Recent changes in the mathematics curriculum attempt to push mathematical education toward fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical thinking. For several years, the Maths Hubs have organised NCETM sponsored workgroups on Mathematical Thinking for GCSE, and as a result, there are now a number of teachers across the region who have been involved in developing activities to encourage mathematical thinking in their pupils in order to best prepare pupils for the demands of the GCSE. In this workgroup you will be looking at what mathematical thinking is, how it can be taught and how traditional questions can be adapted to engage pupils in thinking mathematically
This Developing Mathematical Thinking workgroup is suitable for all mathematics teachers; teachers new to the group and teachers who have participated in previous Mathematics Thinking workgroups (as the latter will have the opportunity to further develop the ideas from previous sessions).

Being involved in this Workgroup means being part of a team of other maths teachers, to work together to develop your understanding of mathematics and your professional practice. It also involves a commitment to work with colleagues in your department on the ideas explored in the workgroup sessions.

For this Workgroup there will be four face-to-face full day workshops to develop ideas for rethinking classroom practice. These will be practical planning opportunities, where we will be developing tasks for taking back to schools in between sessions. The aim is to trial new approaches and ideas in your own classroom and to support colleagues in your department.

We expect that the Work Group will produce a resource to help other teachers teach plan and develop opportunities for mathematical thinking.

What is involved?

• Four one-day workshops spread over three terms on the following dates:  Friday 8 November 2019, Friday 13 December 2019, Friday 7 February 2020 and Friday 27 March 2020.  
• Gap tasks between the workshops will include Lesson Study, allowing wider departmental participation in the professional development.
• As part of the professional development, there will be an evaluation process focussing on the impact of the Work Group.

Who is leading the Work Group?

The workgroup will be led by Peter Gates of the Centre for Research in Mathematics Education, School of Education, University of Nottingham.
However, the first session will be led by Prof John Mason of the Open University. John is internationally renowned for his work on mathematical thinking, something he has been working on for some 50 years. John will work exclusively with the group to establish ways of working, strategies for thinking and supporting pupils.

Expectations of participants and their schools
• Schools will need to commit to the release of the same nominated teacher(s) for all face-to-face workshops and to support them in the gap tasks.
• Meeting time should be provided for the nominated teacher(s) to share with their wider department the new, useful learning and ideas arising from attending the work group
• The department will also support the participating teachers to summarise the impact of their workgroup participation as part of the professional development and Work Group evaluation.

Funding
The Work Group is offered free to all state-funded secondary schools in England.

Please complete the form below to request a place.