Fife Council: No problem

Summary

This was a cross-sector (primary/secondary) project with a focus on expectation, continuity and progression in numeracy, and providing support for teachers of numeracy. The main areas of development were improving teachers’ questioning skills, in particular framing questions, using pupils’ responses to further learning and creating a supportive climate. The development of simple non-textbook resources to support learning was a key element of the project. Teachers were trained in the use of Cognitive Accelerated Mathematics Education (CAME) material.

Schools involved

Kirkcaldy High School is a secondary school of approximately 1200 pupils with 11 teachers in the Maths department, including one probationer teacher and one teacher with a background in the primary sector. Valley Primary School has approximately 280 pupils, 12 teaching staff and various support teachers and assistants.

Agreeing the focus of the project

The focus of the project was agreed at an initial meeting between Fife Council's Numeracy Development Officer, the Principal Teacher of Maths from Kirkcaldy High School and the Acting Depute from Valley Primary School. This was followed up by CPD sessions in Kirkcaldy High School Maths department focusing on ‘Effective Questioning in Maths’ and ‘Teaching Maths without a Textbook’.

Setting up a working group

A working group of teachers was set up within the Maths department. The remit of this group was to develop a bank of sample open questions to support teachers and to create simple resources which could be used as alternatives to textbook exercises to support learning. One member of staff from Kirkcaldy High School was released to develop simple interactive resources.

Modelling teaching styles and trialling resources

The Numeracy Development Officer taught classes at Kirkcaldy High School to model an open style of teaching and to trial some of the resources which had been created. Maths teachers observed these lessons and then developed the approaches in their own classes.

Alan Edmiston from Cognitive Accelerated Mathematics Education (CAME) spent three days in Kirkcaldy High School demonstrating the use of the CAME materials.

All classrooms in the Maths department have a class set of mini dry-wipe boards for pupil use. Teachers have been developing their use in lessons with support from the Principal Teacher and the Numeracy Development Officer.

Interactive whiteboards were installed in four maths classrooms during the period of the project and so some teachers were able to use these to support learning and teaching.

The ‘Effective Learning and Teaching Materials’ from Glasgow City Council will be purchased to add to the bank of material already created.

CPD sessions

CPD sessions were held at Valley Primary School focusing on ‘Effective Questioning in Maths’ and ‘Teaching Maths without a Textbook’. Alan Edmiston from CAME spent one day in Valley Primary School working with staff and pupils.

Key findings

From the outset this project was seen as the initial phase of ongoing developments in improving approaches to learning and teaching and embedding the philosophy of Curriculum for Excellence into the work of Valley Primary School P6/7 and Kirkcaldy High School Maths department.

Positive attitudes

All CPD sessions were evaluated very positively and plans were formulated which aimed to sustain the enthusiasm of staff and pupils.

Feedback from observed lessons suggested that there was a noticeable improvement in the engagement of many pupils in their learning.

Pupils’ attitudes were very positive, with all being keen to continue learning in this manner. Both staff and pupils at Kirkcaldy High School welcomed the opportunities to build positive relationships and develop the four capacities. In evaluations all pupils felt that working in a group made maths easier and helped them to make more progress. Anecdotally, pupils were asking frequently to ‘do cards instead of books’!

Continuing the project

The continuation of these developments forms part of the Improvement Plan for Kirkcaldy High School Maths department. Embedding the philosophy of Curriculum for Excellence, the move towards the effective use of AifL strategies and the focus on continuing professional development (CPD) are all well served by rolling out the work started in this project.

The working group at Kirkcaldy High School will continue its developments and will feed into similar developments at whole school level. New staff in the Maths department will be introduced to the materials by members of the working group and will have the opportunity to observe other teachers using the approaches being promoted.

Transition

The importance of the transition element of the project was always seen as being key and will remain so. Cross-sector observations and the opportunity for all teachers to work with pupils in the other sector will be built in to the transition programme in session 2007-08. Transition units of work with a focus on problem solving will provide a focus for this cross-sector working.

CPD

Kirkcaldy High School Maths department has recently taken delivery of the DfES ‘Improving Learning in Mathematics’ materials. These will be a focus for CPD over the next two sessions. They also provide a wealth of resources to support learning, and software which can be used to create activities.

An important development of this work is a move towards the meaningful discussion of learning and teaching approaches and the sharing of ideas and resources at Maths department meetings. The importance of providing ongoing CPD for staff is recognised and the Numeracy Development Officer will continue to provide this where appropriate.

Pupil engagement

The long-term aim of this project is to raise attainment in maths and to engage pupils fully in their learning. Close monitoring of pupils’ attitudes and attainment will take place as part of routine quality assurance procedures within the Maths department and across the whole school.

Conclusion

This project has provided a positive focus on learning and teaching approaches and has initiated a great deal of collaboration within the Maths department at Kirkcaldy High School. This has benefited pupils and staff in a number of ways, as outlined throughout this report. The focus will now be on sustaining the developments, moving forward with the implementation of these approaches at all stages and adding to the support materials available to teachers.

The work of the project naturally links with Curriculum for Excellence and AifL. In this respect the Maths department is now well placed to embrace these philosophies and approaches.

Open questions

You can download some examples of open questions in maths, as used in this project.