Primary Mathematics
Key Stage 2 Assessment
In October 2008, the Secretary of State asked an Expert Group on Assessment to look at the future of testing at the end of Key Stage 2 (KS2) in English, Science and Mathematics. ACME submitted its views to the Expert Group. Subsequently, the Expert Group recommended that KS2 tests in English and Mathematics should be retained, but should be scrapped for Science. These recommendations were accepted by the Secretary of State.
ACME expressed its disagreement with the recommendations and a meeting with the Secretary of State was scheduled. As part of the process of preparing for this meeting, ACME organised a seminar at which a frank and full discussion of the challenges facing an assessment regime for the end of KS2 were discussed. The seminar also looked at some alternative assessment regimes to that proposed by the Expert Group on Assessment. The key outcomes of this discussion are highlighted in the paper on ACME's views on an Alternative Regime for Key Stage 2 Assessment in Mathematics Education. Following its meeting with the Secretary of State in January 2010, ACME wrote a letter to Rt. Honourable Ed Balls MP.
Primary Mathematics Review
In July 2007 the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families asked Sir Peter Williams then ACME Chair, to undertake a review into the teaching of mathematics in primary schools and early years settings. Sir Peter published his Interim Report on 19 March and ACME responded to the Consultation on the Interim Report. On 17 June 2008, the final report was published and ACME issued a Response to the Primary Mathematics Review, supporting Sir Peter's recommendations including his recommendation for a mathematics specialist in every primary school, which developed on an ACME recommendation.
Rose Review
In summer 2008 ACME was asked by Sir Jim Rose to assist him in considering the wider aims of mathematics education in primary schools to support him in reviewing the National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2. A discussion paper published in October 2008 provided him, and other stakeholders involved in the development of the new primary curriculum, with a view of the important issues surrounding primary mathematics today.
On 12 December 2008 ACME welcomed the publication of the Rose Review Interim Report.
ACME has since published a Response to the Rose Review Report (February 2009).
The Mathematics Community also formulated a joint response in the form of a letter to Sir Jim Rose.
On 30 April 2009, ACME welcomed the final report of the Rose Review of the Primary Curriculum.
Finally, in July 2009, ACME responded to the QCDA Consultation on Primary Curriculum.
ACME's Proactive Work
In May 2006, ACME published a position paper on the future of primary mathematics (604Kb) to complement the review of the Primary National Strategy's Framework for Teaching Mathematics. ACME believes that the key issues raised in this position paper can only be addressed in primary schools if there is suitable provision of continuing professional development (CPD).
As the second phase of this primary project, in September 2006, ACME published a report on 'Ensuring effective Continuing Professional Development for teachers of mathematics in primary schools' (410KB). This report identified and recommended models for CPD which address the issues raised in the position paper and has explored wider issues in primary mathematics education. These include: the purposes served by CPD; how teachers and schools identify priorities for CPD and measure its impact/effectiveness; areas where CPD is either well provided for or is lacking; and models of CPD that result in the provision being effective.
