Beyond the maths classroom: how trusts can support teacher professionalism

School leaders bear the responsibility of pupil achievement and attainment, but they also have the power to support the professional and personal development of teachers. With teacher recruitment and retention an enduring challenge, we examine how some trusts are tackling these issues, and explore insights from Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, on the role teacher professionalism can play.

Maths leadership: The Maths MAT Leaders Community

One of the ways the NCETM supports trusts is through the Maths MAT Leaders Community, a dynamic and growing community of over 90 trust leaders who oversee mathematics education in more than 1,300 schools across England. These leaders are part of an inspiring initiative led by the NCETM through the Maths Hubs Programme, aimed at transforming maths teaching and learning at scale.

What sets this initiative apart is its grounding in real-world experience. Trust leaders are central to the project coordination team, ensuring that every aspect of the work is shaped by those who live and breathe the challenges and opportunities of leading maths across multi-academy trusts (MATs). This collaboration fosters a unique professional learning environment where trust leaders come together three times a year to share insights, reflect on their practice and challenge their thinking.

These meetings provide more than just a platform for discussion—they are spaces where trust leaders articulate their vision, exchange experiences and forge meaningful professional relationships. By drawing on research, exploring both successes and challenges, and learning from each other’s journeys, the community is building a collective expertise to improve maths education for thousands of pupils and teachers across England.

Professor Dame Alison Peacock (CEO of The Chartered College of Teaching) presenting at the Maths MAT Leaders Community Forum in London, 2024

Exploring professionalism: Insights from the Chartered College of Teaching

This year, inspired by the Chartered College of Teaching’s report, Revisiting the Notion of Teacher Professionalism (Müller and Cook, 2024), the community is exploring the concept of professionalism and how it can be nurtured within MATs. The report emphasises the transformative impact of elevating and sustaining teacher professionalism—not only on recruitment and retention but also on student outcomes.

At the first community gathering of the year in London, Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, delivered a powerful keynote. She encouraged trust leaders to consider their influence on teacher professionalism in the postmodern professional age, framing it through cognitive, ethical, legal and social domains. At the heart of all these domains is professional development and teacher identity. She emphasised that high-quality CPD is central to teacher effectiveness, job satisfaction and retention—core elements of professionalism.

Reflecting on the critical role of trust leaders, Alison noted: ‘Teacher professionalism is about elevating the role of teachers as knowledgeable, skilled and respected experts. When trust leaders recognise and foster this, they’re not just supporting their schools—they’re ensuring their teachers feel valued, empowered, and committed to a long, fulfilling career in education.’ 

Collaboration in action

The Maths MAT Leaders Community stands as a rare and invaluable opportunity for leaders of maths within MATs to learn from one another’s experiences, exploring both the challenges and successes that come with leading maths at scale.

‘When trust leaders collaborate,’ Alison remarked, ‘they create a ripple effect – empowering teachers within their trusts with the shared expertise, insight and resources to grow professionally and personally. This collective professionalism fosters an environment where every teacher feels supported, and every pupil benefits.’

Professor Dame Alison Peacock (CEO of The Chartered College of Teaching), together with trust leaders of maths from Outwood Grange Academy Trust (Kathryn Greenhalgh), Co-op Academies Trust (Jay Timotheus) and Cabot Learning Trust (Carrie Martin)

The role of teacher professionalism in retention and recruitment

Teacher professionalism extends far beyond classroom responsibilities. It embodies a commitment to continuous learning, high standards and meaningful collaboration. The Chartered College of Teaching’s report underscores a clear connection: greater teacher professionalism leads to higher job satisfaction, which, in turn, drives recruitment and retention.

In an era where recruitment challenges persist, the Maths MAT Leaders Community is harnessing this evidence to shape MAT-wide professional development strategies. By prioritising professionalism, trust leaders are cultivating a motivated and stable workforce, ensuring the best outcomes for teachers and pupils.

Alison has frequently highlighted the importance of teacher agency, stating: ‘Teachers who feel a sense of agency over their practice and their learning are more likely to stay in the profession.’ (Peacock, 2023). This insight aligns closely with the work of the Maths MAT Leaders Community, which promotes the empowerment of teachers and creation of environments where their professionalism can flourish.

The vision ahead

The NCETM’s support for the Maths MAT Leaders Community reflects a shared vision: embedding teacher professionalism in the culture of maths education across England. By championing the professional skills and identity of their teachers, trust leaders are shaping a future defined by teaching excellence, job satisfaction and stability.

As these leaders continue to build on their collective expertise, their influence will ripple across thousands of schools, positively impacting pupils and teachers alike. Together, the NCETM and the Chartered College of Teaching are fostering a landscape where collaboration, professionalism and shared purpose guide maths education—values that will sustain and shape its future.