The NCETM Maths Podcast
The NCETM Maths Podcast comes from the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics. It features conversations with teachers, maths experts, and others passionate about maths education. Topics include classroom activity ideas, inspiring careers in mathematics, and lively debates on current issues in teaching. The show aims to highlight effective maths teaching practices and offers something for anyone interested in the subject.
Episodes
Episode 90 - Core Maths: Then, Now and Next
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Howard Astley-Jones talks with Professor Paul Glaister CBE about the origins, development and impact of Core Maths since its introduction in the mid-2010s. They discuss why the qualification was created to address the gap for students progressing beyond GCSE without taking A level Maths, and how it supports problem solving, quantitative reasoning, statis
Episode 89 Teaching maths in Year 6
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Debbie Morgan, Director for Primary at the NCETM, talks with Suzanne Mathews, primary maths adviser across a trust of 25 primary schools and Assistant Maths Hub Lead for Möbius Maths Hub.
Suzanne explains how her trust approaches mathematics in Year 6. She discusses which learning to prioritise, how daily fluency and arithmetic routines are structured, a
The NCETM Podcast Episode 88
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Julia Thomson from the NCETM’s Communications Team discusses the STEM Ambassador programme with guests Michael Anderson, former education lead for mathematics at STEM Learning, and Garry Packer, a retired electronic engineer and STEM Ambassador. They explore how the programme supports maths education in primary and secondary settings, the roles and exper
Teacher Professionalism: a conversation with Professor Dame Alison Peacock
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, the NCETM’s Gaynor Bahan talks with Professor Dame Allison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, about the importance of teacher collaboration, professional learning, and the current state and future vision of teaching as a respected profession. They discuss the Chartered College's recent report on revisiting teacher professional
We need to talk: exploring the Oracy Commission Report
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Jane Hawkins, the NCETM’s Assistant Director for Secondary, speaks to Geoff Barton, chair of the Oracy Education Commission. The conversation dives into the importance of oracy in the classroom, especially in mathematics, exploring how it can transform learning and teaching. They discuss the current state of oracy education, its potential to close the di
Evaluating Maths Hubs’ impact with the EEF
In this episode, the NCETM’s Dr Jen Shearman, Paul Rowlandson and Sue Evans discuss the upcoming EEF-funded trials of two important Maths Hubs programmes in 2025/26. The conversation explores the role of external evaluation, the challenges of conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and what the findings could mean for maths education.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to down
Secondary Maths: Inside the EEF Practice Review
In this episode, the NCETM’s Dr. Jen Shearman and Carol Knights discuss the EEF’s Secondary maths practice review. The review identifies some of the challenges facing leaders of maths in English schools, including the national shortage of maths teachers, the widening gap between disadvantaged students and their peers, the need for greater focus on students in KS3, and the ways maths departments ar
Problem-solving schools
In this episode, we talk to Liz Woodham, Primary Coordinator at NRICH, about the Problem-solving Schools initiative and its aims to support the development of reasoning and problem-solving skills for pupils and students from Reception to post-16. Liz shares insights into the initiative's process, including the use of webinars and rich tasks to support schools, and we also look at the relationship
Oracy in the maths classroom - Part 2
In Part 2 of our episode on oracy with Jane Hawkins from the NCETM and Kathleen McBride from Voice 21, we explore the impact of the Maths Hubs’ Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs), strategies for implementing oracy in both primary and secondary education, and the importance of oracy for enhancing student learning and engagement.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Oracy in the maths classroom - Part 1
In Part 1 of our discussion with Kathleen McBride from Voice 21 and Jane Hawkins from the NCETM’s Secondary Team and Jurassic Maths Hub, we discuss the definition of oracy, its significance for students' mathematical development, behaviour and overall well-being, and the role of Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs) in exploring oracy's impact in classrooms. We also take a look at Voice 21’s
The NCETM Maths Podcast: Trailer
The NCETM Maths Podcast invites teachers, maths experts and anyone with a passion for teaching maths to talk about topics that shine a light on great maths teaching. With ideas for classroom activities, inspirational stories of careers in maths, and lively debates on contemporary topics, the NCETM podcast has something for everyone.
Most episodes are around 20 minutes long – perfect for your jour
Training to teach maths with Teach First
In this episode, Early Career Teachers from primary and secondary schools talk about their experiences of training to teach with Teach First, how they have honed their maths teaching skills, and what they have learned in their first years in the classroom.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Emily Dixon, Year 1 teacher at Tinsley M
Early maths concepts: doubles
In this episode of the podcast, Rebecca and Sue explore the foundations of doubles in Reception and discuss how this concept is built on in KS1 and beyond. Having both been teachers in Early Years or KS1, they reflect on their own experiences and share practical tips for the classroom.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Sue Evans,
Understanding Dyscalculia
In this episode of the podcast, we speak to Cat Eadle, a teacher, dyscalculia specialist and co-founder of the Dyscalculia Network. Our conversation explores what dyscalculia is, how it differs from other maths difficulties, and how teachers can facilitate an early diagnosis. We also discuss the importance of teaching ‘maths for life’ skills, dyscalculia in the secondary maths classroom, and how t
I Can't Do Maths - Part 3
In this third and final part of this podcast episode, we conclude our conversation with Professors Alf Coles and Nathalie Sinclair about the dogmas they address in their book, I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference. In this part of the conversation, we put your questions, shared with us on social media, to Alf and Nathalie, and discuss topics including maths anxiety and
I Can't Do Maths - Part 2
In Part 2 of Episode 78 of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Professors Alf Coles and Nathalie Sinclair continue their discussion about the dogmas in maths teaching and learning, with host Julia Thomson. We explore the misconceptions that ‘maths is culture-free’ and that 'maths is for some people and not for others'. We also scrutinise the notion that ‘maths is hard because it is abstract’ and discuss the
I Can't Do Maths - Part 1
In this episode, we talk to Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair about their book, I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference. In the book, Alf and Nathalie identify, unpick and challenge some of the most commonly-held beliefs about maths teaching and learning. In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore the background to the book and the first two dogmas, or m
Maths games - Part 2
In Part 2 of our discussion with Dr Ems Lord and Liz Woodham from NRICH and Grace Coker from the EEF, we explore how games can facilitate collaborative problem-solving, encourage parental engagement and make homework more enjoyable.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Ems Lord, Director of NRICH, University of Cambridge
Liz Woodham
Maths Games - Part 1
In Part 1 of this discussion with Dr Ems Lord and Liz Woodham from NRICH and Grace Coker from the EEF, we explore the many benefits of using maths games in both primary and secondary classrooms.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Ems Lord, Director of NRICH, University of Cambridge
Liz Woodham, Primary Coordinator, NRICH, Universi
Hear from a headteacher: top reasons to work with a Maths Hub
Find out about the benefits of getting involved in the work of your local Maths Hub as a participating school, but also what the impact is of having some of your staff become Local Leaders of Maths Education (LLME).
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Sarah Smith, Headteacher Advocate and Executive Headteacher at St Cuthbert's Cath
Maths anxiety
Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, Sue Johnston-Wilder, discusses the prevalence of anxiety in our maths classrooms.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Sue Johnston-Wilder, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Warwick and co-founder of the international Mathematical Resilience Network
Re
Using number lines in Key Stage 2
We explore how number lines can be used at KS2 to support children to develop a greater understanding of the linear number system and prepare them for secondary maths.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Jennifer Ruddock, deputy headteacher, Corrie Primary School, Denton
Jordanna Worrall, head of maths, Denton Community College, De
Using algebra tiles at KS3
A secondary maths teacher explains the benefits of using algebra tiles, and shares some practical tips.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Lizi Pepper, secondary maths teacher and KS3 maths lead at Tytherington School, and Secondary Mastery Specialist
Becky Donaldson, NCETM Assistant Director for Secondary
Beth Goodliff, Senior Co
Secondary Mastery Specialists
Two Secondary Mastery Specialists explain the benefits of mastery to them, their departments, and their students.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Beth Goodliff, Senior Communications Manager at the NCETM
Paula Kelly, Secondary Mastery Specialist, LLME, Maths PGCE tutor, and teacher at Fulford School in York
Tom Lumley, Secondar
Maths vocabulary
A primary maths lead in an area of high social and economic deprivation explains how a mastery approach to teaching precise mathematical vocabulary is giving pupils in her school a voice.
A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Julia Thomson, Communications Manager at the NCETM
Victoria Moore, maths lead and Year 5 teacher, Usworth Col
Maths4Girls
We speak to Maths4Girls, who provide inspirational speakers and role models to talk to students about why girls can and should study maths.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Beth Goodliff, Senior Comms Manager at the NCETM
Mina Gerowin, founder of Maths4Girls
Alison Rowan McEwan, executive director at Founders4Schools
Noshin Begum, marketing and comms lead for Maths4Girls
Lou Hoskyns-Stapl
Grants for maths projects
Every year the SHINE organisation gives grants to schools and individual teachers to develop ideas related to maths learning. We find out more about the grants and how the application system works. We also talk to to primary teachers about the projects they've received funding for.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Eleanor Heathcote, SHINE
Roy Clutterbuck, Byron Wood Primary School, Sheffi
Lessons from GCSE maths exams in summer 2022
In summer 2022, for the first time since 2019, large-scale GCSE exams took place in school and college halls and gyms. And, just like every year before the pandemic, they were marked externally. What have we learnt? In this discussion, representatives from the awarding bodies give feedback from the hundreds of thousands of papers that were marked.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
Mark Hes
From GCSE Maths resits to primary school maths lead
Hollie Burgess teaches maths to Year 6 at a one-form entry primary school in Rutland. She’s recently taken on the role of maths lead. But she hasn’t always found maths easy – in fact her experience of maths GCSE was tortuous and demoralising. In this conversation Hollie shares the insights her experience has given her, into what some of her pupils might be experiencing. And she encourages teachers
Teaching about climate change in the maths classroom
Two authors talk about their new resources and suggest tips for addressing social issues through maths
There’s undoubtedly plenty of maths in climate change science. But how can teachers bring some of this real-life data into the classroom, allowing students to see maths as a tool to help interpret the world? Is this a maths teacher’s responsibility, or should they stick to more abstract maths? Wh
Susan Okereke: What I think about when starting with new classes
A wide ranging conversation covering engagement, curriculum, classroom culture, and preparing students for maths beyond school
Susan Okereke is a secondary maths teacher in London, recently moving to St. Mark’s Academy in South London as Lead Practitioner in maths. She also leads Work Groups for the London SE Plus Maths Hub. Beyond that, she has developed a role as an independent ‘maths communicat
The ECT and the mentor
How can a maths department and mentor best support their maths ECT?
Sarah Williams is one of 2021/22’s maths Early Career Teachers (ECTs), and Scott Gibson is her mentor, with two decades of experience teaching maths. We talk to them about how department collaborative planning procedures and open, approachable mentoring have made Sarah’s first year in teaching ‘fantastic’!
Show notes
Taking part i
Debbie Morgan discusses differentiation
NCETM’s Director for Primary tells us why she thinks teachers no longer need to provide different work for different children
Debbie Morgan, NCETM Director for Primary, has been considering the practice of differentiation in the primary maths classroom – specifically the practice of planning for different questioning and supplementary tasks for different groups of children, even where most of the
Support, ideas and information for teaching Core Maths
A conversation with the AMSP's Core Maths coordinator, and an enthusiastic Core Maths teacher
Cat van Saarloos coordinates support and development of Core Maths for the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP); Sam Halls-Barker teaches Core Maths in Essex. From the conversation, we find out what lessons are like and pick up some inspiring lesson ideas. We hear all about the support available
Moving from primary teaching to secondary maths
A teacher explains why, and how, he's moving from a primary school to a secondary maths department
After five years as a primary teacher, Rob Shaw realised he wanted something different. That turned out to be a job as a maths teacher in a nearby secondary school. In this podcast episode he explains how it all came about, and how he feels as the first day in his new job approaches.
Show notes
Taki
Using number lines in secondary maths
Five suggested number lines for use in KS3 and KS4 maths lessons
Becky Donaldson, from the NCETM's Secondary Team suggests five different number lines for use in lessons, including one appropriate for use with students aiming at the higher GSCE grades.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Becky Donaldson, NCETM Assistant Director for Secondary Mathematics
Steve McCormack, NCETM Communicat
The PE teacher in the maths department
Simon Hemsworth, who trained as a PE teacher, is now in a role called transition teacher at an Oxfordshire secondary school, a role in which he teaches about ten lessons of KS3 maths every week. To support him in this new role, the school enrolled him on a training programme for non-specialist secondary maths teachers, run by his local Maths Hub. In this episode he discusses his experience with hi
How early primary maths influences school-wide teaching
Two teachers at a school following a programme that concentrates on building firm foundations of early maths understanding explain how it has led to positive changes in the way maths is taught right up the school.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Nicky White, Maths Lead and Nursery teacher at St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Bedlington, Northumberland
Claire Clark, Year 1 teacher at
Using number lines in Key Stage 1
Five ways to use a number line for maths in Years 1 and 2.
The NCETM's Director for Primary Mathematics, Debbie Morgan, suggests a progression of five different number lines to help children build understanding of the relationships between numbers from 1 to 20. In the discussion, she suggest ways for teachers to draw out pupils' reasoning skills, use of language and the beginning of understanding
The research mathematician and his A Level teacher
GCSE maths teachers will recognise the profile of the disengaged 15-year-old that understands maths easily but hasn’t the motivation to put in the work for a really good grade. This student will often drop maths post-16, or if they don’t, you might lose sight of them as they go to college or join another teacher’s A level group.
If you have seen a few of these characters through your doors, you ma
Introduction to the DfE KS3 Maths Guidance
Mathematics Guidance: Key Stage 3 was published by the DfE in September 2021, but how much have teachers and departments managed to read and familiarise themselves with it? And how can it be used to support teaching in secondary schools? This interview explores the guidance and how it might be used, with Carol Knights who led the writing of it, and Carrie Martin, who is beginning to use it with th
Teaching maths in a special school
In either a special school or a mainstream setting, no two pupils with special needs have the same abilities or difficulties. A secondary maths lead in a special school explains how she and her colleagues adapt maths teaching so that all pupils can engage and learn, and tells us about a Maths Hub Work Group which focuses on ways to teach maths to pupils with SEND.
Show notes
Taking part in the dis
Embedding mastery in a primary school
Embedding teaching for mastery in a classroom and across a primary school takes time. In this episode two teachers tell how working with their Maths Hub has gradually led to improvements in maths learning across their schools.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Ellie Kelly, Maths Lead and Y1/2 teacher at The Revel C of E Primary School, near Rugby
Becky O’Neill, Assistant Principal and
Using Checkpoints in the Year 7 classroom
The new NCETM Checkpoints resources are designed to support Year 7 teachers in formatively assessing what mathematical understanding their students have brought from primary school. Four PowerPoint decks are already published, full of activities and supported by teacher guidance. The rest will be published over the course of the year.
This podcast episode discusses Checkpoints with Becky Donaldson
Maths education books – reviewed and distilled
Lisa Coe reviews education books, alongside being primary maths lead for a MAT in the East of England. In this interview she talks about the maths books that she has found most useful, what she has learned from them and why she writes a blog to summarise their most useful points.
Many of the books she reads are written by secondary maths specialists, and she talks about what these can offer primar
Starting out with a new maths class
The first few lessons with a new class can be the most important. If rules, routines and relationships are established clearly, there's a good chance the year will go smoothly. In this podcast, teachers from three different secondary schools discuss what's worked well for them in the past.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Adam Creen, head of post-16 maths at Salesian College in Surrey
Remote teaching: the digital revolution?
Two tech-enthusiastic teachers discuss what’s been learned by remote teaching, and what still limits learning
This podcast was recorded in July 2021 in the final weeks of a very disrupted school year.
Over the past decade, Andy has been exploring the possibilities offered to maths teaching by ‘digital ink’ (being able to hand-write on a screen). He found this invaluable to his teaching during the
Our Tuesday Twitter-based chats
Secondary maths teachers Gemma Scott and Kathryn Darwin both occasionally host the NCETM’s Tuesday evening Twitter-based chat under the hashtag #mathscpdchat. Why do they do it? Aren’t they busy enough as senior members of their maths departments? And why do they think these chats can provide powerful CPD for maths teachers, even those who don’t use Twitter?
Show notes
Taking part in the discussi
Remote teaching returns 2 – Steph Elliot
Steph Elliot is Year 6 teacher and Maths Lead at a one-form entry school in Newcastle. When the country went into lockdown in January 2021, the school started to provide half an hour live input for each class every day. Steph talks about the advantages and difficulties of teaching live online lessons and shares some resources she has created. She also talks about her involvement with Maths Hub CPD
Should more girls be taking A level Maths?
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Louise Maule, Project Lead, Maths4Girls
Enuma Afulukwe, Head of Maths, The Hemel Hempstead School
Steve McCormack, NCETM Communications Director
Episode chapters
00:06 – Introduction and overview of Maths4Girls
02:26 – Why is this necessary?
06:06 – How do schools take part?
11:56 – One school’s experience
Useful links
Maths4Girls webpage: www.founde
Remote teaching returns 1 – Kyle Evans and Kathryn Darwin
Kyle Evans has been teaching live online lessons, at his sixth form college in Hampshire since March, including a blended approach during autumn 2020. Kathryn Darwin’s school opted for an asynchronous approach during March 2020 lockdown but in January 2021 has has moved to a full online timetable. They discuss what works to help teach maths well online, and how to promote interaction with self-con
Teaching through the pandemic 6 – James Cresswell
James Cresswell teaches at a large secondary school in Suffolk where ability-setting in maths is well established, for all year groups. To reduce movement and numbers of contacts during the pandemic, the school took the decision to teach Key Stage 3 in their mixed attainment form groups in autumn 2020. This has been a big change for the department, and James tells us how he has made the most of it
Teaching through the pandemic 5 – Kate Jackson
Kate Jackson teaches Year 4 part-time at a small, coastal primary school in Suffolk. She is also an NCETM Mastery Specialist and a Forest School leader. She describes herself as ‘on a mission to get children outdoors and loving maths’ and her work in the rest of her week is all about combining these two enthusiasms. In this conversation she explains why getting children outdoors is particularly im
Core Maths five years on
This interview offers a view from the Merseyside classroom of Jack Ndebu, a new teacher of Core Maths, and his experiences with support offered by the Maths Hub network and AMSP. His experiences are complimented by a view of the national picture from Rachel Mathieson, who has been researching the successes and challenges of Core Maths in its first 5 years.
Show notes
Taking part in the conversatio
Teaching through the pandemic 4 – Nikki Bailey
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Nikki Bailey: deputy head, SENCO and Year 1 teacher from Oldfield Primary School, Chester.
Gwen Tresidder: NCETM Communications Manager
Useful links
During the conversation, Nikki mentions Teach Active, the active learning resource package used by her school.
A definition of 'active learning' along with further reading suggestions can be found on the W
Teaching through the pandemic 3: Simon Ball
Simon Ball teaches A level and GCSE resit at a sixth form college in central Manchester. The college are reducing numbers of students on site by only having half year groups in at a time. Since September Simon has been teaching half his class online while the other half engage with the lesson from home. He talks to us about this juggling act, what works well, the pitfalls and also some unexpected
Teaching through the pandemic 2 – Gemma Scott
Gemma Scott is Director of Maths at a large 11-18 comprehensive school in east Yorkshire. Restrictions to reduce virus transmission in schools limit teachers’ opportunity to assess student progress in many of the usual ways. Circulating the classroom to help individuals, and marking books, for example, are subject to new restrictions in most schools. Gemma discusses how her department have approac
Teaching through the pandemic 1 – Martyn Yeo
Martyn Yeo teaches Year 4 at a primary school in Warwickshire. In this episode, he discusses the benefits of using manipulatives for teaching maths, and how restrictions on sharing equipment means that he has had to adapt. He discusses the use of online versions of his favourite manipulatives and other ways he has adjusted his usual approach.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Martyn Ye
Lockdown Episode 10 - Hisham Alhassan
Hisham Alhassan is a secondary maths teacher and Key Stage 5 coordinator at a school in Oxfordshire. In this episode, he discusses the school’s decision not to bring Year 12 students back into the building, some tactics he has deployed for engaging participation during online lessons, and his increased involvement in the maths education CPD community during school closure. Taking on a new role as
Year 10 come back – one school's story
Deb Friis is a secondary maths teacher and Research Associate at a research school in Sussex. She also co-leads on secondary mastery for the Sussex Maths Hub. In this interview she talks about what it’s like to be back teaching Y10 students, how research has informed her maths department’s priorities during this period, and their early thoughts about September. She also talks about the difficultie
Learning in Lockdown 8 – Melissa Molnar
Melissa Molnar is a Canadian teacher who moved to London for experience and never quite left! She teaches Year 1 (though is currently in an EYFS bubble) and leads maths across her school and the larger school partnership. Melissa talks about her thinking behind planning the partnership’s home learning curriculum, the recovery curriculum and about her involvement in creating the NCETM Primary Lesso
Learning in Lockdown 7 – Laura Behan
Laura Behan talks about working in the EYFS keyworker bubble as the rest of her school opens up to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. We hear about how the school has organised staff, children and the buildings, and how they are providing learning from home and support for the rest of the pupils.
We hope that this interview, and others, will generate ideas and allow listeners to reflect on what works b
Learning in Lockdown 6 – Craig Tilstone
Craig Tilstone talks about the difficulty of engagement in remote learning in an area with a low socio-economic profile. He talks about the decisions made and steps taken that have improved engagement in maths learning. And he gives an insight into the juggling act of doing all this while schooling his own children from home!
We hope that this interview, and others, will generate ideas and allow l
Learning in Lockdown 5 – Nick Edwards
Nick Edwards reflects on how his experience of supporting students through the Grenfell tragedy informed his school’s decision to provide regular video lessons for classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We hope that this interview, and others, will generate ideas and allow listeners to reflect on their own practice, remembering that different contexts require different approaches.
Show notes
Taking
Learning in Lockdown 4 – Dan Poulson
The fourth of our conversations exploring how schools and teachers are managing the challenges of providing remote learning in maths, supporting students and looking after their own wellbeing during the COVID-19 school closures.
We hope that this interview, and others, will generate ideas and allow you to reflect on your own practice, remembering that different contexts will require different appr
Learning in Lockdown 3 – Laurie Luscombe
The third of our conversations exploring how schools and teachers are managing the challenges of providing remote learning in maths, supporting students and looking after their own well-being during the Covid-19 school closures.
We hope that this interview, and others, will generate ideas and allow listeners to reflect on their own practice, remembering that different contexts will require differe
Learning in Lockdown 2 – Jo Brown
The second of our conversations exploring how schools and teachers are managing the challenges of providing remote learning in maths, supporting students and looking after their own well-being during the Covid-19 school closures.
We hope that this interview, and others, will generate ideas and allow listeners to reflect on their own practice, remembering that different contexts will require differ
Learning in Lockdown 1 – Kathryn Darwin
Since late March schools across England have been closed to most pupils due to the coronavirus pandemic. This podcast explores how schools and teachers are managing the challenges of providing remote learning in maths, supporting students and looking after their own well-being in an unprecedented situation.
Provision of mass remote learning is new to all teachers – where we might normally turn to
Two London secondary schools engaging with teaching for mastery
Creating time out of class for secondary teachers to engage in professional development activities, inside and outside their own school, can sometimes be difficult. This episode talks to two headteachers, from neighbouring schools in east London, who make it happen as a matter of policy. For several years, teachers from both schools have been released to take part in Maths Hubs activities, mainly
What mastery has done for our school
Jenny Laurie is a deputy head and maths teacher at The St Marylebone CE School in central London. The school was one of the very earliest to adopt a teaching for mastery approach in maths.
When two maths teachers visited Shanghai, they were particularly struck by the collaborative nature of curriculum planning there, and resolved to introduce a more collegiate way of planning at St Marylebone.
Ini
Eugenia Cheng rethinks gender around maths
Eugenia Cheng rethinks gender around maths
Dr Eugenia Cheng is a research mathematician who teaches maths to arts students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She was born and educated in England and is an honorary hellow at the University of Sheffield. Eugenia holds a strong commitment to making maths accessible to all, and to this end, is the author of a number of popular maths books
An audience with the exam boards: the new A level and GCSE 9-1
An audience with the exam boards: the new A level and GCSE 9-1
This year, our podcast with the exam boards focuses on the new reformed A level, first examined for a whole cohort this summer (2019). We also discuss how things are going with the 9-1 GCSE, now in its third year. Representatives from England’s three main exam boards share their thoughts on how students got on, what the implications ar
Managing maths in mixed-age classes
Managing maths in mixed-age classes
The current National Curriculum, introduced in 2013, divides mathematical learning clearly into ‘year group objectives’. This has led teachers to ask how to manage year group objectives for two or more year groups within one class of children.
Many Maths Hubs have responded by running ‘innovation’ Work Groups, to support these teachers, using various different m
Making the most of our new secondary mastery materials
In this first episode of the new school year, we interview three of the people behind the recently published Secondary Mastery Professional Development Materials. They explain how the materials can help departments and teachers develop their maths pedagogy to teach for deep and connected understanding. They offer teachers suggestions for how the materials might be used, where they might start and
How mastery works in a secondary school maths department
In this podcast, the last of the 2018/19 school year, we find out how a secondary school maths department works together to ensure all maths lessons in Years 7 and 8 are consistent in approach—and it’s a teaching for mastery approach developed by the department gradually over three years. One of the teachers interviewed has just finished the first year of training, with the NCETM and his local Mat
Behind the scenes of the Mastery Readiness Programme
In this podcast, we visit Spring Bank Primary School in Leeds and talk to headteacher, Sarah Hawes and maths lead, Tracey Baruah. With 40 years’ experience between them, they explain their enthusiasm for what the Mastery Readiness Programme is offering the children in their school.
The Mastery Readiness Programme began work with a small number of schools in the Northern Powerhouse in 2018/19. The
Teaching the hardest topics in GCSE maths
Teaching the hardest topics in GCSE maths
Which are the hardest topics in GCSE maths? You will know some by reputation. Some might surprise you. What can you do to make these topics more accessible to students? In particular, how can you unlock a depth of understanding that allows students to use their knowledge flexibly and in unfamiliar situations?
The Maths Hub network’s national project, ‘Chal
Why and how to use the ‘ping-pong’ teaching style
The episodic or ‘ping-pong' teaching approach is one of the most striking features of a mastery-style lesson. But what is it exactly and how does it affect decisions when planning lessons?
In this podcast, Primary Mastery Specialists Faye Glendinning and Sam Shutkever take us through the gritty detail of episodic lesson planning.
They explain the theory and how it is implemented in their schools.
Raising girls' participation in maths
After GCSE, 20% fewer girls than boys continue studying maths. This limits their access to some of the more challenging, interesting and lucrative careers. But why? In this podcast episode we speak with Rachel Beddoes, Girls’ Participation Coordinator of the Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP). She explains what the barriers are for girls, and what teachers and schools can do to overcome these
Primary maths teaching in Shanghai: an exchange teacher’s view
How does maths teaching in a primary school in Shanghai look and feel to an experienced observing teacher from an English school? A Mastery Specialist from Leicestershire, who was among a group of teachers from Maths Hubs who visited Shanghai during school year 2018/19, gives her impressions.
Show notes
Taking part in the discussion are:
Afshah Deen, Primary Mastery Specialist and Year 2 teacher a
Recommended
CAA on General Aviation
Nick Ferrari - The Whole Show
World Questions
InsideAIR
Off Court With Greg Rusedski
IELTS, OET and UKMLA PLAB 2 Made Easy Podcast For Medical Professionals
The Systemic Way
Trauma Bonding to Secure Relationship
Golden's Oldies
Lucy & Sam's Perfect Brains
The ADHD Adults Podcast
RHISE: Real History in Simple English (B2-C1, British)
