The National Mathematics Education Centre

Tender description

We propose to tender for a national organisation to support the teaching of mathematics in schools. The contract for the National Mathematics Education Centre will commence from 1 August 2016 for 3 years, with an option to extend the contract for a further 2 years. The value of the contract will be approximately £5.1m to the period up to 31 March 2019 (please note that these figures will include any VAT that may be applicable). This organisation forms part of the overall drive to reinforce the importance of mathematics education, improve the teaching of mathematics and increase the mathematical attainment of young people. The Department funds 35 Maths Hubs across England to support schools and colleges to drive the transformation of mathematics education. The national centre will coordinate the Hubs at a national level by agreeing their annual plans, providing expert support and challenge and monitoring and reporting on progress and success. The Hubs will continue delivering projects that respond to local need and priorities set by the Department for Education. Amongst the current priorities are projects to transform the teaching of primary mathematics through south-east Asian mastery methods, trialling the use of high quality resources and textbooks and boosting post-16 participation in mathematics. Further information can be found here: - Maths Hubs: http://www.mathshubs.org.uk/ - Mastery Teaching: https://www.ncetm.org.uk/resources/47230 - Recent speech on maths by Schools Minister, Nick Gibb: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/getting-the-basics-right-in-mathematics Broad aims: The national centre will: • start in August 2016 and provide a strong and effective leadership and co-ordination role the existing 35 Maths Hubs; • provide support to help spread effective practice from Hubs and other successful projects nationally to improve the teaching of mathematics in all primary and secondary schools; • transform teaching of primary mathematics through robust implementation of models and approaches from south-east Asian mastery teaching; • enable Maths Hubs to provide valued support to schools to teach the new mathematics curriculum and qualifications including GCSE mathematics, Core Maths and A/AS mathematics and further mathematics, working with national programmes; • drive improvement to the professional development of mathematics teachers, through improvements to professional development and curriculum materials; • Act as a source of expertise in mathematical education issues for government and its partners by providing high quality advice and information on issues in mathematics teaching.