A teacher from Swindon's Gorse Hill Primary School has been selected to take part in a prestigious teacher exchange, focusing on mathematics, with a partner school in Shanghai.
Suzanne Mathews is one of 70 specialist maths teachers from schools across England taking part in an exchange as part of the Maths Hubs programme. Gorse Hill Primary School, part of The White Horse Federation Multi-Academy Trust, is working with the Boolean Maths Hub, based in Bristol.
Suzanne said: "“I feel very privileged to be going to Shanghai – it is a rare a special opportunity and I am very excited about it. I’ve been teaching maths for 14 years and I’ve been at Gorse Hill School for 5 years. Personally, I know it will be a great experience, I am hoping to learn much about the way the Chinese teachers approach different topics in maths. I think it is vital that children are engaged with maths – a good foundation in maths is important in so many areas of life, whether it be knowing whether you have a good deal at the shops or giving you access to a career in subjects like science or engineering (or even teaching!).”
The purpose of the exchange is to develop the understanding and implementation of mastery approaches to teaching maths.
In July last year, the School Standards Minister, Nick Gibb, announced £41m of funding for the Teaching for Mastery programme over the next four school years.
The group of teachers, all of whom completed the Mastery Specialists programme within their Maths Hubs last year, will be visiting Shanghai in the first half of September this year, and hosting their partner teachers from Shanghai in English schools in during November or in some cases early 2018.
There are 35 Maths Hubs, spread across England, each led by a school with a record of high achievement in maths and of supporting improvements in maths teaching and learning in neighbouring schools.
This is the fourth teacher exchange with schools in Shanghai since the Maths Hubs programme was launched in autumn 2014.
Alison Capstick, Head of Teaching and Learning, The White Horse Federation said: “The White Horse Federation is delighted that Suzanne has this opportunity to explore the teaching of mathematics in Shanghai as a result of working so closely with the Boolean Maths Hub. She is an excellent ambassador for the teaching profession and will bring a wealth of knowledge back to disseminate in Swindon”.
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