This guide is intended to stimulate professional reflection, dialogue and debate about mathematics and how to improve it. It draws together themes, features and characteristics of effective improvement in mathematics and descriptions of good practice. It offers a reference point for staff and teachers who are working together to improve mathematics education. This guide will also be useful for learners, parents and communities as they discuss how they can contribute to improving learning in mathematics. Staff are able to make substantial progress in improving learning and teaching in mathematics by sharing practice with each other and by involving children, young people, parents and communities as partners. This guide aims to promote reflection about how best to develop young people's ability and inclination to apply their mathematical or numeracy skills in managing their day-to-day activities and meeting the challenges of a modern society. It also provides examples of good practice along with questions which teachers can use to reflect on how well they encourage high achievement in mathematics for all learners. (Contains 11 footnotes.)