Mathematics Masterclass Days & Collaborative Projects
Our Head of Maths has hosted the same two masterclass days for a number of years, inviting City of London Academies and East London Consortium schools to attend.
During 2016-17 and 2017-18, members of the Maths department taught a Year 12 Maths lesson once a week to a group of seven pupils for 3 periods a week at The City Academy, Hackney. In addition, a member of staff worked at City of London Academy Shoreditch Park for three periods a week, supporting the Head of Maths and teaching extraction groups from Year 7. More recently, in Summer 2022, pupils from three secondary academies within our Family of Schools visited a Maths masterclass at CLSG.
The teacher also organised an enrichment day at City of London School for Girls (CLSG) for the students she had been working with. This work was carried forward by another member of staff in 2018-19, who on alternate weeks took the best 12 mathematicians from each half of the year out of PSHE time to practise UKMT style questions. Each session lasted about 45 minutes. The teacher then spent 40 minutes or so helping a new Teach First non-mathematician trainee to plan her Year 7 double lesson. They then both delivered the lesson (100 minutes!), with the CLSG member of staff supporting the trainee.
In 2019-20 the Maths department became involved in our English Outreach Project (see other case studies), sending 6th Form students to City of London Academy Shoreditch Park to mentoring younger pupils. CLSG is also a frequent participant at the Family of Schools Maths Partnership Forum, bringing together teachers from across our partner schools to share best practice and expertise in a termly cross-phase forum.
Aims
To provide specialist teaching support and training for colleagues at partner schools and increase engagement, enthusiasm and understanding of students in mathematics.
Background
Collaborative working was established through our partnerships with the City of London and East London Consortium.
Resources
Two masterclass days at CLSG run by the Head of Maths with support from other members of the department.
Enrichment day at CLSG facilitated by a member of the department.
One member of staff working at COLASP for three periods per week during 2017-18; one staff member working at the Academy for several sessions on alternate weeks during 2018-19.
One member of staff working at The City Academy, Hackney for one lesson, three times per week, during 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Impact
Students developed their ability to ask relevant questions and to better their own understanding. Staff at the Academies enjoyed collaborating with each other.
Retention in the Year 12 class at The City Academy, Hackney was 100%, and this class out-performed the Year 12 cohort's results at the Academy by the end of the course. All students continued on to Year 13.
At City of London Academy Shoreditch Park, most able pupils were more engaged in Maths, and the percentage of higher attainers on track in Maths was the 2nd highest of all subjects in the school. 19 certificates were awarded to Year 7s in UK Maths Challenge and The Teach First non-mathematician passed her first Teach First observation with flying colours.
Pupil Involvement
Years 7, 9, 10 and 12.
Frequency
Two members of staff working at Academies for three sessions per week.