Across Australia, maths departments are grappling with an increasingly complex challenge: how to lift outcomes, support all learners, and build consistency across classes, without burning teachers out. The most effective departments don’t just have strong results; they have the culture, tools and systems in place to support growth for both students and staff.

So what exactly makes a maths department thrive?

1. A clear and consistent instructional model

Flourishing departments don’t leave teaching up to chance. They have a shared approach to instruction, grounded in evidence, that all teachers use, regardless of their experience level. This doesn’t mean every lesson looks the same, but that core elements like lesson structure, formative assessment, and feedback are predictable and purposeful.

When students know what to expect, they engage more readily. When teachers follow a common model, they’re better able to collaborate, share strategies, and learn from one another. Most importantly, it ensures that no matter which classroom a student walks into, they’ll receive high-quality maths instruction.

2. Targeted support for early-career and out-of-field teachers

A flourishing department lifts everyone. Not just the students, but the teachers too. That means recognising the unique challenges faced by graduates and those teaching outside their subject area. Without the right support, these teachers can feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to meet diverse student needs.

Departments that flourish create structures to build teacher confidence. This might include mentoring, peer observations, and access to high-quality planning resources. It’s about making sure that every teacher has a strong starting point for every lesson, and someone to go to when they need help. When early-career teachers feel supported, they grow faster, stay longer, and contribute more meaningfully to the school’s success.

3. Data-informed practice

Strong departments don’t just collect data, they use it. They prioritise ongoing, low-stakes assessments that reveal what students know, what they’re ready to learn next, and where gaps remain. This allows teachers to make timely decisions: Who’s ready for a challenge? Who might need one-on-one support?

More importantly, departments that thrive use this data to reflect and improve. They look at cohort trends, celebrate growth, and identify areas to target across year levels. This culture of reflection doesn’t just improve student outcomes, it also builds teacher agency and confidence.

4. A deep understanding of pedagogy 

Flourishing maths departments are grounded in a strong understanding of what effective teaching looks like, and they apply that knowledge with intention. Teachers aren’t just using strategies because they’ve always done so, or switching approaches when things feel off. Instead, they draw on a shared, research-informed understanding of how students learn best, and use this to guide everything from planning and delivery to assessment and intervention. 

They also respect the professional judgment of teachers. There’s room for flexibility and responsiveness, allowing teachers to meet students where they’re at while building towards deeper understanding.

In these departments, professional learning isn’t just about new programs or tools, it’s about continually deepening pedagogical practice so that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

5. Strong leadership and a collaborative culture

Great maths departments don’t run on autopilot. They’re led by people who are committed to growth and collaboration. People who know that good teaching is always evolving. Heads of Maths in flourishing departments model best practice, support staff development, and make time for collaboration.

These teams also work together. They share successes and challenges, visit each other’s classes, and align on expectations. That kind of culture doesn’t just improve outcomes, it makes the department a place people want to work.

Bringing it all together with Instructive

Of course, even the most dedicated teams can struggle to put all these elements in place. That’s where Instructive comes in.

Instructive is a structured model for Years 5–10 maths that brings consistency across classrooms while still giving teachers flexibility. It includes:

• Ready-to-use lesson plans that reflect best practice in explicit instruction
• Built-in diagnostics and formative checks to guide teaching
• Scaffolds for intervention, extension, and targeted support
• Support and PD for new and experienced teachers alike

By adopting Instructive, schools gain a complete toolkit for strengthening their maths department, whether they’re looking to improve results, build teacher confidence, or create consistency across classrooms.

Because a flourishing maths department isn’t built on good intentions alone. It’s built on clear systems, ongoing support, and a shared commitment to great teaching.