EMP Hub Schools
What is an EMP Hub?
An EMP Hub is a school that is a model user of the EMP, who demonstrates consistent and effective mathematics instruction utilising EMP, and who is keen to share their experiences with other schools interested in or on the journey to high quality Mathematics Instruction.
To attend a hub, view all upcoming Hub open days on our TicketTailor page.
What are the benefits of becoming a Hub?
The direct benefits relate primarily to buy-in and motivation, reputation, recruitment, and an EMP discount.
Buy-in and motivation: EMP Hub Schools find that putting themselves forwards as an example of quality mathematics teaching is a fantastic way of communicating high expectations to all those involved in teaching the EMP. When teachers know that each term they’ll have an opportunity to share their teaching, and when Leads know they’ll have a chance to regularly share their story, motivation to become and continue to be a high performing school receives a powerful boost.
Reputation: EMP Hubs will quickly become well known and examples of national or even world class practice when it comes to primary mathematics instruction. Throughout the process, you’ll have the opportunity to share your school’s story and progress with visitors locally, and via EMP’s communication channels more widely.
Recruitment: The best and most passionate teachers are always looking for ways to grow and improve as teachers. These kinds of teachers often seek out schools with excellent teaching programs to continue along this journey. In this way, EMP hubs become an attractive employment destination for high calibre teachers. More directly, EMP Hubs will find that having a new wave of passionate and motivated teachers visiting them each term is an excellent way to build relationships with, and a reputation amongst, prospective employees.
EMP Discount: Through the EMP referral program, should your school host a visiting school who subsequently signs up to the EMP (min. order size $2,000+GST), you are eligible to receive a 5% discount off your next EMP order. Hubs, are therefore very well placed to accumulate significant savings on the EMP by hosting and referring visitors throughout the year.
EMP Hubs also contribute to the broader societal benefit of improving the overall standard of primary mathematics teaching in Australia.
What does an EMP Hub do?
EMP Hubs make three main commitments: 1. To uphold a high standard of mathematics instruction through the use of EMP at their school, 2. To host termly visits during which visiting schools can hear about your implementation journey, talk to other teachers and leaders, and see the EMP in action (example hub day agenda). 3. To reach out to local schools and networks and communicate the potential of EMP to rapidly improve their mathematics program
Eligibility
To be an EMP Hub, we ask that the Hub school must:
- Have used EMP F-2 in 2025 and be using it F-3 in 2026
- Have carried out all due assessments in 2025 (i.e., run Sem 1 summative by mid year and Sem 2 summative by end of year, whichever applies based upon date at time of application
- Be willing to host school visits throughout the year (exact number to be negotiated, but approx. 3-4 over the year is ideal with an appropriate number of visitors, usually capacity of around 30) with opportunities for all visitors to see portions of lessons from demonstration teachers
Process: From application to your first Hub day
Here are the main steps involved in becoming an EMP Hub and running your first Hub day:
1. Start by reading through the eligibility criteria below to check that you’re eligible
2. For the remainder of 2025, the pathway to becoming an EMP Hub for 2026 is to first apply for EMP awards, 2025. Within your awards application, make note of your desire to be considered for 2026 hub status via the option provided on page 2 (all details here)
3. A member of the EMP will then be in contact to touch base and talk through the process
4. Assuming the application progresses, you will send a number of videos of EMP for review by Ollie Lovell and Toni Hatten-Roberts. Your teachers will then receive feedback notes and tips to improve through the Steplab platform (you will be added to the EMP’s Steplab account, no payment needed). If initial teaching is close to demonstration standard, you will undergo multiple rounds of remote coaching in this way to prepare for your hub day
5. You will be provided with a slide template and draft agenda which you will populate. You will share these resources with Ollie prior to your first hub day in a meeting with him, and he will help you to refine your presentation and messaging
6. EMP will set up the booking page for your hub day and support with promotion, you will then also share this booking page with your local network to promote the day
7. You will then be ready to run your first Hub day!
Thanks again for your interest, we look forward to seeing your EMP Hub application. And please don’t hesitate to reach out to support@empschools.com with any questions, queries, or comments you may have.