A National Response to Improving Mathematics (NRIM) in Scotland

Published 06/05/2022. Last updated 20/12/2023

NRIM The NRIM page has been collated under the following headings to assist you in finding what you are looking for:

Introduction and rationale
NRIM Partnership Board Membership
Short Life Working Group Focus Themes and Membership
NRIM progress updates
Developments and linked policy papers and resources
Contact details
Next steps

Introduction and rationale

The National Response to Improving Mathematics Board (NRIM) was established (as a ‘Partnership Board’) in spring 2021. The main aim of this board is to provide a clear opportunity for key partners from Scotland’s education system to develop a one-system response to implementing improvement change action.

The aspirational aims of the NRIM are as follows:

to transform Scotland to be a greater maths-positive nation (achieved partly by promoting the joy of mathematics),
to support and promote the belief that everyone has the capability to become proficient at mathematics, regardless of their circumstances in life,
to ensure that 21^st Century Skills are embedded within teaching and learning,
to ensure consistently high standards of professional learning in numeracy and mathematics across Scotland,
to improve levels of mathematical literacy,
to improve attainment in numeracy and mathematics in Scotland.

To respond to these aspirational aims, in its initial stage (2021- 2023), the NRIM offer will prioritise a fundamental collective, system-wide strategic response to professional learning, aimed at developing high-quality mathematical learning, teaching and assessment leading to improve outcomes for children and young people. This offer will address the improvement actions as noted within Multiplying Skills, Adding Value- Numeracy and Mathematics for Scotland’s Learners: A Thematic Inspection, (2019), consider how mathematics learning and teaching will respond to OECD’s review of the curriculum, as well as consider the implications for learners and teachers of PISA 2022.

The NRIM will consider the following and develop an action plan which will include:

One national numeracy and mathematics improvement strategy which provides a route map for contextualised local strategy development and school level improvement response that addresses:
- improvements in learning, teaching and assessment in mathematics for learning, life and work
- the findings of OECD reviews into implementation of CfE and the National Qualifications.
- employability, particularly in the post-Covid economy
A robust programme of bespoke professional learning for both practitioners and leaders. This will include leadership for improvement, training, advice and support for schools, teachers and practitioners. This robust programme will aim to develop consistency and improve standards across Scotland and ultimately accelerate pupil achievement in the subject.
The launch of a renewed focus on building capacity in numeracy and mathematics through existing teacher and leadership programmes.
The resources necessary to support this offer.
A self-evaluation framework specifically for numeracy and mathematics which local authorities and school leaders can use to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum, learning and teaching, and identify opportunities to enhance and strengthen curriculum design and delivery.

NRIM Partnership Board Membership

To ensure success of the NRIM board, support will be provided and delivered through strategic partnership. In addition, Short Life Working Groups have been established to carry out specific pieces of development, involving appropriate colleagues from the range of organisations and other bodies the Board represents.

The NRIM Board will consist of membership from key leadership stakeholders in the education system. The resources and capabilities of these stakeholders will be required to explore, design, monitor and report on the progress and success of the overall offer. The four stakeholder groups are;

Local education authorities
Regional Improvement Collaborative (RICs)
Education Scotland (ES)
Scottish Government (SG)

The membership of the NRIM board is as follows:

Craig Flunkert, Joint Chair, Scottish Government
Ollie Bray, Joint Chair, Strategic Director, Education Scotland
Stewart Nicolson, Joint Chair, ADES
Pamela Di Nardo, Senior Regional Advisor (Interim), Education Scotland
John Neeson, Senior Education Officer, Education Scotland
Iain McDermott, Professional Learning and Leadership, Education Scotland
Fearghal Kelly, Professional Learning and Leadership, Education Scotland
Owen Griffiths Scottish Government
Tara Harper, Initial Teacher Education Representative
Karen Haspolat, SEIC, RIC Representative
Michelle Lewis Tayside RIC Representative
Robert McCallum, SWEIC, RIC Representative
Karen Oppo, West Partnership, RIC Representative
Andy Thomson, Northern Alliance, RIC Representative
Peter Valentine, Forth Valley and West Lothian, RIC Representative
TBC, National Parent Forum Scotland Representative

Short Life Working Group Focus Themes and Membership

The Short Life Working Groups (SLWG) and members are listed below:

Early Years SLWG

Scott Haxton TRIC Lead, Head Teacher, Angus Council (Chair)
Peter Valentine, FVWL Lead, Pedagogy Officer (West Lothian Council)
Karen Mclaughlin, Early Years HT, (Stirling Council)
Marianne McCron, Support Teacher ELC, (East Lothian Council)
Ross Gibson, DHT, (Fife Council)
Kathleen McGuire, QI Officer (East Renfrewshire Council)
Allan Fleming, ELC Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Gary Lamb, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (Glasgow City Council)
Ashley Page, Principal Teacher (Numeracy), FVWL RIC
Laura Gallagher, Principal Teacher (Numeracy), FVWL RIC
Gemma Paterson, Lead Early Years Pedagogue (Falkirk Council)
Yvonne Somerville, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Maria Docherty, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)

Primary SLWG

Robert McCallum, SAC Education Manager (East Ayrshire Council) (Chair)
Iona Coutts, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland
Maria Docherty, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Peter Valentine, Numeracy Pedagogy Officer (West Lothian Council)
Natalie McMillan, National Parent Forum Scotland
David Maxwell, Education Officer (Dumfries & Galloway Council)
Kirsty Stephen, Numeracy & Mathematics Co-ordinator (North Ayrshire Council)
Sarah Leakey, Numeracy Development Officer (Highland Council)
Lynne McBain, Education Recovery Officer (Clackmannanshire Council)
Lee Gray, Numeracy & Digital Learning Development Officer (Renfrewshire Council)
Robert Drummond, Primary Teacher (Edinburgh Council)
Gary Lamb, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (Glasgow City Council)
Chris McKenna, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (South Ayrshire Council)
Ross Gibson, DHT (Fife Council)
Craig Lowther UHI Head of School

Secondary SLWG

Andy Thompson Northern Alliance, RIC Representative (Chair)
Robert McCallum, SAC Education Manager (East Ayrshire Council)
National Parent Forum Scotland (NPFS)
Garry Maguire, Lead Officer, N&M (South Lanarkshire Council)
Chris McGrane, Principal Teacher
Susan Thomson, Education Team Manager (Falkirk Council)
Calum Blair, Curriculum Leader Numeracy and Computing (East Lothian Council)
Lee Gray, Numeracy & Digital Learning Development Officer (Renfrewshire Council)
Gary Lamb, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (Glasgow City Council)
Nanette Brotherwood, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Jaclyn Andrews, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)

Initial Teacher Education SLWG

Tara Harper, Lecturer in Mathematics Education and Headship at Dundee University (Chair)
Lise McCaffery, PLL Senior Lead Specialist (Education Scotland)
Carlo Rinaldi, Glasgow University
Laura Gallagher, Principal Teacher (Numeracy), FVWL RIC
Chris McKenna, Principal Teacher (South Ayrshire Council)
Andrew Gallacher, Napier University
Ruth Forrester, Edinburgh University
Gary Lamb, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (Glasgow City Council)
Helen Martin, Aberdeen University
Jackie Marshall, Strathclyde University
Jaclyn Andrews, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Stephen Shields, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)

Future of the Curriculum SLWG

Karen Haspolat, Quality Improvement Officer (East Lothian Council) (Chair)
Andy Thompson, NA RIC Representative (Shetland Council)
David Maxwell, Education Officer: Dumfries & Galloway Council
Scott Morrow, Numeracy Development Officer (South Ayrshire Council)
Ashley Page, Principal Teacher (Numeracy), FVWL RIC
Darren McKinnon, Quality Improvement Manager (Edinburgh City Council)
Stuart Cathro HMIe (Education Scotland)
Gary Lamb, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (Glasgow City Council)
Stephen Shields, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Nanette Brotherwood, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)

Making Maths Count SLWG

Garry Maguire, Lead Officer, N&M (South Lanarkshire Council) (Chair)
Lise McCaffery, PLL Senior Lead Specialist (Education Scotland)
Tara Harper, Lecturer in Mathematics and Headship (Dundee University)
Mary Rendle, Numeracy Pedagogy Officer (West Lothian Council)
Darren McKinnon, Quality Improvement Manager (Edinburgh City Council)
Scott Haxton, Head Teacher (Angus Council)
Denise Doig, Education Support Officer (Perth and Kinross Council)
Carol Lyon, Scottish Mathematical Council
Gary Lamb, Principal Teacher of Mathematics (Glasgow City Council)
Kathleen McGuire, Quality Improvement Manager (East Renfrewshire Council)
Yvonne Somerville, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)
Iona Coutts, N&M Education Officer (Education Scotland)

NRIM progress updates

Each of the above short life working groups is exploring important themes centred around their group title. Colleagues are working collaboratively across the SLWGs to establish key recommendations and regularly update the NRIM board on progress.

The groups meet monthly to discuss, update and record their progress. One of the key tasks for the groups to establish what, how and why important recommendations should be incorporated into a one nation improvement framework. These SLWGs contain a representative spread from across LAs and RICs and, importantly, from a variety of leadership levels across the system.

PDF file: Summary report of interim recommendations and position co-developed through NRIM Short Life Working Groups - February 2023 (570 KB)

Finally, initial Partnership Board stakeholder consultation discussions have been captured in a report too. This document can also be accessed below.

PDF file: Summary report of initial consultation discussions completed with NRIM Partnership Board stakeholders - March 2022 (798 KB)

Developments and linked policy papers and resources

Listed below are all interconnected policy areas, initiatives and reports that operate under the umbrella of NRIM, e.g the Education Scotland Numeracy and Mathematics summary page.

Reports

Contact details

If you require any additional information regarding NRIM please contact the Education Scotland Numeracy and Mathematics enquiries mailbox.

Alternatively, you can contact Pamela Di Nardo, Numeracy and Mathematics Senior Responsible Officer or John Neeson, Numeracy and Mathematics Senior Education Officer at:-

Next Steps

Meeting minutes and agendas

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Agenda - October 2023 (4 MB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Minutes - June 2023 (4 MB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Agenda - March 2023 (199 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Minutes - March 2023 (115 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Agenda - December 2023 (142 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Minutes - December 2023 (93 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Agenda - October 2022 (147 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Minutes - September 2022 (150 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Agenda - September 2022 (300 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Minutes - June 2022 (216 KB)

PDF file: NRIM Partnership Board - Agenda - June 2022 (233 KB)

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