Making Maths Meaningful: Breaking Barriers & Building Confidence

In this insightful episode, Dr Shauna McGill from Ulster University joins Paul Hazzard to discuss the importance of maths education, accessibility, and overcoming anxiety in the subject. They explore why maths is more than just numbers, how it applies to real life, and what schools can do to make learning more meaningful and engaging for all students.Is Maths for Everyone?Shauna say maths is very definitely for all — but accessibility remains a major challenge. Many people grow up believing that maths is difficult or not for them, often because of negative experiences at school or attitudes passed down from parents. The key is helping students see its relevance beyond the classroom.Why Do So Many People Struggle with Maths?Shauna talks about maths anxiety and how it affects students and even teachers. Unlike literacy, where struggling learners are given support, society often accepts and normalises being "bad at maths."To combat this, she emphasises the need for:✅ Practical, hands-on learning – using real-world examples like taxation and budgeting to make maths more relevant.✅ Cross-curricular teaching – showing students how maths connects with other subjects, such as geography, science, and vocational studies.✅ Positive role models – teachers who build confidence and avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes about maths ability.The Problem with the Current CurriculumOne of the biggest challenges in maths education is that the curriculum is overloaded, making it difficult to introduce new, more relevant content. Shauna suggests that curriculum reform is needed to focus on real-life problem-solving skills, including financial literacy, data interpretation, and critical thinking—essential skills for the future workforce.How Can Schools Make Maths More Engaging?Shauna shares insights from her work with vocational lecturers in fields such as engineering, hairdressing, and mechanics. Many students struggle to make the connection between the maths they use every day in practical tasks and the formal maths they learn in the classroom.The Gender Divide in MathsThe conversation shifts to the gender gap in maths. While girls often outperform boys in maths at GCSE level, fewer go on to pursue STEM careers. Shauna highlights the importance of role models and inclusive teaching practices to ensure that all students, regardless of gender, feel confident in pursuing maths-related fields.She also notes that boys from practical backgrounds, such as farming, often have stronger numeracy skills due to real-life exposure to budgeting, measurements, and problem-solving. This reinforces the idea that making maths relevant and applicable leads to better understanding and engagement.The Future of Maths TeachingLooking ahead, Shauna discusses the role of AI in education and how technology can support maths learning. While some fear AI will replace traditional teaching, she argues that it should be embraced as a tool to enhance creativity and engagement, rather than replacing human interaction.She also highlights the need for continuous teacher professional development (TPL) to ensure educators have the confidence and skills to teach maths effectively, even when it’s outside their specialism. With many schools struggling to recruit maths specialists, upskilling teachers is crucial for maintaining high-quality education.Final ThoughtsThis episode is packed with practical insights for teachers, school leaders, and anyone interested in improving maths education. Shauna’s message is clear: maths is a life skill, not just an academic subject. By making it accessible, relevant, and engaging, we can break down barriers and build confidence in students and teachers alike.Follow us, we're worth it:🔗 Website🔗 Spotify🔗 Instagram🔗 Bluesky🔗 X (Twitter)#leadership #education #teacher #school #schoollife #inspiration #support #podcast #video