Mathematics 11-16

Becoming a maths teacher offers the opportunity to become a guide, mentor, and facilitator of discovery, helping students navigate the complexities of numbers, patterns, and problem-solving strategies. Beyond teaching formulas and equations, you cultivate critical thinking skills, resilience, and a growth mindset essential for success in today’s world. By fostering a supportive learning environment, you inspire confidence and empower students to tackle challenges with confidence. As a maths teacher, you play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and leaders, making the journey both rewarding and brilliant.

Being a teacher of maths means you will support young people to: 

• develop the ability to reason mathematically;
• recognise the applications of mathematics in everyday life and make links to disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and develop financial literacy;
• develop numerical fluency;
• develop an analytical approach to problem solving;
• recognise the beauty of mathematics and develop enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

What are the key concepts that underpin our approach to the teaching of maths?

• Developing fluency in the fundamentals of mathematics to enable students to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately to problems
• Using pictorial, concrete and abstract representations to expose the structure of mathematical concepts and emphasise connections
• Reasoning mathematically to argue and justify mathematical decisions by identifying patterns and relationships, making generalisations, and developing proofs using mathematical language
• Solving problems to deepen understanding of concepts by breaking down into simpler steps and approaching with resilience and perseverance
• Applying knowledge to a variety of routine and non-routine problems
• Building on previous learning by taking small, logical steps which tease out and address misconceptions

The subject specialist sessions were invaluable. I still draw on many aspects of my learning in those sessions in my current practice today. My maths subject specialist was so knowledgeable and it was helpful to be able to ask any questions I had about the subject to them.

This course is built on an extensive research base in teaching maths and it is closely interwoven with our Central Curriculum Sessions as part of our overall Integrated Curriculum approach. Each year we review all aspects of our courses to ensure that they cover the most relevant components of the subject as well as introducing you to the most commonly taught ideas and concepts. Mentors and specialist teachers in our partnership schools also play a crucial role in reviewing the programme to ensure that it gives the very best preparation for becoming a great maths teacher.

Our carefully designed curriculum is structured so that you will have approximately one Subject Curriculum Session a week across the 2024-25 academic year. Alongside this, subject specificity is carefully woven throughout all aspects of the course, including the ongoing assessment process and the optional PGCE assignments, so that all content is relevant to you and your teaching. Subject Curriculum Sessions will develop on the ideas and theory raised in your general Central Curriculum Sessions so that you have expert guidance on how best to deliver strategies and techniques in your specific subject area. 

Our maths course prepares you to teach across the 11-16 age range, and you will be formally assessed in those key stages. In addition you will also have the opportunity to observe and teach KS5/ A level in at least one of your placements and your Subject Curriculum Sessions will include training that prepares you to teach KS5/ A level.

The links below will provide you with information about the curriculum and programmes of study for Key Stage 3 and 4 that schools are expected to deliver, these shape the content that your Subject Curriculum Sessions will cover, to ensure that you are able and confident to teach across the full range of topic areas included.

• Mathematics programmes of study KS3 national curriculum
• Mathematics GCSE (KS4) subject content

As well as introducing you to a wealth of relevant books, articles and research papers from our own resources and library, you will also have access to The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the leading professional bodies for maths teachers. 

Membership will be set up and arranged for you at the start of the course and your Subject Specialist will guide you on how best to use the resources, professional learning community and events from the association to support your subject development and the lessons that you will prepare and deliver. 

Since qualifying from Oxfordshire Teacher Training SCITT, Usman has worked as a maths teacher at Cheney School and Oxford Spires Academy. He is devoted to supporting teachers and has held a range of roles, including Deputy Head of Maths, Maths Work Group Lead, Early Career Framework Cluster Facilitator, and a Facilitator for the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching/ Teacher Development. Usman is an accredited Secondary Mastery Specialist and an NCETM Professional Development Lead.