Why we should teach the 'why' before the 'how' in maths
In the age-old debate, Peter Mattock argues it makes sense for teachers to come down on the side of...
7 Dec 2021
Latest articles
5 tips for newly mobile teachers
It’s likely teachers will not have a classroom of their own in September, and that will take some...
29 Aug 2020
5 leadership mistakes to avoid
Whether it’s damning a colleague’s misstep in front of a parent or asking them to do something that...
6 min read
17 Jan 2020
Six ways to make maths lessons more salient
Ensuring students attention is in the right place is essential, says Peter Mattock - here’s how to...
4 Jan 2020
Ability grouping: To stream or not to stream?
Ability grouping is an evergreen topic for fierce debate, with research offering a mixed picture in...
3 Oct 2019
How a HoD should react to poor GCSE results
Now the dust has settled on GCSE results, here’s how to tackle disappointing department outcomes...
3 Sep 2019
Three ways to solve the problem of Year 7 maths
Too often, maths in Year 7 is about working out what pupils know – but Peter Mattock has some ideas...
2 Jul 2019
GCSE maths is about big ideas, but it takes small steps
Maths is a huge subject with complex concepts - but breaking these ideas down helps understanding...
12 Jun 2019
GCSE maths: what you should be doing in the run-up to exams
In the lead-up to the GCSE exams, Peter Mattock details how schools should help prepare pupils for...
8 May 2019
GCSEs: how to tackle the tricky topic of surds
Essential for GCSEs but tricky to teach, surds can be a barrier for many students
31 Mar 2019
3 essential steps for building a maths curriculum
These elements should ensure a cohesive and coherent approach to maths in your school
2 Mar 2019
GCSE mocks: have you made the most of the data?
GCSE mocks are all but done, but have you used the data you got from them wisely, asks Peter Mattock
31 Jan 2019
'Why our SLT need to be as accountable to us as we are to them'
Your leadership team has many moral obligations, but one of the most important is to you, says Peter...
24 Apr 2018
'The government and Ofsted have cost more people their careers than I can count'
The recent pronouncements from Ofsted about the curriculum are an insult to teachers, says this...
13 Oct 2017
Four ways to make sure maths teachers stay happy (and stay put)
From dartboards to development days, department heads should tune into the unique needs of their...
4 Aug 2017
Ten steps to surviving as a new head of department
This experienced head of department offers those new to the job the benefit of his experience
21 May 2017
Five ways maths teachers can persuade secondary colleagues to embed numeracy
One director of maths offers his tips on getting secondary staff to meet the curriculum obligation...
4 Apr 2017
How to grade questions in the new GCSE system
Teachers are struggling to know how to judge student progress within the new GCSE grading system...
2 Feb 2017
Most read articles
-
Ten steps to surviving as a new head of department
![News article image]()
-
3 essential steps for building a maths curriculum
![maths curriculum]()
-
Three ways to solve the problem of Year 7 maths
![Pupils arriving at secondary often appear to be behind on maths knowledge - but this may just be because of the anxiety of moving up from primary, says Peter Mattock]()
-
Five ways maths teachers can persuade secondary colleagues to embed numeracy
![News article image]()
-
GCSEs: how to tackle the tricky topic of surds
![surd]()
-
Why we should teach the 'why' before the 'how' in maths
![maths teaching]()
-
GCSE maths: what you should be doing in the run-up to exams
![GCSE maths: how to prepare pupils for exam day]()
-
5 tips for newly mobile teachers
![back to school]()
-
GCSE maths is about big ideas, but it takes small steps
![The best way to teach big mathematical ideas is to think small, writes Peter Mattock]()
-
'Why our SLT need to be as accountable to us as we are to them'
![Ofsted and the DfE shouldn't be at loggerheads over the curriculum, says Ofsted aims to help to deliver a broad curriculum – and the DfE has said it wants the same thing, says Stephen Rollett]()
