Embedding Cornerstone Maths in Departments

If you and your colleagues are looking embed one or more of the Cornerstone Maths units of work in your lower secondary schemes of work, here are some resources to support you in this task.

These are presented as three case studies from English schools, which describe how different maths departments have approached this task.

The schools are as follows.

Langdon Park School, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Langdon Park School was one of the original pilot schools and so began piloting the Cornerstone Maths units in 2011. They have now embedded all three curriculum units in their schemes of work and the units are taught by all teachers of key stage 3 mathematics. They have also developed their own approach to assessment and have an on-going plan to support trainees and new teachers to the school to become confident to teach the Cornerstone Maths units. Read the full case study.

Park High School, London Borough of Harrow

Park High School joined the project in 2013. In 2015-16 the school decided to host Cornerstone Maths face-to-face professional development and invite other schools to also participate. This meant that 13 members of the department, which included trainees, were able to be involved as it minimised the need for cover. Read the full case study.

Cheam High School, London Borough of Sutton

Cheam High School joined the project in 2015 and identified two teachers to lead the project in the school, which meant that they piloted all three of the Cornerstone Maths curriculum units. These 'lead teachers' also supported three further teachers who attended the face-to-face PD with them. Back in school, the project teachers observed and supported each others' lessons and following what they concluded to be a worthwhile development of their key stage 3 scheme, led PD for other members of their large department. Read the full case study.