Teaching maths in a special school

In either a special school or a mainstream setting, no two pupils with special needs have the same abilities or difficulties. A secondary maths lead in a special school explains how she and her colleagues adapt maths teaching so that all pupils can engage and learn, and tells us about a Maths Hub Work Group which focuses on ways to teach maths to pupils with SEND.

Show notes

Taking part in the discussion are:

Sophie Cocker, secondary maths lead at Ravenshall School, a special school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

Beth Goodliff, NCETM Communications Manager.

Episode chapters

01:02 – The characteristics of the pupils at Ravenshall School and how these shape teaching

01:46 – Pupils’ starting points in the maths classroom

02:44 – Semi-formal classroom settings and finding ‘mathematical moments’

03:26 – What a maths lesson might look like, and cross-curricular maths activities

06:59 – Sophie’s experience of moving from a mainstream maths PGCE to teaching maths in a special school, and engaging with her local Maths Hub

10:16 – Making elements of teaching for mastery work in a special school

12:41 – The manipulatives and resources used

15:04 – Training other teachers in the school to teach maths

17:16 – Taking part in, and leading, a Work Group exploring maths teaching in special schools

22:02 – Plans for the Work Group this year

Useful links

West Yorkshire Maths Hub

Information about teaching for mastery on the NCETM website

Information about the Maths Hubs Network across England and all the CPD opportunities Maths Hubs offer