Reena Patel - Trust Lead - Maths
Reena is the Trust Leader for Mathematics at LEO Academy Trust, bringing 9 years of primary teaching experience. Having completed a Primary PGCE with a specialism in Primary Mathematics, where she was awarded the Gompertz Prize for Mathematics, Reena subsequently earned an MA in Education specialising in Educational Leadership from the UCL Institute of Education (IOE).
With 7 years of leadership experience across EYFS, KS1, and whole-school maths roles, Reena is dedicated to a Teaching for Mastery approach and inclusive practice. She believes that maths is for everyone, fostering growth mindsets and championing teaching for depth over rote learning. Reena embeds mastery by ensuring whole-class progression through small, coherent steps, keeping high expectations for all pupils. Central to this approach is mathematical oracy, which she promotes as a vital tool for reasoning and pattern-seeking; structured dialogue enables pupils to articulate their thinking, refine concepts, and secure a deeper, accessible understanding. Through active coaching and mentoring, she supports colleagues across schools to raise standards and improve pupil outcomes.
Reena has worked alongside the NCETM for 9 years and is an accredited Primary Mastery Specialist and Professional Development (PD) Lead. Collaborating with local Maths Hubs, she leads Work Groups and delivers CPD grounded in the NCETM’s Five Big Ideas, drawing on representation, variation, mathematical thinking, and rich dialogue to build deep conceptual understanding. This collaborative work builds strong maths communities that transform teaching and learning in line with the NCETM’s ethos.
In her trust-wide role, Reena strategically leads teaching strategies to secure high-quality learning of mathematics across LEO Academy Trust. Aligning professional learning with NCETM priorities, she develops curriculum and assessment frameworks, delivers CPD, co-plans and co-teaches, coaches, mentors staff, and monitors provision to help staff embed sustained mastery practices so every pupil can achieve.
