This interview offers a view from the Merseyside classroom of Jack Ndebu, a new teacher of Core Maths, and his experiences with support offered by the Maths Hub Network and AMSP. His experiences are complemented by a view of the national picture from Rachel Mathieson, who has been researching the successes and challenges of Core Maths in its first five years.

Show notes

Taking part in the conversation are:

Jack Ndebu: Teacher of maths at Rainford High School, Merseyside

Rachel Mathieson: Research Fellow at the School of Education, Leeds University and one of the authors of The early take-up of Core Maths: successes and challenges

Gwen Tresidder: NCETM Communications Manager

Episode chapters

02:31 – Background: Rainford High School and Jack’s teaching experience
04:48 – How is Core Maths different to teaching A level?
06:44 – What I used to do. What I do now.
14:14 – How do students find it?
17:31 – How did you gain the skills needed to teach Core Maths?
22:58 – Effects of Covid-19 on lessons and use of data in lessons
27:34 – Rachel: research findings
32:36 – Required GCSE tier of entry/grade for Core Maths
37:17 – How schools/teachers can make Core Maths successful

Useful Links

• Full details of the Core Maths research project on the Leeds University website
• At 25:36, Jack mentions Core Maths resources collated on Padlet, by Catherine Van Saarloos (Core Maths Professional Development Lead at AMSP). The relevant pages are here: Getting started with Core Maths and Teaching Core Maths.
• More information on how to join Maths Hub CPD Work Groups: Developing Core Maths pedagogy
• AMSP has many useful Core Maths resources accessible from their homepage under the ‘Teachers’ menu. This includes case studies on how schools/colleges have managed to integrate Core Maths into their timetables, as well as resources, professional development and curriculum advice.
• The DfE has recently updated its Core Maths technical guidance.