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.

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• Geoff Barton, Chair of the Oracy Education Commission
• Jane Hawkins, Assistant Director for Secondary Mathematics, NCETM
• Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM.

• 00:00 Introduction to the NCETM Maths Podcast
• 01:22 Meet Jane Hawkins and Geoff Barton
• 01:50 The importance of oracy in education
• 03:19 Disciplinary oracy in mathematics
• 04:17 Revelations about oracy from maths
• 06:49 Challenges and solutions in teaching maths
• 12:13 The role of teachers in oracy-rich classrooms
• 15:04 The impact of oracy on student behaviour and engagement
• 19:53 Assessment and the future of oracy
• 27:48 Oracy and disadvantaged pupils
• 36:46 Teacher professional development in oracy
• 49:46 Conclusion and further resources.

• Oracy Education Commission report – We need to talk (October 2024)
• The Commission Conversations – Tim Oates
• The Commission Conversations – David Thomas
• Discover more from the Commission Conversations podcast archive
• NCETM feature: We need to talk (about maths) (February 2025)
• Maths Hubs Research and Innovation Work Groups
• Bullock Report: A Language for Life (HMSO, 1975)
• EEF Secondary Maths Practice Review (June 2024)
• The NCETM Maths Podcast – Oracy in the maths classroom
• NCETM: The role of oracy in the context of teaching for mastery
• All-Party Parliamentary Group Report, Speak for Change
• Voice 21 Oracy Framework
• TES article: Neil Mercer: Oracy is still not properly understood (May 2025)
• Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.

In this episode, the NCETM’s Dr Jen Shearman, Paul Rowlandson and Sue Evans discuss the upcoming EEF-funded trials of two important Maths Hubs programmes in 2025/26. The conversation explores the role of external evaluation, the challenges of conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and what the findings could mean for maths education.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Jen Shearman, Director for Evaluation and Impact, NCETM
• Sue Evans, Assistant Director for Primary, NCETM
• Paul Rowlandson, Assistant Director for School and Professional Development, NCETM
• Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM.

• 00:00 Introduction and welcome
• 01:12 Meet the team and overview of the EEF trials
• 01:57 Understanding the EEF and its role
• 03:31 The NCETM's involvement with the EEF
• 06:11 Introduction to the SKTM Secondary Non-specialist Teachers Programme
• 09:28 Introduction to the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme
• 12:02 Challenges in conducting the trials
• 22:01 Hopes and expectations from the trials
• 31:04 Conclusion and how to get involved.

• Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Secondary Non-specialist Teachers Programme
• Mastering Number at Reception and KS1
• Mastering Number at KS2
• Blog post on the EEF trials: Going for gold standard
• Evaluating our programmes in 2025/26
• EEF trial of the Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM Programme
• EEF trial of the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme
• TIMMS 2023 Report
• Coordinating mathematical success: the mathematics subject report (2023)
• Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.

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.

• Carol Knights, Director for Secondary Maths, NCETM
• Dr. Jen Shearman, Director for Evaluation and Impact, NCETM
• Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM.

• 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.

• 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.