The NCETM Maths Podcast

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....

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...

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...

How does maths teaching in a secondary school in Shanghai look and feel to experienced observing teachers from secondary schools in England? Two Mastery Specialist teachers from North West England, who were among a group of teachers from Maths Hubs who visited Shanghai during school year 2018/19, give their impressions. Show notes Taking part in the discussion are: Jayne Watts, teacher at Alsager...

How do you become a Mastery Specialist? What are the personal and professional benefits? How can you have impact in your own school? And what happens when your skills take you even further? Leanne Casey tells us about her experiences. Show notes Taking part in the discussion are: Leanne Casey, Primary Mastery Specialist and Deputy Head at St. Michael’s CE Primary School in Bedworth, Coventry (a tw...

How do young children (Reception age and below) develop their early mathematical thinking? How do those teaching them help the children build a platform of understanding? And where does maths fit in to the wider picture of childhood development? Two experts in the field explain. Show notes Taking part in the discussion are: Dr Sue Gifford, Mathematics Education Department, Roehampton University Vi...

Two secondary teachers, one a head of department, explain how participating in a Maths Hub Work Group on mathematical thinking both helped their own teaching and sowed seeds of improvement in their departments. Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Satveer Bahia, from Platanos College, working with London Thames Maths Hub ( @Mathshub_LT ) Catriona Shearer ( @CShearer41 ) from Saffron Wald...

Representatives from England’s three main exam boards share their thoughts with us on the questions they set, how students (and questions!) performed, what they learned from social media and much more. Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Andrew Taylor (AQA) Graham Cumming (Edexcel) Neil Ogden (OCR) Gwen Tresidder (NCETM Communications Manager)

An interview with a teacher who’s taught Core Maths since its launch in 2014, and who now has a national role shaping professional development for the growing numbers of teachers following in his footsteps. Show notes:  Taking part in the discussion are: Tom Rainbow, Maths teacher, Ivybridge Community College, Devon, and Core Maths Professional Development Lead for the Advanced Mathematics Support...

Listen to three secondary maths teachers discuss the best CPD they have taken part in. What really works and why, and how do they think CPD can contribute to career progression? Show notes Taking part in the discussion are: Kathryn Darwin (@ arithmaticks ), Second in Mathematics Faculty at The Mirfield Free Grammar in Mirfield, West Yorkshire Fiona Roberts (@ fn_husker ), Head of Mathematics Facul...

A discussion with the head of a Birmingham primary school, in an area of educational under-achievement, which, working closely with its local Maths Hub, embraced teaching for mastery in 2016. Show notes:  Taking part in the discussion are: Helen Hastilow, headteacher of Slade Primary School in Birmingham Steve McCormack NCETM Communications Director Find out how your school could work on teaching...

A discussion with the two lead editors of the PD materials, to help teachers and schools implement a teaching for mastery approach, being produced by the NCETM and Maths Hubs. Show notes:  Taking part in the discussion are: Debbie Morgan, NCETM Director for Primary Clare Christie, Maths Lead, Ashley Downs Schools Federation, Bristol Jo Creamer, Maths Lead and Year 1 teacher, St Peter and St Paul C...

A discussion with two maths teachers, both heavily involved in the Maths Hubs project that is introducing teaching for mastery to secondary schools. Show notes:  Taking part in the discussion are: Frances Carr, Surrey Plus Maths Hub Lead, and a member of the national Maths Hub team coordinating the secondary school teaching for mastery project Simon Petri, Secondary Mastery Specialist, Surrey Plus...

A discussion where five teachers describe books—new and old—that have helped in their maths teaching. Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Martyn Yeo ( @martynyeouk ), primary maths teacher at an infants school in Nuneaton, Ben Gordon ( @mathsmrgordon ), secondary maths teacher at a school in Blackpool, Craig Barton (@ mrbartonmaths ) secondary maths teacher at a school in Bolton, Laura...

A discussion around how learning about fractions builds across the four transition years from KS2 to KS3, set in a context of a Maths Hubs national project looking at continuity of maths learning generally from Year 5 to Year 8.  Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Nicki Ashton, primary maths consultant in the London Borough of Wandsworth, and also leading a Work Group for the London So...

How an English primary teacher had his maths lesson observed while in Shanghai, and how this style of group lesson observation and refinement is becoming (partially) replicated in Maths Hubs work in England. Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Jonathan Leeming, Mastery Specialist and primary school teacher in Lancaster. Read his account in the NCETM Primary magazine of being observed in...

What did the exam boards learn when they marked papers taken by around 600 000 Year 11 students in the summer? And how can this help teachers prepare students for next summer? Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Andrew Taylor (AQA) Graham Cumming (Edexcel) Neil Ogden (OCR) Steve McCormack (NCETM Communications Director) See the NCETM’s Qualifications and Curriculum section for regular u...

What GCSE grade should entitle a student to get on an A level maths course? The NCETM Director, Charlie Stripp, is challenged by two secondary maths teachers to defend his assertion that a Grade 5 at GCSE is good enough.  Show notes: Taking part in the discussion are: Charlie Stripp (NCETM Director): Read his blog on post-16 maths . Jemma Sherwood: head of maths, and an SLE, at a secondary school...