The NCETM Maths Podcast

Support, ideas and information for teaching Core Maths

The NCETM Maths Podcast

Show Notes

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, we find out what lessons are like and pick up some inspiring lesson ideas. We hear all about the support available from the Core Maths community and from a wide array of professional development. Below are links to all the resources mentioned in the discussion, and more. Show notes Taking part in the discussion are: Cat van Saarloos, Core Maths support and development coordinator for the AMSP. Sam Halls-Barker, teacher of Core Maths at Saffron Walden County High School, and Core Maths advocate for the AMSP. Gwen Tresidder, NCETM Communications Manager. Episode chapters 01:01 - What is Core Maths? 01:30 - What does Core Maths look like in Sam’s classroom? Fermi estimates, Personal finance, How much has it cost to keep you alive up to this point? Setting up a business. 06:36 - We don’t encounter ‘when will I ever use this maths?’ 07:21 - How many schools/students do Core Maths now? 08:41 - What do universities think of Core Maths? 09:13 - Where does Core Maths fit into a school/college’s post-16 offer? 13:23 - Working with exam board pre-release material 16:06 - Network meetings and professional development 23:21 - Lessons inspired by a news story 28:01 - Using a textbook 29:56 - Which students is Core Maths suitable for? 32:26 - Lessons on the Rwandan genocide and on Trump’s tax reforms. Useful links Sam tweets as @samhallsbarker Cat tweets as @CoreMathsCat and curates a page: Getting Started with Core Maths - Everything you need to know about Core Maths in one place. The Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP) What’s going on in this graph? A resource from the New York Times, with graphs from real data and suggested classroom prompts Questions inspired by a news story A blog of resources and suggestions for use, by Mark Dawes Integral: AMSP’s online platform providing free resources for Core Maths and AS/A level Maths and Further Maths to teachers, and also student resources to support learning AS/A level Further Maths. Core Maths resources from AMSP Which Core Maths Professional Development course is right for me? AMSP and Maths Hubs’ Core Maths CPD, including free online festival (June/July 2022) and Core Maths Conference in Birmingham (18th June 2022)

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In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Howard Astley-Jones talks with Professor Paul Glaister CBE about the origins, development and impact of Core Maths since its introduction in the mid-2010s. They discuss why the qualification was created to address the gap for students progressing beyond GCSE without taking A level Maths, and how it supports problem solving, quantitative reasoning, statistics and communication for higher education and employment. Paul reflects on policy drivers, including the Royal Society and other reports, and the importance of university support and universal provision. Howard shares recent entry trends and the role of the Core Maths Premium, and outlines AMSP and Maths Hubs professional development pathways and support for teachers. The episode also introduces AMiE and its mission for mathematics education. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion:

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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:

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