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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The NCETM Maths Podcast, from the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, 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 lively debates on contemporary topics, the NCETM podcast has something for everyone. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.