Welcome to the new term, whenever it started for you!

Given the variety of holiday arrangements across the country, we’re starting this issue with a summary of fresh items published on our website in the last few weeks. They’re all to be found in the new Features section of the website

• Seven resources for GCSE maths revision lessons
• An effective model for collaborative planning in maths
• Teaching telling the time: a non-standard approach
• Improving maths in multi-academy trusts by engaging with Maths Hubs
• How variation has changed my teaching
• Outstanding schools, Ofsted and mastery.

Schools or colleges sought to lead three new Maths Hubs

The Department for Education (DfE) is looking for schools (primary or secondary) or colleges to take the lead role in three new Maths Hubs, covering areas in the West Midlands (Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry), the East of England (Essex, Southend and Thurrock), and the South West/South East border (Wiltshire, Swindon, West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest).

The three new hubs will join the successful Maths Hubs Network, currently comprising 35 Maths Hubs across England. This will rise to 37 in September 2019, when an additional two hubs in the North West, where lead schools have already been appointed, will start work. By 2020, there will be 40 Maths Hubs supporting mathematics teaching.

Briefing meetings will be held for interested schools next week, and the closing date for applications is Thursday 16 May.

Find out more

In brief

• The DfE has published two short information videos about changes coming to primary schools in 2020: baseline testing to replace KS1 SATs and Y4 times table check.
• National Numeracy is promoting National Numeracy Day on 15 May, and they’re looking for champions to support this. They’ve put together a toolkit of activities and support materials, and you can sign up on the National Numeracy Day website.
• The STEM Clubs Programme is offering new STEM Exploration Grants of £250, to help schools enrich student learning and enhance both enjoyment and participation in STEM subjects via extra-curricular STEM Clubs. The application deadline is 30 April.
• If your students are interested in science as well as maths, you may like to look into the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition this July, where students can speak to researchers and find out about real-world applications of maths and science.

Please do contact us if you have any comments on this newsletter.

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