Teaching Maths in Small Schools: Mixed-Age Classes, Mastery and Oracy

In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, we explore the unique joys and challenges of teaching maths in small schools and mixed-age classes. Jon Cripwell and Becky Brown reflect on their conversation with two inspiring educators whose work spans classroom teaching, national leadership, and system-wide school improvement.

👥 Our guests:

• Aimée Tinkler has been a teacher and school leader for over 20 years, including 8 years as a headteacher in Derbyshire. She is President-elect of the Chartered College of Teaching, engaged in doctoral research at UCL Institute of Education, and the author of Small and Mighty – Conversations about Small Schools (publishing this autumn).
• Helen Bowen has over 13 years of experience in primary education, including roles as class teacher, lead practitioner, and headteacher. A passionate maths educator, she is a Primary Mastery Specialist and Local Leader in Maths Education with the GLOW Maths Hub and is now Director of Mathematics at Excelsior Multi Academy Trust.

🧠 Topics covered include:

• How to adapt the mastery approach for mixed-age classrooms
• The power of oracy and reasoning talk in maths
• Structuring consistent maths teaching without rigid schemes
• The vital role of teaching assistants in small schools
• Leadership and collaboration in multi-role staff settings

🔍 Also in this episode:

• 🧩 Becky’s deep dive into competitive speed jigsaw puzzling (yes, it’s a thing!)
• 🔢 Maths of Life: Why we count in base 10—and what other number bases you're secretly using every day

🛠 Resource of the Week:

The Twinkl Maths App – a gamified fluency tool aligned with the Ready to Progress criteria. Great for interventions, rewards effort, and works brilliantly in small school settings.

📥 Free downloadable PDF with key takeaways, CPD clips and resources:

Search for Primary Maths Podcast at twinkl.co.uk.

📧 Feedback or questions?

Email us at primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk

🔜 Next week’s episode:

Jon speaks to Omar Jennings, headteacher at Nightingale Primary in London, about how Number Talks are transforming oracy and conceptual understanding.