Abstract:
This paper reports some of the results of the "Raising Standards in Numeracy" project which was funded by the Welsh Assembly during the period 1999/2000. Schools in which pupils achieved standards significantly higher than would have been expected from their prior attainment were identified using value-added analyses in order to explore factors and strategies which might contribute positively towards standards in mathematics. Two primary and two secondary schools were identified in each of five LEAs. Management strategies and processes which might contribute to high attainment were then explored through extended interviews with LEA advisors, head teachers and mathematics subject leaders. These factors were triangulated through extended interviews with classroom teachers and through participant observation in the classroom. This paper focuses on aspects of effective middle management.