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.