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Teaching Maths in Small Schools: Mixed-Age Classes, Mastery and Oracy
In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, we explore the unique joys and challenges of teaching maths in small schools and mixed-age classes. Jon Cripwell and Becky Brown reflect on their conversation with two inspiring educators whose work spans classroom teaching, national leadership, and system-wide school improvement.
👥 Our guests:
- Aimée Tinkler has been a teacher and school leader for over 20 years, including 8 years as a headteacher in Derbyshire. She is President-elect of the Chartered College of Teaching, engaged in doctoral research at UCL Institute of Education, and the author of Small and Mighty – Conversations about Small Schools (publishing this autumn).
- Helen Bowen has over 13 years of experience in primary education, including roles as class teacher, lead practitioner, and headteacher. A passionate maths educator, she is a Primary Mastery Specialist and Local Leader in Maths Education with the GLOW Maths Hub and is now Director of Mathematics at Excelsior Multi Academy Trust.
🧠 Topics covered include:
- How to adapt the mastery approach for mixed-age classrooms
- The power of oracy and reasoning talk in maths
- Structuring consistent maths teaching without rigid schemes
- The vital role of teaching assistants in small schools
- Leadership and collaboration in multi-role staff settings
🔍 Also in this episode:
- 🧩 Becky’s deep dive into competitive speed jigsaw puzzling (yes, it’s a thing!)
- 🔢 Maths of Life: Why we count in base 10—and what other number bases you're secretly using every day
🛠 Resource of the Week:
The Twinkl Maths App – a gamified fluency tool aligned with the Ready to Progress criteria. Great for interventions, rewards effort, and works brilliantly in small school settings.
📥 Free downloadable PDF with key takeaways, CPD clips and resources:
Search for Primary Maths Podcast at twinkl.co.uk.
📧 Feedback or questions?
Email us at [email protected]
🔜 Next week’s episode:
Jon speaks to Omar Jennings, headteacher at Nightingale Primary in London, about how Number Talks are transforming oracy and conceptual understanding.
View all episodes
By Jon CripwellIn this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, we explore the unique joys and challenges of teaching maths in small schools and mixed-age classes. Jon Cripwell and Becky Brown reflect on their conversation with two inspiring educators whose work spans classroom teaching, national leadership, and system-wide school improvement.
👥 Our guests:
- Aimée Tinkler has been a teacher and school leader for over 20 years, including 8 years as a headteacher in Derbyshire. She is President-elect of the Chartered College of Teaching, engaged in doctoral research at UCL Institute of Education, and the author of Small and Mighty – Conversations about Small Schools (publishing this autumn).
- Helen Bowen has over 13 years of experience in primary education, including roles as class teacher, lead practitioner, and headteacher. A passionate maths educator, she is a Primary Mastery Specialist and Local Leader in Maths Education with the GLOW Maths Hub and is now Director of Mathematics at Excelsior Multi Academy Trust.
🧠 Topics covered include:
- How to adapt the mastery approach for mixed-age classrooms
- The power of oracy and reasoning talk in maths
- Structuring consistent maths teaching without rigid schemes
- The vital role of teaching assistants in small schools
- Leadership and collaboration in multi-role staff settings
🔍 Also in this episode:
- 🧩 Becky’s deep dive into competitive speed jigsaw puzzling (yes, it’s a thing!)
- 🔢 Maths of Life: Why we count in base 10—and what other number bases you're secretly using every day
🛠 Resource of the Week:
The Twinkl Maths App – a gamified fluency tool aligned with the Ready to Progress criteria. Great for interventions, rewards effort, and works brilliantly in small school settings.
📥 Free downloadable PDF with key takeaways, CPD clips and resources:
Search for Primary Maths Podcast at twinkl.co.uk.
📧 Feedback or questions?
Email us at [email protected]
🔜 Next week’s episode:
Jon speaks to Omar Jennings, headteacher at Nightingale Primary in London, about how Number Talks are transforming oracy and conceptual understanding.