Maths Blogs

Read our dedicated maths blogs written by maths influencers, experts and teachers.

  • Can we use digital innovations to tackle the top challenges in Maths?

    76% of maths teachers responding to ɫèAV’s 2024 School Report stated that teacher recruitment and retention was a top challenge for their school to manage. Followed by budget pressures (51%) and teacher/school leader workload (41%).

    These are all widespread issues affecting many maths teachers, day in and day out. They require whole-sector collaboration to improve. But there are also solutions available now to help ease the strain.

  • Beyond the comfort zone: Empowering the next generation of maths stars

    Dr Simon Singh MBE (@SLSIngh) completed a PhD in particle physics and went on to become an author, journalist and TV producer, specialising in maths and science. His books include “Fermat’s Last Theorem” and “The Code Book”.

    Following his recent appearance on ɫèAV’s The Right Angle podcast, Simon shares his thoughts on why we should nurture and challenge our most talented students, and how his * was built to do just that.

  • A level Maths entries surge in 2024 to more than 100,000: a sign of changing attitudes and future opportunities?

    For the first time ever, more than 100,000 students are collecting A level Maths results in this summer’s exams.

    At ɫèAV, we’ve closely followed the rise in the popularity of maths over the last decade as the exam board that’s proud to support the largest number of schools and students with this subject.

    But what does such a significant 12.9% year-on-year rise in entries tell us?

  • Debunking Five Key Myths About Maths

    byDr Ems Lord, NRICH

    Although maths is the most popular A Level choice among teenagers (JCQ, 2023), we must address the negative attitudes surrounding a subject where it’s socially acceptable to claim to be ‘no good with numbers’, that ‘maths has no uses in the real-world’ or that ‘maths is boring.’

    As someone who loves the subject I chose to study and teach, I’m focusing my efforts on challenging those negative beliefs and I hope that the ideas in this article encourage you to do so too.

  • 6 tips to integrate financial education into the maths curriculum

    Sharon Davies, CEO of the national financial and enterprise education charity , has spent years championing the power and positive impact of teaching young people financial skills.

    Following her recent appearance on ɫèAV’sThe Right Angle podcast, she shares her thoughts on why integrating consistent financial education in UK schools is a goal worth striving for. Although financial education crosses over many areas of the curriculum, such as PSHE, business studies or science, many would argue that maths is its natural home. Here, Sharon outlines her top tips on embedding the subject in maths.

  • Digital natives? Using technology to improve learning and assessment with Mary Richardson

    The role of new digital learning technologies is not a vision of the future; it is now firmly embedded in education systems from the nursery to the university. The development of digital resources is fast-paced and it can seem overwhelming to navigate the tsunami of sales pitches promising everything from reduced workloads to perfect assessment. However, step back and remember the wise words of educationalist that “everything works somewhere; nothing works everywhere – so we need to ask ourselves, under what conditions does x work?”

  • Closing the word gap with Jean Gross CBE

    I rarely meet a teacher these days who isn’t concerned about the growing number of children with speech, language and communication needs.

    It isn’t likely to get better any time soon if we look at what is happening in the cohort of children who will soon be working their way through the school system. In a recent survey 82 per cent of health visitors reported seeing a year-on-year increase in children with speech, language and communication delays in their pre-school caseloads. And last year, Speech and Language UK estimated that at least 1.9 million primary- and secondary-aged children were struggling with talking and understanding words. That equates to one in five school-aged children – the highest number ever recorded.

  • Are we missing a trick in primary assessment? with Jean Gross CBE

    What gets measured tends to get done. In primary schools this means a curriculum driven largely by English and maths.

    But perhaps assessment needs to help us look below the surface of these headline measures.Why? Consider these research findings:

    • Children with poor language at age five are six times less likely to reach the expected standard in literacy at age 11 than those with good language, and 11 times less likely to reach the expected standard in maths.
    • Children’s reading ability is dependent on their oral language skills – their vocabulary and language structures. The contribution of spoken language skills to reading is not confined to reading comprehension; it also predicts how easily they will learn phonics.
  • Power of Maths Spotlight... Improving accessibility for SEND learners

    Building independence through maths for every student
    By Karen McGuigan

    I was one of these children who just loved maths – even now I see it everywhere in life – but I know that’s not a talent most people have. Maths is so important. It helps us understand money, unpick practical things like our shopping and phone contracts, and make informed decisions.

    Yet the way most schools teach maths, especially to learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and additional needs, means many children are leaving education without the key maths skills they’ll need to live independently.

    In 2019, after working on maths with my then 7-year-old son who has Downs Syndrome, I started a programme called Maths For Life with the aim of creating a differentiated approach to the current maths curriculum; one that delivers essential maths that all children need for life. I believe what I’ve learned could really improve maths accessibility for every child, whatever their needs and ability.

  • Fear Factor - ways to remove negative attitudes in maths learners, with Dr Ems Lord, NRICH

    Q: What are some of the underlying causes or factors that contribute to maths anxiety in students in your opinion?

    For teachers, a key part of our roles is sharing our love for our subject and inspiring the new generation, yet we’re faced with many students struggling with maths anxiety. Although causes vary from student to student, there do seem to be some common trends.

    Key considerations include attitudes towards maths at home, in the classroom and on social media. For example, how do their teachers and families respond to making mistakes in maths? It’s also important to consider the mathematical experiences of students at home and in the classroom; is the focus on numbers and recall or exploration and discovery?

  • For the love of maths: engaging teachers, capturing learners

    Jo Ledbury gives her top tips on encouraging children to be passionate about maths including highlighting some aspects of ɫèAV's whole-school mastery programme, Power Maths. She also talks about her experience with the local maths hub and mentions barriers her learners face that impact their ability to love maths.

  • Maths across the curriculum with Robert McGregor

    Robert McGregor,Director and founder of STEAM Powered Education, discussestop tips to help primary teachers effectively integrate maths concepts into subjects beyond maths, such as english, science, or art. As well, he discusses why it is key to develop the foundations of maths learning in primary and why introducing STEAM across primary can provide a more holistic approach to learning.

  • How can I fit in the whole maths curriculum?

    Five top tips from Nicola Richards,Deputy Head and Nursery/Reception teacher, for fitting Maths into the curriculum, including advice for primary teachers to make teaching and learning stimulating and interesting.

  • Embracing new technology with Ketrina Teresa

    Ketrina Teresa, Year 6 class teacher and Maths lead, discusses how embracing new technology can improve learners' experience of maths in the classroom. As well as exploring future edtech trends and AI in primary schools.