Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines how the School Improvement Service is supporting enhancing the teaching of mathematics in schools. The report explains the national and local context, comments on Ofsted expectations, provides an overview of the professional development support provided for enhancing the teaching of mathematics.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Alan Beswick on Tel: 474 3918 or email: alan.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining how the school improvement service was supporting enhancing the teaching of mathematics in schools. The report provides information in respect to the national and local context, Ofsted inspections and an overview of the professional development support provided for enhancing the teaching of mathematics.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Revisions to the national curriculum, introduced in September 2014, have increased the level of expectations in terms of what children should be able to demonstrate mathematically. In addition, at Key Stage 4, the new mathematics GCSE qualification, with greater vigour and additional content is being taught from September 2015 for the first award in Summer 2017.

·         Members noted that there had always been a significant level of support for Stockport teachers at all key stages in enhancing the teaching of mathematics. The subject has been, and remains, a key focus for consultant support and for school improvement advisor monitoring.

·         The School Improvement Team brokers support from local specialist leaders of education (SLEs) in mathematics who are commissioned to work with schools judged to require improvement.

·         Performance in maths for pupils at Key Stage 2 and particularly those in receipt of pupil premium.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.