Who can take part?

Participants should be experienced primary practitioners with the capacity to lead change in their own schools, and to develop as leaders of professional development in other schools. Their headteachers commit to supporting them and to developing teaching for mastery in their schools.

What is involved?

The Mastery Specialist Programme is for primary teachers with a passion for maths. In the first year of the programme, three residentials – one in each term – provide an opportunity to develop understanding the Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery in depth, and to focus on the specialist subject knowledge required to design lessons that unfold the maths for all children.

Between residentials, as a classroom teacher, specialists will be able to apply their learning to the context of their own classroom and school, reflecting with others what the impact of learning has been on pupils.

What will you learn?

Mastery Specialists are classroom-based practitioners who develop expertise in mastery and in leading maths-specific professional development.

• Your pupils will show a positive attitude towards maths and enjoy learning the subject
• You will demonstrate deeper subject knowledge and greater understanding of the principles behind teaching for mastery
• Your colleagues will begin to develop teaching for mastery approaches
• Your school will develop policies and systems which support a teaching for mastery approach

What is the cost?

The Primary Mastery Specialist Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme, so is free to participating schools/colleges.

How do I sign up?

Applications are open for 2026/27. Please make sure you read the Information Sheet carefully before you apply, and us with any queries. The application window closes on 23 April 2026.

Want to know more?

This short video tells us more about how Mastery Specialists are trained and what their role involves: