The NCETM Maths Podcast

• Evaluating Maths Hubs’ impact with the EEF

  In this episode, the NCETM’s Dr Jen Shearman, Paul Rowlandson and Sue Evans discuss the upcoming EEF-funded trials of two important Maths Hubs programmes in 2025/26. The conversation explores the role of external evaluation, the challenges of conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and what the findings could mean for maths education. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion: Jen Shearman, Director for Evaluation and Impact, NCETM Sue Evans, Assistant Director for Primary, NCETM Paul Rowlandson, Assistant Director for School and Professional Development, NCETM Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM. Episode chapters 00:00 Introduction and welcome 01:12 Meet the team and overview of the EEF trials 01:57 Understanding the EEF and its role 03:31 The NCETM's involvement with the EEF 06:11 Introduction to the SKTM Secondary Non-specialist Teachers Programme 09:28 Introduction to the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme 12:02 Challenges in conducting the trials 22:01 Hopes and expectations from the trials 31:04 Conclusion and how to get involved. Useful links Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Secondary Non-specialist Teachers Programme Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Mastering Number at KS2 Blog post on the EEF trials: Going for gold standard Evaluating our programmes in 2025/26 EEF trial of the Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM Programme EEF trial of the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme TIMMS 2023 Report Coordinating mathematical success: the mathematics subject report (2023) Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.

  --------  

  32:35
• Secondary Maths: Inside the EEF Practice Review

  In this episode, the NCETM’s Dr. Jen Shearman and Carol Knights discuss the EEF’s Secondary maths practice review. The review identifies some of the challenges facing leaders of maths in English schools, including the national shortage of maths teachers, the widening gap between disadvantaged students and their peers, the need for greater focus on students in KS3, and the ways maths departments are approaching these challenges. Jen and Carol also touch upon the implications for the NCETM and the Maths Hubs Programme, and the projects underway to address the issues highlighted in the review. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion: Carol Knights, Director for Secondary Maths, NCETM Dr. Jen Shearman, Director for Evaluation and Impact, NCETM Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM. Episode chapters 00:00 Introduction and welcome 01:19 Overview of the EEF Secondary maths practice review 03:02 Key findings: teacher skills and expertise 04:24 Addressing the shortage of maths teachers 05:11 Impact of COVID on disadvantaged students 07:35 The importance of mathematical talk 10:01 Integrating problem-solving in maths lessons 13:02 Use of representations and manipulatives in secondary maths 16:16 NCETM and Maths Hubs professional development 18:39 Future directions and recommendations 22:43 Conclusion and final thoughts. Useful links EEF Secondary maths practice review (2024) Maths Hubs Securing Foundations in Year 7 project Maths Hubs Secondary Non-specialist Teachers (SKTM) Programme Maths Hubs Years 5-8 Continuity project Oracy Education Commission We Need to Talk (2024) Ofsted Coordinating Mathematical Success: the mathematics subject report (2023). Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.

  --------  

  25:33
• Problem-solving schools

  In this episode, we talk to Liz Woodham, Primary Coordinator at NRICH, about the Problem-solving Schools initiative and its aims to support the development of reasoning and problem-solving skills for pupils and students from Reception to post-16. Liz shares insights into the initiative's process, including the use of webinars and rich tasks to support schools, and we also look at the relationship between problem-solving and reasoning and their importance in a well-rounded maths education. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. audio file Show notes Taking part in the discussion: Liz Woodham, Primary Coordinator, NRICH, University of Cambridge Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM. Episode chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:00 Problem-solving Schools initiative 05:08 The Kilpatrick Rope Model 08:39 The Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery 10:26 Framework and goals of the Problem-solving Schools initiative 17:22 ‘NRICH-style’ problems and SATs-style problems 20:05 Developing a ‘productive disposition’ 22:16 Making time for problem-solving 26:12 What is reasoning and problem-solving? 29:52 Exploring and noticing 37:26 Conclusion and how to get involved. Useful links NRICH Problem-solving Schools initiative NRICH Kilpatrick Rope Model NRICH game mentioned in podcast: Make 37 Previous NCETM Maths Podcast discussion with NRICH: Episode 77 - Maths Games Mentioned by Julia: Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery Feature on RIWGs: Research and Innovation in the Maths Hubs Network Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.

  --------  

  40:16
• Oracy in the maths classroom - Part 2

  In Part 2 of our episode on oracy with Jane Hawkins from the NCETM and Kathleen McBride from Voice 21, we explore the impact of the Maths Hubs’ Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs), strategies for implementing oracy in both primary and secondary education, and the importance of oracy for enhancing student learning and engagement. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion: Kathleen McBride, Senior Learning and Innovation Lead, Voice 21 Jane Hawkins, Assistant Director for Secondary, NCETM, and Assistant Maths Hub Lead, Jurassic Maths Hub Julia Thomson, Communications Manager, NCETM. Episode chapters 00:06 Welcome and introductions 00:51 Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs) 02:28 Impact of Oracy RIWGs 04:41 Talk strategies 08:25 What does successful oracy look like? 10:58 The teacher’s role 12:18 Different types of talk 18:35 Oracy in secondary education 22:17 Ideas for teachers 25:44 Misconceptions about oracy 28:52 Resources and further reading 30:31 Conclusion. Useful links Listen to Part 1 of this podcast episode All-Party Parliamentary Group Report: Speak for Change (2021) Voice 21 website Voice 21 Talk Tactics and How to develop independent student discussion Voice 21 Talking Point publication (2023) Voice 21 Oracy Benchmarks report (2019) Voice 21 Impact Report (2022-23) NCETM Primary Curriculum Prioritisation materials NCETM Checkpoints for KS3 Interthinking: Putting Talk to Work by Karen Littleton & Neil Mercer (Routledge, 2013) Talking Points: Discussion Activities in the Primary Classroom by Lynn Dawes (Routledge, 2012) Find your local Maths Hub Maths Hubs Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs) Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive The NCETM Maths Podcast on Instagram.

  --------  

  31:16
• Oracy in the maths classroom - Part 1

  In Part 1 of our discussion with Kathleen McBride from Voice 21 and Jane Hawkins from the NCETM’s Secondary Team and Jurassic Maths Hub, we discuss the definition of oracy, its significance for students' mathematical development, behaviour and overall well-being, and the role of Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs) in exploring oracy's impact in classrooms. We also take a look at Voice 21’s Oracy Framework for schools and teachers. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion: Kathleen McBride, Senior Learning and Innovation Lead, Voice 21 Jane Hawkins, Assistant Director for Secondary, NCETM, and Assistant Maths Hub Lead, Jurassic Maths Hub Julia Thomson, Communications Manager, NCETM. Episode chapters 00:06 Welcome and introductions 03:03 Definition, importance and research 08:58 Oracy challenges and misconceptions 13:01 Oracy Research and Innovation Work Groups 14:21 Oracy’s impact on learning 15:54 Purposeful talk 17:07 The Oracy Framework 19:54 Oracy in the maths classroom 28:33 Reflecting on teaching practice 30:15 Conclusion. Useful links All-Party Parliamentary Group Report Speak for Change Voice 21 Impact Report 2022-2023 Voice 21 Oracy Framework Maths Hubs Research and Innovation Work Groups Bullock Report: A Language for Life (Bullock, 1975) EEF Dialogic Teaching Report (2017, 2022) School 21 and University of Cambridge Oracy Programme Pilot (2013/14) Coordinating Mathematical Success: the mathematics subject report (Ofsted, 2023) Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive The NCETM Maths Podcast on Instagram.

  --------  

  31:07

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About The NCETM Maths Podcast