A GLUSBURN teacher is counting on learning new skills during a prestigious exchange visit to China.

Mike Clayton will be among 70 expert maths teachers from English schools spending time at partner schools in Shanghai.

Following their visit to Shanghai this month, Chinese teachers will come to England to work in local schools in either November or January..

Mr Clayton, who teaches year six at Glusburn Community Primary School, underwent special training to become a Mastery Specialist in mathematics.

The purpose of the exchange is to develop further understanding and introduce ‘mastery approaches’ to teaching maths.

Mr Clayton will introduce the teaching both at Glusburn and in local partner schools during the current school year.

Glusburn is part of the White Rose branch of the national Maths Hub, which is running the Teaching of Mastery Programme jointly with the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).

The Department of Education is providing £41 million for the programme over four years.

There are 35 Maths Hubs spread across England, each led by a school with a record of high achievement in maths. The lead school supports improvements in maths teaching and learning in neighbouring schools.

The Maths Hub has organised four teacher exchanges with schools in Shanghai since the programme was launched in autumn 2014.

Schools in Shanghai are famed for their teaching of mathematics , with the city’s children topping the global table in maths during specialist tests, beating UK, USA, Singapore, Japan and Germany.

Primary School teachers in Shanghai teach just one subject each, and train for five years to teach specific age groups teaching specific age groups.

The teachers typically take just two lessons each day, spending the rest of their time helping students who need extra support and discussing teaching techniques with colleagues.

In secondary schools the Shanghai teachers spend more time planning and refining lessons than they to do in the classroom.

School days are longer, lasting from 7am to 4pm or 5pm, with shorter lessons and more playtimes.

Mr Clayton also runs the choir at Glusburn Community Primary School, accompanying the young singers on the guitar.

The choir regularly enters the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts in Ilkley and usually receives extremely positive feedback.