Want to become a specialist in teaching for mastery and support your own school to develop teaching for mastery approaches? Join the Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme. During the course of the programme you will receive fully-funded professional development from experts, have time to develop your own expertise, and then to support others.

Who can take part?

Any secondary maths teacher in state-funded schools in England with QTS and at least two years’ teaching experience who wishes to develop both their own classroom practice and their skills in leading professional development with others, can apply to become a Secondary Mastery Specialist.

Applicants should be committed to develop their own teaching and support improvement across their department.

What is involved?

The Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme enables secondary maths teachers to become experts in teaching for mastery, so they in turn can develop maths departments that are well-led, high-performing, and provide high-quality professional development through collaborative working.

This two-year programme supports secondary maths teachers to become experts in teaching for mastery and lead change within their schools.

Teachers will strengthen their classroom practice and learn how to support colleagues. They will explore the NCETM’s The Essence of Mathematics Teaching for Mastery, working closely with their subject leader to embed these approaches across the department. Participants will also complete the NCETM Professional Development Lead Programme, gaining the skills to lead effective CPD.

What will you learn?

• You will deepen classroom practice and help students build deep, connected mathematical understanding
• You will complete the NCETM PD Lead Programme and learn how to support colleagues through CPD
• You will take part in around 7.5 days of professional development, including workshops, school-based activity and collaborative planning
• You will observe teaching for mastery in other secondary and primary schools

Hear from Mastery Specialists in our videos below. Find out more about mastery in our case studies. And take a look at the Mastery Specialist Programme in more detail in this diagram.

What is the cost?

The Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme is fully-funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

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.