SETTING FOR MATHEMATICS AND OFSTED:
Notes from Graham Smart

At the AGM 2000 we agreed that I should write to OFSTED raising NAMA's concerns over setting.  The gist of my message to Nigel Bufton HMI was :

"I write to express the concerns of members of NAMA raised at the last AGM regarding the messages on setting for mathematics teaching emanating from OFSTED.
As an association we genuinely feel that there is no clear research evidence either way regarding setting but are concerned that papers from OFSTED do implicitly, and occasionally explicitly, encourage primary schools to set for mathematics.
In your talk to the last conference you very carefully worded your explanations so that we were able to interpret OFSTED's advice on setting but unfortunately headteachers and mathematics co-ordinators are not in such fortunate positions.
We would ask that where future documents refer to setting in mathematics, you continue to do your best to keep the message clear.  If it would be helpful to you, NAMA would be happy to prepare a brief paper highlighting the evidence that we are aware of and our concerns even in large schools, let alone one-form entry primary schools and small rural schools regarding setting as the single effective organisational strategy."

Nigel has responded very positively to my letter.  He acknowledges that we have concerns, has looked at any newer relevant OFSTED publications for any advice regarding setting and most importantly, would like to hear from us of any concerns in school's OFSTED reports.  This is particularly if we have a clear statement in a report that a school should for example be setting for mathematics.

If there is no advice in a report but a comment that "the school should re-consider its organisation because …" or something similar that does not take a stance on setting then we can not hope to take it further but I know that a number of colleagues quoted some very damning advice from reports at the last conference.

If you have any reports that you feel deserve further consideration please copy them directly to Nigel with a copy to me, or one of the executive.

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