Two teachers from Shanghai have been sharing their methods for teaching mathematics with pupils at Whitchurch C of E Primary School near Ross-on-Wye. They are staying in Ross for two weeks and, not only teaching local children but are also being observed by many local teachers from schools across Herefordshire.

Giu Yunzi and She Tianyi, known as Hazel and Lily, have been working alongside Fiona Wood, maths co-ordinator at Whitchurch, as a follow up to her research visit to Shanghai in November last year. Fiona is among 70 expert maths teachers from schools across England taking part in an exchange as part of the Maths Hub programme.

The exchange is part of a long-term project, run within the maths hub programme, to help teachers in English schools introduce mastery approaches to teaching maths in their schools.

Fiona explained that teachers in Shanghai are often observed and they share methods and feedback with each other regularly. She said that at first the visiting teachers did not want to say anything which might be thought of as negative in case Hazel and Lily were offended. However Hazel told the Ross Gazette that they are very used to it and it helps to make more effective teachers.

Someone observing may notice something they missed, such as one child not understanding, which they could then deal with.

More than 100 teachers from across Herefordshire and Shropshire have visited Whitchurch and the feedback has been fantastic. As one teacher commented:?“It was a privilege to observe Hazel and Lily teaching. I enjoyed the careful, thoughtful and methodical approach used.”

Children at Whitchurch have also been enthralled with the teaching, sharing ideas, discussing their learning and making outstanding progress in maths.