Maths – Oxford Education Podcast

33. Ofsted-proof your curriculum: coherence & mastery in the KS3 classroom

By Oxford Education | March 23, 2023

Will Power

Will Power talks to David Harris about the main challenges in the KS3 Maths classroom. They discuss:

- - What makes a curriculum coherent and why this is important.
  - How mastery supports learning that lasts
  - How to ensure your curriculum is Ofsted ready

Will Power is OUP’s maths publisher with responsibility for all primary and secondary products including Oxford Smart Mosaic, Numicon and White Rose Practice Journals. Before joining OUP, Will worked in challenging primary and secondary schools in East London and Oxford and was most recently head teacher in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, taking it from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Good’ (Ofsted, 2022). Will has a special interest in cognitive science and pupil centred pedagogies, curriculum development and of course maths! He has worked as a Specialist Leader in Education and Maths Mastery Specialist and has supported schools in India in his role as Associate of Adhyayan Quality Education Foundation. Will has an MA in Educational Leadership and is a Future Leader (2014 cohort) and Teach First alumnus.

David Harris is a dynamic leader within education with a proven record of raising standards through development, mentoring, and coaching of other leaders and teachers. An outstanding teacher and tutor of mathematics who is passionate about engaging pupils, and a specialist in improving outcomes for neurodivergent young people for the last 10 years.

21. Metacognition: strategies inside and outside of the classroom with Nathan Burns

By Oxford Education | September 30, 2021

Nathan Burns

Helen Prince talks to Nathan Burns about his specialist subject, metacognition. Nathan explains the importance of embedding metacognition into day-to-day teaching, why modelling and monitoring are key approaches in the classroom, and the value metacognition plays in all areas of life, from poaching an egg to putting up a tent.

Nathan Burns is a teacher of Mathematics, Assistant KS3 Progress and Achievement Leader and More Able and Talented Co-Coordinator at David Nieper Academy in Alfreton. He is a former Metacognitive Implementation Lead, as well as the founder of metacognition.org.uk, which offers metacognitive resources and CPD. Nathan is passionate about teaching and learning, and has researched, written about and delivered CPD on metacognition for several years. He tweets at @MrMetacognition

Further reading and support:

Where does metacognitive modelling fit in the classroom? Read more from Nathan on the Oxford Education Blog.
Metacognition is one of the pillars of the Oxford Smart Curriculum. Read the curriculum direction paper.
Find out more about Oxford Smart Mosaic, an intuitive and impactful KS3 Maths course created by Oxford and Craig Barton which helps to embed mastery.

20. Numicon Big Ideas: supporting secondary transition in maths

By Oxford Education | September 16, 2021

Louise Pennington and Adam Gaskell talk about supporting secondary transition in maths. They discuss removing barriers to maths learning, the benefits of using manipulatives and the meaning of mastery.

Louise Pennington is Professional Development lead for Oxford University Press, previous teacher, specialist maths teacher and local authority SEND Team lead working with both primary and secondary schools, students and parents. She is a Numicon Author and vice-chair of the Mathematical Association’s joint primary group. Louise tweets at @pdLouiseP

Adam Gaskell is Head of Mathematics at a Leicestershire secondary school, NPQML and NCETM Mastery Advocate. Adam tweets at @MrGTeach

Numicon Big Ideas helps upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 students learn and explore maths while building their confidence.

Further reading and support:

Find out more about Numicon Big Ideas for KS3.
Access resources to support transition to secondary school.