What is mastery and why is it so important?

We say that a child has mastered riding a bike. It simply means that they can now do it without thinking about it. You can achieve a mastery level in Maths by being so secure with the skills that you can use them without having to think about it too much.

Mastering maths means pupils acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject therefore building on solid foundations which do not need to be retaught.

The class work together on the same key teaching point, whilst at the same time challenging and supporting pupils to gain depth of understanding and proficiency. Challenge is provided by going deeper rather than accelerating into new mathematical content.

Concrete and pictorial representations are chosen carefully to help build procedural and conceptual knowledge together.

Possible solutions are shared, analysed and discussed to deepen understanding ‘The answer is only the beginning’.

Precise questioning during lessons ensures that pupils develop fluent technical proficiency and think deeply about the underpinning mathematical concepts.

Key ideas and building blocks are important for everyone.