Dr James Hall, Ariel Lindorff and Professor Pam Sammons
In January 2015 Oxford University Press published the maths programme Inspire Maths. The programme was based on the series of textbooks My Pals Are Here!, which are used in the majority of state schools in Singapore. It consists of both a textbook series and professional development based on the mastery approach to teaching and learning mathematics. The textbooks aim to develop pupils' understanding of core mathematical principles with a combination of class instruction and activities in mixed-ability groups.
In the 2015/16 school year, some English schools started using Inspire Maths. This study on the effectiveness of the programme was undertaken by a team from the Department of Education at the University of Oxford. Researchers looked at the progress in maths of around 576 children aged five and six, and 20 teachers in 12 primaries over two terms. Half of the schools started using the Singapore-style maths teaching and textbooks in September last year, with the other half commencing a term later in January.
During the trial, pupils sat identical maths tests to assess their progress, supplemented with pupil and teacher questionnaires. The first group whose teachers started using maths mastery earlier made a “small but significant” amount of progress ahead of the control group, although this showed only after the method had been used for two terms. Researchers also found that teachers using the programme gave more stimulating lessons that were easier to understand, while pupils became more confident at maths, although some struggled with reading. Teachers were generally very positive about the Inspire Maths materials and approach, as well as the professional development support provided by Oxford University Press.
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