Following the success of the Primary and Secondary Mastery Specialist Programmes, Maths Hubs, working in conjunction with the NCETM, are now seeking applications from Further Education establishments that wish to nominate 'lead teachers' to take part in an important two-year professional development programme leading to the designation of Post-16 GCSE/FSQ Mastery Specialist. The programme is aimed at those who teach GCSE Mathematics resit and/or Functional Skills Qualifications (FSQs).

Who can take part?

The programme is for practitioners of post-16 GCSE Maths resit and/or Functional Skills Maths who are currently employed in a post-16 setting and regularly teaching maths to students aged 16-19 enroled onto full-time Study Programmes under the government's Condition of Funding policy.

Participants must have at least two years' experience teaching post-16 GCSE/FSQ maths, with the capacity to lead change within their own institutions. They may be based in FE colleges, Sixth Form colleges, or other post-16 settings.

What is involved?

Practitioners of post-16 GCSE Mathematics resit and/or Functional Skills Maths can become Mastery Specialists, initially developing their own teaching for mastery approaches, then supporting others to do the same.

The programme has an initial training year, followed by a second year and beyond, in which specialists support others. It equips participants with the knowledge and skills to develop highly-effective approaches to the teaching of GCSE Maths resit and Functional Skills Maths, using the principles of teaching for mastery.

What will you learn?

• Your students will develop a secure and connected understanding of the maths they are learning
• Your students will report increased confidence in using maths
• You will develop classroom practices aligned to the principles of teaching for mastery, as exemplified for the post-16 GCSE/FSQ sector
• You will, over time, become part of the Maths Hubs LLME Community

What is the cost?

The Further Education Mastery Specialist Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools/institutions.

How to apply:

Applications for the 2025/26 cohort are now closed, to express interest in applying for 2026/27 or if you have any questions, please email charlie.dowse@solentmathshub.org.uk.