Welcome to the FAQ section of the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association (IMTA) website. Here, you’ll find answers to the most common queries we receive from teachers, students, and members of the public. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please feel free to contact us via the form on our website.

1. What is the IMTA?

The Irish Maths Teachers’ Association (IMTA) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation that supports mathematics teachers in Ireland. We promote the teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels and provide valuable resources, CPD sessions, and competitions for teachers and students.

2. How do I become a member of the IMTA?

To become a member of the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association (IMTA), you need to select your branch and membership type and complete payment online. Below are the membership options available for 2024-2025:

Membership Options

1. Full Individual Membership – €15
   • Suitable for individual teachers who wish to participate in IMTA activities and is a minimum requirement for participation in IMTA competitions.
2. School Membership – €50
   • Covers all maths teachers within a school. Best value if more than 3 teachers from your school wish to join.
3. All-in-1 Competition and School Membership Bundle – €250
   • Includes:
     • School Membership
     • PLUS entry to ALL IMTA competitions:
       • Maggie Gough competition
       • First Year Maths competition
       • Up to 4 teams in the Pi Quiz
       • Up to 4 teams in the Team Maths competition
   • Savings: This bundle offers a €100 discount compared to individual competition entries. Best value if entering all competitions and at least 5 teams between Pi Quiz & Team Maths.
4. Free Membership
   • Available for newly qualified teachers, student teachers, and retired teachers.
   • Note: Free membership does not allow participation in IMTA competitions. To participate, there must be at least one paid-up member from the school.

How can I pay for membership?

You can pay online by selecting your branch and membership type on our website. ETB schools should choose the Direct Bank Payment option and include a Purchase Order number in the “Additional Information” section of the order.

What information do I need to provide for School Membership?

When paying for a School Membership, please include the names and email addresses of all teachers in your school in the “Additional Information” section of the order.

Can a school participate in competitions with Free Membership?

No. Schools must have at least one paid-up member to participate in any IMTA competitions.

What competitions are included in the All-in-1 Competition & School Membership Bundle?

The All-in-1 Bundle includes entry to the following competitions:

• Maggie Gough Competition
• First Year Maths Competition
• Up to 4 teams in the Pi Quiz (you will be prompted to select a venue that suits you best when taking out membership).
• Up to 4 teams in the Team Maths Competition (you will be prompted to select a venue that suits you best when taking out membership).

What is the payment process for ETB schools?

ETB schools should select the Direct Bank Payment option and provide a Purchase Order number in the “Additional Information” section of the order.

What if I need assistance with making an online payment?

If you require assistance with making your payment online, please contact us through the website. Our team will be happy to help you with the process.

3. What CPD opportunities does the IMTA offer?

The IMTA hosts a variety of CPD sessions throughout the year, covering topics such as effective teaching strategies, retrieval practice, the use of technology in maths classes, differentiation, and supporting students with maths anxiety. Our sessions are delivered by experienced educators and guest speakers.

4. What competitions does the IMTA run?

The IMTA runs several competitions for students, including:

• The Maggie Gough Competition: A national online competition for students from various year groups held during Maths Week.
• The Pi Quiz: An annual quiz for Junior Cycle students. Regional round and National Final annually.
• Team Maths: An annual quiz for LC Higher Level students. Regional round and National Final annually.
• First Year Competition: A national online competition for 1st year students held in January annually.
• Peter’s Problem: National competition for Transition Year Students held during Engineers’ Week annually.

5. How can I register my students for Competitions?

If you take out the All-in-1 Competition & School Membership Bundle, then your school is already entered into all compeitions (except Peter’s Problem. You must look out for the email address annually to subscribe for this. It is usually petersproblemABCD@gmail.com where ABCD represents the year of the competition).

Registration for competitions outside of the Competitions bundle can be done through the Paymentss section of our website. Select the item you would like to register for.

Schools are provided with guidelines and sample questions to help students prepare. These can be found under the various competition pages under the Competitions Tab on our website.

6. Does the IMTA provide teaching resources?

Yes, the IMTA provides a wide range of teaching resources for members, including webinars, T&L materials, assessment tools, and links to useful websites. These resources are currently free for everyone to access.

7. How can I access past CPD session recordings?

Members can access recordings of past CPD sessions in the Resources>CPD Recordings area of our website.

8. What is the IMTA’s stance on changes to the senior cycle maths curriculum?

The IMTA is actively involved in discussions with the NCCA on the development of the senior cycle maths curriculum. We advocate for maintaining high standards, retaining two exam papers, and opposing the inclusion of a 40% Additional Assessment Component (AAC). More details can be found in the Advocacy section of our website.

9. What support does the IMTA provide for new teachers?

The IMTA offers resources, CPD opportunities, and a network of support for newly qualified teachers. We are also exploring a mentoring programme to help new teachers navigate the challenges of teaching maths.

10. How do I get involved with my local IMTA branch?

The IMTA has several local branches across the country. To find your nearest branch and get involved, visit the About>Branches section of our website.

11. How do I submit a query to the IMTA?

If you have a query, you can contact us via the Contact Us form on our website. We aim to respond to all queries within 48 hours.

12. Can students join the IMTA?

No. The IMTA is for teachers. However, students can participate in our competitions and benefit from the resources shared by their teachers.

13. How can I stay updated on IMTA events and news?

The best way to stay updated is to subscribe to our newsletter and follow the updates on our website and social media platforms (FaceBook, X and Instagram). Members will also receive email notifications about upcoming events and CPD sessions.

14. How can I host a competition like Team Maths or the Pi Quiz?

Hosting a competition such as Team Maths or the Pi Quiz involves several roles and responsibilities. Here are the key roles required for a successful event:

• Centre Coordinator: Acts as the main point of contact for the event, liaising with participating schools, arranging the venue, and managing communications.
• Referee: Ensures that answers are correctly distributed and that marking is consistent.
• Markers: Responsible for marking the answer sheets and ensuring scores are recorded accurately.
• Collectors: Assigned to collect answer sheets from teams and deliver them to markers.
• Scorer: Enters scores into a spreadsheet and submits final results to the designated contact.
• Timekeeper/MC: Manages the timing of rounds and announces rules at the start of the competition. Additional roles such as photographer or social media coordinator can also be included to capture and share the event highlights. Detailed guidelines for hosting these competitions can be found in the Competitions section of our website.

15. Who can I contact for further assistance?

For further assistance, please contact us at chair@imtacouncil.com or use the contact form on the website. Our team will be happy to help you.