Sir Robert Woodard Academy

This 30-minute interview features senior leaders from Sir Robert Woodard Academy, Lancing, Sussex. Kieran Scanlon became principal at Sir Robert Woodard Academy in September 2017. Natasha Corrigan became Assistant Principal and Curriculum Director (Maths) at the same time, moving from a high attaining school where teaching for mastery was well-advanced. She began training as a Mastery Specialist for Sussex Maths Hub in spring 2018. Phil Daniell became Curriculum Director (Maths) in May 2018, continuing the changes that Natasha had begun. In these interviews, they explain the importance of how their roles interplay to achieve their vision for maths at the school.

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• What led to the decision to adopt a teaching for mastery approach?
• Where did they start?
• How do the lessons look and feel different now?
• What is the impact on students?
• Are any groups of students particularly benefitting?
• Impact on recruitment, retention and the maths team
• How are high attaining students catered for?
• How are lower attaining students catered for?
• What structural changes have been made at department level?
• What structural changes have been made at school management level?
• Use of Mastery Specialist funding
• Importance of headteacher’s support
• Message to other HoDs
• Message to other senior leaders

If you want to know more about teaching for mastery, there is a wealth of information on our mastery pages.

[NB: if you want to show just one of these sections at a staff meeting or workshop where there isn’t a secure internet connection, we suggest you download the whole video, then, once downloaded, move the blue time bar along to the section you’re interested in, and press PLAY.]