Preventing rather than closing the gap in Mathematics
By Andrew Smith, 2021
Fellow’s Profile
Fellow’s Profile
Preventing rather than closing the gap in mathematics
Bridging the mathematics attainment gap at schools through new pedagogies
2015
North West
I am currently the Head of Primary at Azerbaijan British College in Baku, Azerbaijan.
My Fellowship topic focused upon mathematics education and looked at how schools in China and Taiwan ensure that no children fall behind with their learning. The purpose was to support the UK's introduction of an approach to mathematics based upon the approach in Shanghai but to focus on children who might fall behind in their studies. I was passionate about this as I had returned from living in China and as a fluent Mandarin speaker I knew the challenges of researching in China and the misconceptions about Chinese education in the UK.
I have worked with schools across London introducing the mastery approach and with maths hubs. I have stayed in contact with the Ministry of Education in Hong Kong and hosted a visit from their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) team.
The impact on the community has been through supporting organisations that influence mathematics education and working with schools to develop their approach. Personally it gave me the confidence to pursue a career in school leadership as I discovered how much I loved the process of supporting educational change.
By Andrew Smith, 2021
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
By Andrew Smith, 2021
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.