England

Special Initiatives in Mathematics and Science Education

In 2015, there was a drive to recruit more teachers of mathematics and science by attracting former teachers to return to the classroom and attracting workers in industry or other related employment to retrain and move into teaching. The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL), part of the DfE, has a wide-ranging remit that includes support for schools to develop and provide high quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and leadership training for teachers.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curriculum subjects have their own CPD training, which includes:

• Improving subject expertise and/or pedagogical subject knowledge
• Undertaking collaborative work and/or research with colleagues in subject departments of schools or with colleagues in professional associations

Support for teachers in delivering the revised National Curriculum 2014 is provided by the following professional associations:

• The National Centre for the Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics²² (NCETM) has developed resources, and the DfE has established 35 Mathematics Hubs, coordinated by the NCETM, to support schools in all aspects of mathematics instruction focused on implementing the new curriculum.^d
• The National Science Learning Network (NSLN) provides science subject-specific CPD for teachers and technicians and offers a range of bursaries to support study.
• The National STEM Centre provides access to materials to support the teaching of primary and secondary mathematics, as well as guidance on primary and secondary science programs of study and practical science.

Support is targeted to improve the quality of teaching and student attainment, and to inspire students in order to develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians.