Is someone in your school a non-specialist who would like to increase their confidence in teaching maths?

Will they be teaching at least one year 8 maths class (for at least 50% of the students’ maths lessons)?

We are delighted to let you know that in addition to the programme being free, we are now also able to offer a generous financial incentive to schools who take part, as this programme has now been selected to be part of a national EEF research trial.

What is involved?

Starting in Autumn 2025, the programme is designed to support non-specialist teachers teaching maths in a secondary school to develop specialist knowledge for teaching mathematics.

The programme focuses on the subject knowledge, pedagogy and classroom practice required to teach maths with skill and confidence – thus enabling teachers to better understand, teach and support pupils in maths in the classroom.

The programme is aligned with an overall Teaching for Mastery approach designed to develop maths teaching in schools.

What does the programme cover?

As a participant on the SKTM Secondary Non-specialist Programme you will:

• explore and increase your use of a range of pedagogic approaches consistent with teaching for mastery 
• increase your confidence in planning for progression in maths. 
• improve your subject and curriculum knowledge of secondary maths

This programme has 18 core sessions (an introductory session then 17 sessions exploring each of the NCETM KS3 core concepts), and is designed to be the equivalent of 6 days. 

Who can take part?

To participate, schools must meet the following criteria:

• Be a state-funded secondary school or college within England
• Have a non-specialist teacher, who has not undertaken Initial Teacher Training in mathematics and is teaching at least one Year 8 class (if the class is shared, the non-specialist teacher needs to teach at least 50% of the lessons)
• Be able to release the non-specialist teacher for six days of training sessions
• Not be taking part in EEF’s research trials on “Peer to Peer Coaching” or “Making Fluent and Flexible Calculations (HFL education)” in the same period of time.

What is the cost?

The SKTM Secondary Non-Specialists Programme is fully funded by Maths Hubs, so is free to participating schools.

The trial will be a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). Through the random allocation, schools will either be chosen to be part of the ‘Intervention group’ or the ‘Control group’. Those chosen for the ‘Intervention group will receive £500 and take part in the training during 2025/26. Schools chosen for the ‘Control group’ will receive £1000 and will get a priority place on the programme for 2026/27.

Find out more…

What does the 2023 Ofsted report, ‘Coordinating Mathematical Success’, say about non-specialist teachers of maths?

Here about the SKTM Secondary Non-specialist Programme on this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast

“From attending the programme, the non-specialist teacher’s confidence in his maths and the teaching of maths has improved. The expectations of his students are now higher. During lessons, subject-specific language is being used by students and they are expected to explain their methods using this language. Manipulatives and representations are a regular feature of the teacher’s lessons and this has supported students in understanding the structure of the maths”

– Karen, Head of Maths Department