Leading Primary Maths Podcast

Tom Manners, Liz Hopkins, and Steve Lomax discuss how primary maths leaders can move from setting September’s vision to checking whether it is being put into practice in October. They explore monthly reviews, meaningful assessment, evaluating teaching, and identifying potential challenges early—without creating unnecessary workload. They use their three lenses for maths leadership - Judging standards, Securing improvement and Evaluating teaching and learning each month to help maths leaders create their focus for the month.

Tom shares insights on the importance of separating new learning from revision sessions, encouraging educators to focus on cognitive overload and the effective use of class time. Liz emphasizes the need for a structured, dual-lesson approach that allows for both new content and crucial practice, while Steve discusses the importance of engaging with school leadership to secure necessary curriculum time for math. 

As September rolls in, the atmosphere in schools shifts significantly. For primary maths leaders, this month is not only about settling back into routine but also about setting the tone for the entire academic year. In this episode, Liz, Steve and Tom explore how primary maths leaders can effectively engage their staff and create a conducive environment for learning and improvement.

Key topics

• Establishing a shared vision for maths
• Evaluating teaching and learning in September
• Building sustainability in school improvement
• Using data to inform decisions
• Strategies for engaging staff and students

Chapters

00:16 Setting the Stage for September

03:13 The Role of Maths Leaders

06:16 Establishing a Vision for Maths

09:14 Creating a Shared Understanding

12:10 Evaluating Teaching and Learning

13:10 Strategies for Effective Teaching

18:16 Building Relationships and Trust

21:18 Judging Standards and Continuous Improvement

24:26 The Journey of Student Learning

30:31 Reflecting on Student Success and Curriculum Focus

34:07 Understanding the Lived Curriculum Experience

39:46 Transition Data and Sustainable Improvement

45:13 Evaluating Improvement Plans and Setting Priorities

51:42 Implementing Effective Strategies for Student Outcomes

Resources referenced

Can Do Maths - https://candomaths.com

EEF School Improvement Guidance - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Publications/EEF_School_Improvement_Guidance.pdf

Liz, Steve and Tom introduce the Leading Primary Maths Podcast series, who they are, the thinking behind the podcast and the three core challenges of maths leadership: judging standards, evaluating teaching and learning, and securing improvement.

www.leadingprimarymaths.co.uk

Key topics

• The importance of context in maths leadership
• The three mountains: judging standards, evaluating teaching, securing improvement
• The role of professional learning and embedding practices
• The significance of understanding current standards before making judgments
• The concept of navigating through the year with a clear structure
• The value of celebrating success and understanding the 'why' behind actions
• The impact of school culture and curriculum on math outcomes

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to primary maths leadership challenges

01:52 The importance of context and personal journey in leadership

04:01 The three mountains: judging standards, evaluating teaching, securing improvement

06:55 The role of professional learning and embedding practices

10:07 Structuring discussions around key leadership themes

12:55 The significance of celebrating success and understanding impact

16:02 The interconnectedness of school culture, curriculum, and teaching

19:00 The importance of honest judgment and continuous improvement

22:02 Sharing good practice and celebrating achievements

24:52 The journey of leadership and the importance of reflection