Teachers 'largely confident of benefits of maths mastery'
The majority of UK teachers have been convinced of the benefits to be achieved by adopting a mastery-based approach to maths teaching.
TES has published the findings of a survey it conducted involving 1,100 teachers, finding that six in ten teachers believe that using the maths mastery teaching approach will raise pupils' engagement with the subject, while half have seen attainment levels rise since they adopted the method.
Moreover, the benefits of maths mastery appear to also be felt by staff themselves, with more than 80 per cent saying they feel more confident in their ability to teach since adopting the method.
Maths mastery is a teaching approach that is widely used in East Asian regions such as Singapore and Shanghai, which are generally known for their high standards of attainment in mathematics. It involves pupils working on the same lesson content at the same time, remaining focused on the same part of the curriculum until all members have grasped the concept in question.
Helen Drury, executive director of the Mathematics Mastery professional development programme, said that mastery provides an opportunity to foster "much deeper learning" than the high-stakes testing culture that currently prevails within many schools.
She explained: "Taking more time in the first place so students understand a concept, and then building on that - it just works."
The government is currently investing £41 million over four years to support mastery in mathematics through a network of mastery specialist teachers, with an Oxford University study last year demonstrating that this method can be effective among British students.
Maths textbooks originally developed for use in China are also being translated and brought to the UK in an effort to help British schools emulate the high standards of maths attainment seen in many Asian countries.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£170 - 250 per day
Location free text
Croydon
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Croydon
Description
Primary School Teachers – Croydon & Surrounding Areas Location: Croydon & Surrounding Areas Pay: £170 – £250 per day PAYE Roles Available: Daily Supply, Guaranteed Work, Long-Term & Permanent Hours:
Reference
Flexible teachers
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£170 - 250 per day
Location free text
Croydon
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Croydon
Description
Primary School Teacher – Guaranteed Work Available Location: Croydon & Surrounding Areas Pay: £170 – £250 per day PAYE Roles: Daily Supply, Guaranteed Work, Long-Term & PermanentQualified Primary Tea
Reference
Flexible Teaching
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£92 - 100 per day
Location free text
Wakefield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wakefield
Description
Teaching AssistantTeaching Personnel are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to join our Wakefield Primary Schools. This position will pay £92-£110 per day.We are seeking an enthusiastic and relia
Reference
FT TA Wakefield
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
West Yorkshire PrimaryAuthor
West Yorkshire PrimarySalary
£92 - 100 per day
Location free text
Leeds
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
Teaching AssistantTeaching Personnel are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to join our Leeds Primary Schools. This position will pay £92-£110 per day.We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable
Reference
FT Leeds TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
West Yorkshire PrimaryAuthor
West Yorkshire PrimarySalary
£92 - 100 per day
Location free text
Harrogate
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Harrogate
Description
Teaching AssistantTeaching Personnel are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to join our Harrogate Primary Schools. This position will pay £92-£110 per day.We are seeking an enthusiastic and relia
Reference
FT Harrogate TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
West Yorkshire PrimaryAuthor
West Yorkshire PrimarySalary
£92 - 100 per day
Location free text
Bradford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
Teaching AssistantTeaching Personnel are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to join our Bradford Primary Schools. This position will pay £92-£110 per day.We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliab
Reference
FT TA Bradford
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
West Yorkshire PrimaryAuthor
West Yorkshire PrimarySalary
£92 - 100 per day
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Hull
Description
Teaching AssistantTeaching Personnel are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to join our Hull Primary Schools. This position will pay £92-£110 per day.We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable c
Reference
FT HULL TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
West Yorkshire PrimaryAuthor
West Yorkshire PrimarySalary
£120 - 200 per day
Location free text
Stoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
West Midlands
Description
Aspiring Teacher – Gain Classroom Experience Before Teacher Training Stoke-on-Trent | Staffordshire | Secondary Schools Location: Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Pay rate: £120+ per day Start Date: AS
Reference
Aspiring Teacher -
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Hull
Description
1:1 Tutor - Hull (HU1) Teaching Personnel are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced 1:1 Tutor to support pupils across Hull (HU1) through personalised tuition sessions.This rewarding role in
Reference
25/9-Tutor-HU1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Manchester
Description
Maths and English Tutor - Manchester (M2) Maths and English Tutor - Manchester (M2)Teaching Personnel are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Maths and English Tutor to provide 1:1 tuitio
Reference
25/9-Maths/Eng-M2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year, we w
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job