The NCETM Maths Podcast

We need to talk: exploring the Oracy Commission Report


Listen Later

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 disadvantage attainment gap, and specific recommendations for embedding oracy into professional development for teachers. Geoff references valuable insights and case studies, including contributions from experts such as Tim Oates and David Thomas, as well as practical examples from schools successfully implementing oracy strategies.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

audio file here

Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:
  • Geoff Barton, Chair of the Oracy Education Commission
  • Jane Hawkins, Assistant Director for Secondary Mathematics, NCETM
  • Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM.
  • Episode chapters
    • 00:00 Introduction to the NCETM Maths Podcast
    • 01:22 Meet Jane Hawkins and Geoff Barton
    • 01:50 The importance of oracy in education
    • 03:19 Disciplinary oracy in mathematics
    • 04:17 Revelations about oracy from maths
    • 06:49 Challenges and solutions in teaching maths
    • 12:13 The role of teachers in oracy-rich classrooms
    • 15:04 The impact of oracy on student behaviour and engagement
    • 19:53 Assessment and the future of oracy
    • 27:48 Oracy and disadvantaged pupils
    • 36:46 Teacher professional development in oracy
    • 49:46 Conclusion and further resources.
    • Useful links
      • Oracy Education Commission report – We need to talk (October 2024)
      • The Commission Conversations – Tim Oates
      • The Commission Conversations – David Thomas
      • Discover more from the Commission Conversations podcast archive
      • NCETM feature: We need to talk (about maths) (February 2025)
      • Maths Hubs Research and Innovation Work Groups
      • Bullock Report: A Language for Life (HMSO, 1975)
      • EEF Secondary Maths Practice Review (June 2024)
      • The NCETM Maths Podcast – Oracy in the maths classroom
      • NCETM: The role of oracy in the context of teaching for mastery
      • All-Party Parliamentary Group Report, Speak for Change
      • Voice 21 Oracy Framework
      • TES article: Neil Mercer: Oracy is still not properly understood (May 2025)
      • Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.
      • ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        The NCETM Maths PodcastBy NCETM


        More shows like The NCETM Maths Podcast

        View all
        The Archers by BBC Radio 4

        The Archers

        1,055 Listeners

        Happy Place by Fearne Cotton

        Happy Place

        1,170 Listeners

        Help I Sexted My Boss by Audio Always

        Help I Sexted My Boss

        826 Listeners

        Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast) by Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast)

        Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast)

        39 Listeners

        How To Fail With Elizabeth Day by Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

        How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

        1,335 Listeners

        Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster by Plosive

        Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

        2,796 Listeners

        Sh**ged Married Annoyed by Chris & Rosie Ramsey

        Sh**ged Married Annoyed

        1,265 Listeners

        The High Performance Podcast by High Performance

        The High Performance Podcast

        634 Listeners

        The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan by Spiritland Creative

        The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

        330 Listeners

        My Therapist Ghosted Me by Global

        My Therapist Ghosted Me

        837 Listeners

        ZOE Science & Nutrition by ZOE

        ZOE Science & Nutrition

        1,991 Listeners

        That Peter Crouch Podcast by Tall or Nothing

        That Peter Crouch Podcast

        387 Listeners

        Off Air with Jane & Fi by The Times

        Off Air with Jane & Fi

        155 Listeners

        Where Are You Going? by Loftus Media

        Where Are You Going?

        32 Listeners

        The Louis Theroux Podcast by Spotify Studios

        The Louis Theroux Podcast

        537 Listeners