A focus on mathematics at Estyn
Strong numeracy skills depend on high-quality mathematics teaching.
It has been a particularly busy year for the mathematics team at Estyn. Although we do not inspect mathematics as a standalone subject, numeracy is a key part of every inspection. We firmly believe that strong numeracy skills depend on high-quality mathematics teaching. For this reason, during our visits to schools we look closely at how well pupils progress in mathematics lessons and how effectively they apply these skills to solve problems, both within mathematics and across the wider curriculum.
At Estyn, subject specialism is important. This is a key consideration when recruiting inspectors, and within the secondary team we have several colleagues with a strong background in mathematics. Wherever possible, we aim to ensure a balance of subject expertise on inspection teams. Whilst our core inspection work always includes consideration of mathematics and numeracy, the past 18 months have seen an increased focus on the teaching of mathematics in particular.
A national picture of mathematics education:
Too many pupils are not making the progress they should in mathematics.
Last year, we were asked by Welsh Government to carry out a thematic survey into the quality of mathematics education for learners aged 9 to 16. A team of inspectors, led by Nicola Thomas HMI, visited schools across Wales and drew on evidence from core inspections to build a national picture.
What we found was mixed. In some schools, pupils clearly enjoyed mathematics and benefited from confident, engaging teaching. However, overall, too many pupils are not making the progress they should. This mirrors what we often see during routine inspections.
One of the most valuable aspects of the visits was the opportunity to speak openly with teachers and heads of mathematics. These professional conversations were honest and thoughtful, particularly around the support available for mathematics teaching in Wales. We also identified examples of effective practice that could be shared more widely and included these as detailed case studies in the final report.
Key findings and shared practice:
The report is essential reading for everyone involved in mathematics education in Wales.
The report concluded that, despite the commitment of teachers, standards in mathematics in Wales are too low. Three key issues emerged:
- variability in the quality of teaching,
- a lack of clear national expectations,
- and insufficient mathematics-specific professional learning.
The report, available on our website, sets out the features of effective and less effective mathematics teaching and includes practical case studies. We later revisited some schools to film examples of strong practice. These videos show strategies such as diagnostic questioning, effective use of mini whiteboards, purposeful questioning to deepen thinking, and the use of variation to help pupils recognise patterns and structures.
Continuing the conversation:
Driving standards in the teaching of mathematics.
In December, we held an Estyn Live event where schools shared effective practice in the teaching of mathematics, identified during inspection. We also recorded podcasts in English and Welsh with teachers and experts discussing the report’s key messages.
In February, Nicola and I will be leading professional learning events across Wales for secondary teachers and heads of mathematics on our ‘Maths Roadshow’ in partnership with Dysgu. These sessions will explore the report’s findings, share effective strategies and support teachers in evaluating pupils’ mathematical skills.
There is still time to register for a place if you have not already.
It has been an intense but rewarding period. Focusing on mathematics has reinforced just how vital high-quality teaching is in raising standards and improving outcomes for learners across Wales. We look forward to continuing our work within the system to support practitioners and drive standards in the teaching of mathematics.
Relevant links:
Mathematics Video Resources – Estyn
‘Maths Roadshow’ in partnership with Dysgu
Sgwrs Podcast: Thoughts on the teaching of Mathematics in Wales – Estyn
Estyn Live: Insights into improving teaching and leadership in mathematics education