An essential aim of the NCETM and the Maths Hubs Network is to provide opportunities for all practitioners of maths to benefit from high-quality collaborative professional development (PD). The NCETM Professional Development Lead Programme is needed as part of a wider strategy to support the development of local leaders of maths education (LLMEs) across the network. This programme facilitates those designing and leading maths PD to critically reflect on their practice. It is expected that all LLMEs gain this accreditation, to support consistency around core principles of high-quality PD across the network. This complements the other LLME development programmes: Primary, Secondary, and FE Mastery Specialists, and the NCETM School Development Lead Programme.
This is an accredited programme that is run in phase-specific cohorts across the country (Early Years, primary, secondary, post-16 and FE), with participants securing sponsorship from their local hub. Participants on this programme will join a regional cohort led by two Cohort Leads, for the equivalent of three days.
The programme is structured around five core questions which enable participants to reflect on the design of maths teacher professional development which leads to impacts on pupil learning. Alongside the sessions, participants design and lead a maths teacher professional development programme. Participants maintain an online Accreditation Evidence Document (AED) which requires them to critically reflect on their own learning as a Professional Development Lead. The AED is periodically shared with the Cohort Lead, which, with full attendance, forms the basis of successful accreditation.
In addition, participants may opt to undertake formal academic assessment at Master’s level associated with this programme, in order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Practice in Mathematics from the University of Chester. This is a 60-credit award, and there are recognised progression routes to Postgraduate Diploma or to MA, for those who might wish to take their studies further in the future.
