The Right Angle: Recent Episodes
Pearson Maths
The Right Angle invites topical discussions, debates and insights from a range of thought leaders, award-winning maths educators and facilitators. Our subject partner hosts, Mark Heslop and Nicola Woodford-Smith lead conversations on themes such as the evolution of technology to support learning, student engagement and diversity and inclusion across the education of mathematics.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the panel and guests on the show. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Pearson.
Nicola Woodford-Smith and Heidi Kirkland PhD, talk about how teachers can adopt pedagogical strategies to avoid anxiety triggers in their classrooms and dispel the myth that maths anxiety is just a dislike for the subject. Heidi has recently released a new book, Maths Anxiety; Solve the equation and she talks about the psychological angle that is threaded throughout.
Join Pam McLoughlin, from The Full English and Nicola Woodford-Smith from The Right Angle for a joint podcast discussing Post-16 English and maths with Alastair Mullins, Assistant Principal at HRUC and Hollie Barnes-Lomax, Teaching, Learning and Quality Lead in Further Education at Chesterfield College.
Bruno Reddy OBE and Nicola Woodford-Smith share their love of maths education throughout this episode. The founder of Times Table Rock Stars shares how the idea became reality in turning young learners into rock legends via learning their times tables, and how this incredible platform has changed the learning into such fun for so many.
The artist Brook Tate, talks with Nicola Woodford-Smith about his recent discovery of how colours and shapes can help unlock the key to learning the fundamentals of mathematics. Brook shares how he made this discovery and where in the world he has been sharing his creative practice.
In this episode, Dr Tom Crawford talks with Nicola Woodford-Smith about the projects he is involved in that help promote a culture of enthusiasm and joy around mathematics. Be prepared to hear of Tom's maths tattoos, his latest TED talk theme involving teaching maths using video games and just how he got the reputation of being the 'naked mathematician'!
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith and Professor Paul Glaister discuss the record-breaking Summer 2024 entries for A Level mathematics and what this means for the future of our subject along with what this means for Higher Education entries. They also discuss the Large Data Set and how this could further be integrated into study.
In this episode, Head of Maths, Tom Gatens talks to Nicola Woodford-Smith about problems facing departments from teacher recruitment and retention as well as effective CPD. They also discuss the missing element of STEM education and how that is impacting the value of future careers.
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith talks with Emma James who has over 20 years experience teaching and leading maths in Further Education settings. The conversation meanders through themes such as building maths confidence through emotional safety and how to ensure they are ready for their next exam series using various teaching strategies and resources.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah is joined by Eddie Playfair to discuss post-16 maths and what can be done to make a ‘Maths for All’ approach work and the annual AOC conference.
In this much anticipated episode, Dr Simon Singh tells Nicola Woodford-Smith how his career journey has led him to his latest project, the Euclid Academy. The pair discuss how this FREE opportunity is designed to challenge, inspire and lead our most promising young mathematicians into a world of satisfying problem solving in order to champion their talents and ambitions of mathematics and beyond.
In this episode, Lella Violet Halloum talks to Teresa Senyah about the future of STEAM, her education experience and the importance of having student engagement at the forefront of decision making.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah is joined by Aidan Gollaglee to discuss the impact of continuous professional development for maths teachers and the range in attitudes towards it in primary and secondary schools.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah is alongside Dr Meghna Nag Chowdhuri to focus on inequality in mathematics education and how that may affect student progression.
In this episode of ‘The Right Angle’ podcast, Teresa Senyah is joined by Catherine Murphy and Dr Naomi Norman to talk about accessibility in GCSE maths, bridging the gap between KS2 and KS3 and the process of writing maths resources and the role they have in the modern classroom.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah is joined by Callie Winch and Julia Piekarczyk from Stemettes. They discuss their current advocacy work at Stemettes and their new STEAM seasons framework.
In this episode, Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, joins Teresa Senyah to discuss making Maths relevant and relatable to learners, exploring applied learning approaches, and promoting incorporating financial literacy in mathematics education.
In this episode, Karen McGuigan explains to Teresa Senyah what the Hierarchy of Independence is, her mathematical journey so far and why she founded the differentiated learning programme for children, Maths for Life.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah is with the lead product developer of the Level 2 Extended Maths Certificate, Grace Hatswell to discuss what the new maths qualification is all about.
In this episode, Dr Tom Hunt joins Teresa Senyah to discuss what Maths anxiety is, how it manifests itself in the classroom and what we can do to manage it.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah is alongside Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE to explore his personal journey in becoming the ‘World’s most interesting mathematician’, the theme of why mathematics is the greatest subject in the world and the Black Heroes of Mathematics conference taking place on the 3rd and 4th October 2023.
In this episode, Teresa Senyah explores the overarching theme of making maths ‘fun’ beyond the curriculum, puzzles and their role in maths enrichment and its interconnection with other subjects. She is alongside Rob Eastaway who has dedicated his career to promoting mathematics outside the classroom and inspiring people of all ages to embrace the beauty of mathematics.
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith raises questions around the ever-growing topic that is ‘maths anxiety’. There is no better placed expert to ask than Sue Johnston-Wilder who has dedicated years of her career to this topic. Nicola and Sue discuss the research behind where maths anxiety can stem from, and importantly how to use resilience to combat further problems.
In this episode, Professor Hannah Fry discusses with host Nicola Woodford-Smith why maths is for everyone, providing insights, tips and tools teachers can implement to make our favourite subject more diverse and inclusive.
In this episode, Chris Seager and Mel Muldowney from JustMaths share their experiences of this Summer's recent GCSE exams, the results their students achieved, and how these outcomes will impact their plans for the year ahead.
This episode dives into the truths around dyscalculia with expert Rob Jennings from The Dyscalculia Network. Rob shares his expertise in recognising the signs and, most importantly, strategies on how to support students with dyscalculia.
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith invites Steve Pardoe from the ET Foundation to share his findings from the work across the Centres for Excellence in Maths around successful post-16 GCSE maths study. Steve also talks about the ongoing barriers to successful progress and outcomes for these students.
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith asks Pietro Tozzi about the new programme of events supporting new maths teachers that launches this Summer. They also talk about Pietro's experience as a mentor and what elements he considers to be the most valuable to getting off to a good start.
Listen to host, Mark Heslop talk with Mel Muldowney and Chris Seager from the Just Maths team about how they prepare their students for the summer exam series. What are they doing differently as we approach the first exam series in a couple of years?
This episode dives into the truths around dyscalculia with expert Rob Jennings from The Dyscalculia Network. Rob shares his expertise in recognising the signs and, most importantly, strategies on how to support students with dyscalculia.
In this episode, stand-up comedian and #1 maths author, Matt Parker (@standupmaths) talks with Nicola Woodford-Smith about all the truly inspiring projects he's involved with to help learners explore their passion for maths. From the uber-famous 500 LED Christmas tree to the #1 selling bestseller 'Humble Pi', this conversation will keep you entertained from start to finish.
Listen to host, Nicola Woodford-Smith talk chat with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon about the huge success of the Stemettes to being the recent arithmetician on Countdown, as well as how teachers can encourage young people to explore more STEM inspired roles.
Follow Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon on @aimafidon.
In this episode, Dr Ems Lord and Nicola discuss how the NRICH outreach project continues to facilitate rich mathematical understanding along with how to answer those common student questions like, 'who invented algebra?' and 'what's the point in maths?'. Often these questions shape the perception of maths and so let's get making those conversations positive ones!
In this episode Mark Heslop talks with Charlie Stripp about his work leading the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, how they can support you and how you can get involved.
Nicola chats with Bobby Seagull about setting yourself up for a successful year ahead to avoid burning out too quickly. They also discuss how to use popular culture to promote maths education in a more positive way.
In this episode, Nicola and the inspirational maths education thought leader, Susan Okereke, open up conversations around tackling maths anxiety in the classroom, as well as discussing whether the current maths GCSE is fit for purpose.
In this episode Nicola talks to Katie King about the key issues relating to inspiring young people, particularly girls, onto STEM pathways. They also chat about Katie's work with NASA and her application to become the next female astronaut, her current PhD work into cancer treatment, and her experiences as a secondary school maths and science teacher. And if that isn't enough reason to listen, Katie has also worked with her mum, Carol Vorderman, on Pearson’s The Maths Factor. It is definitely not an episode that you want to miss!
In this episode Mark chats with Dr Jamie Frost about the history and the future of the Dr Frost Maths website and his Global Teacher Prize Covid Hero Award.
Dr Frost Maths: https://www.drfrostmaths.com/index.php
In our first episode, Nicola chats to award winning Nicola Whiston, Director of Maths at Ormiston Horizon Academy. They discuss how to engage learners from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as how to approach some lost learning due to the pandemic.