsibility 
  • teachers familiar with mastery approaches to teaching primary maths, who want to improve leadership skills in this area 
  • school subject leaders already engaged in the primary Teaching for Mastery programme or similar programme

Overview

This one-year course will help you to:

  • embed mastery approaches to teaching maths in your school
  • lead your school to teach maths effectively, working collaboratively with senior leaders and teachers

This course will:

  • take 12 months to complete 
  • involve an average of 1 to 2 hours of study each week 
  • be a mix of self-study and group sessions 
  • have a written assessment 
  • start in autumn 2024

Funding

Funding to cover the course fees for this NPQ is available for teachers and school leaders in state-funded settings in England.

Eligibility 

Before applying for this NPQ (National Professional Qualification), you should have a secure understanding of mastery approaches to teaching maths from the Teaching for Mastery programme, or an equivalent programme. 

Course content 

Develop a school culture with a positive attitude to maths 

You’ll learn how pupils learn maths, so you can develop systems which help children: 

  • overcome maths anxiety 
  • build resilience 
  • develop problem-solving strategies 

You’ll learn how to create a culture of high expectations where teachers: 

  • challenge and motivate pupils 
  • give pupils high quality feedback 

Design and introduce maths curriculums 

You’ll learn how to design maths curriculums and develop the leadership skills to help you introduce them, including how to: 

  • identify the maths knowledge that pupils need 
  • help pupils make connections between maths facts and concepts 
  • identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge and make changes accordingly 
  • plan curriculum changes so that teachers are supported 

Support maths teachers in your school 

You’ll learn techniques to help you support the teaching of maths, including techniques to help teachers: 

  • plan and sequence lessons so that pupils can build their knowledge 
  • support inclusion of pupils, for example by ensuring that the starting point is accessible to all 
  • manage their workload, for example by sharing approaches to marking work 
  • understand and use consistent maths vocabulary 

Course structure 

The course includes 10 topics, outlined in the course framework. Providers use this framework to design their course. 

The course includes: 

  • independent study 
  • group coaching 
  • face-to-face sessions with other participants 

You’ll need to spend 1 to 2 hours a week working on this NPQ

If you can, you should do this during work hours in career development time. 

Providers 

You can train for this NPQ with one of the following providers: 

They work with delivery partners, such as teaching school hubs, to provide training. 

Assessment 

To get your NPQ accreditation you’ll need to complete the course and pass a written assessment (1,500 words). 

Apply 

Learn how to apply for an NPQ.

Published 20 September 2023
Last updated 21 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. Updated with details of the course due to start in autumn 2024.

  2. Updated information in the 'Apply' section as the application window is now open. Applicants can register and learn how to apply for an NPQ.

  3. First published.