The NCETM Maths Podcast by NCETM

04.09.2024

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...

04.02.2024

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...

03.27.2024

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...

02.27.2024

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...

01.29.2024

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...

01.22.2024

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’...

01.17.2024

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...

01.15.2024

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...

11.16.2023

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...

11.09.2023

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...

09.28.2023

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...

08.17.2023

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...

08.10.2023

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...

07.26.2023

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...

07.04.2023

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...

07.03.2023

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...

06.08.2023

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...

12.14.2022

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...

10.12.2022

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,...

09.29.2022

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...

09.23.2022

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...

08.31.2022

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...

07.19.2022

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...

06.30.2022

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...

05.25.2022

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,...

04.25.2022

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...

04.21.2022

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...

04.05.2022

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...

03.09.2022

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...

02.21.2022

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...

01.24.2022

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,...

12.15.2021

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?...

10.20.2021

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...

10.08.2021

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...

10.05.2021

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...

09.06.2021

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...

08.26.2021

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...

07.08.2021

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...

05.18.2021

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...

02.11.2021

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....

02.03.2021

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...

01.21.2021

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...

12.10.2020

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...

12.01.2020

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’...

11.11.2020

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...

11.05.2020

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...

10.22.2020

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...

10.13.2020

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...

10.08.2020

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...

07.15.2020

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...

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