Exploring 'challenges mathematics education faces' 9 August 2024

During his presidency, MA President Charlie Stripp will be interviewing guests from across the mathematics community to explore “challenges mathematics education faces'. You will be able to watch all his video interviews on the 'meet the president' page of our website.

So far, Charlie has interviewed Kathryn Greenhalgh and David Thomas.

Kathryn is the Executive Director of Maths for the Outwood Grange Academy Trust and co-lead for the Yorkshire and Humber Maths Hub. She is also the Chair of the Maths Hub Council. During their interview, they discuss a variety of issues around student attitudes towards mathematics in schools, particularly those in less advantaged areas. In the second part of their video interview, they discuss subject specialist maths teachers (those who chose to train as maths teachers through their initial teacher training) and ways to support the development and retention of secondary mathematics teachers, both specialist and non-specialists. 

In his second video, Charlie interviews guest speaker David Thomas - CEO of Axiom Maths, around the attitudes of maths and maths education, particularly with pupils in KS2-KS3 from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

David discusses research carried out by Axiom Maths that was inspired by findings from the University of Nottingham about children's mathematical journeys between the ages of 11-16. There is a huge shift in attitudes towards maths between Year 6 and Year 7.

He also discusses a new report on public attitudes to maths that was commissioned by Axiom Maths and shows some surprisingly positive results.

You can also access the full data tables from the polling here.

Keep a look out for more guest interviews throughout the course of Charlie’s presidency, which will be uploaded on the ‘meet the president’ page of our website.