Teacher Professional Development with Emeritus Professors - John Mason and Anne Watson

Mr Okoh (NPQSL training & NCETM PD Maths lead), collaborating with other leading local Primary and Secondary schools set up a unique initiative, to create a community of primary and secondary maths and science teachers, local teacher trainers and university educators working on rich mathematical tasks and seeing how such tasks raise the bar on expectations across the attainment range, leading to better outcomes for students but also supporting teachers in understanding the deeper structures and connections in the subject.
The idea was to enhance subject knowledge through engaging in the tasks with their fellow teachers and engaging with key mathematical ideas at a deep level. Experiencing the struggles involved in learning helped teachers to understand the challenges their students face and to offer appropriate prompts and questions to support learning.
The event was held at Preston Manor School on the 30th September.
Speakers and leaders on the day were:
Anne Watson (emeritus professor of mathematics education, University of Oxford ) - was on the government panel which wrote the new primary programme of study and has been closely involved in developing curriculum provision at secondary level as well.
John Mason (emeritus professor of mathematics education, Open University) – worked on teacher education and development across the world and his approach has informed developments in many successful professional development initiatives, including the primary MaST programme..
Dr. Jenni Back (past associate director for Primary, NCETM) - worked in professional development for teachers as well as task development through the NRICH project and the Nuffield funded ‘Making Numbers’ project.