The Primary Maths Podcast

SATs season can feel overwhelming — especially in Year 6. In this special interview-style episode, Jon is joined by Becky Brown to talk honestly and practically about how to prepare pupils for KS2 Maths SATs without turning the rest of the school year into one long revision session.Recorded in January, this episode focuses on what really matters from now until May, and why SATs should be seen as a culmination of a key stage, not a last-minute scramble owned by Year 6 teachers alone.In this episode, we explore:Why SATs are a Key Stage 2 assessment, not a Year 6 curriculumWhat to prioritise from January onwards (and what not to panic about)How to use arithmetic practice strategically without narrowing teachingWhen and how to use past papers effectively — and when to avoid themThe importance of question-level analysis, not endless test practiceTeaching test technique without undermining good maths habitsHow to support pupils currently working below expected standardMaking intervention purposeful, human, and confidence-buildingWhy “greater depth” in SATs isn’t about different contentSupporting pupils’ wellbeing and confidence alongside preparationCommon mistakes schools make — and what to do insteadJon also shares reflections from over a decade of teaching Year 6, including what he would (and wouldn’t) do differently, while Becky brings the perspective of intervention, marking insight, and secondary readiness.Recommended resources mentioned:Twinkl’s SATs Survival HubHalf-length and topic-specific maths practice papersConcept videos and structured intervention programmesTest technique guidance and revision planning toolsGet involvedHave you found something that works particularly well in your school during the run-up to SATs?Jon and Becky would love to share community wisdom in a future Aftermaths episode.📩 Email: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk💬 Or leave a comment on YouTube — tips welcome!

In the first Aftermaths episode of 2026, Jon and Becky reflect on New Year resolutions, why so many of them fail, and what this means for teachers specifically. Drawing on national data, Teacher Tap insights, and lived classroom experience, they explore wellbeing, workload, work–life boundaries, and the gap between good intentions and sustainable habits.The episode also features a Maths of Life moment inspired by a freezing trip to Weston-super-Mare, leading into a fascinating discussion about tides, lunar days, and why the sea sometimes feels impossibly far away.Finally, Jon and Becky debrief this week’s interview with secondary maths teacher Emma Lockhart, unpacking ideas about maths identity, gender, confidence, and how early classroom experiences shape long-term attitudes to maths.Key themes coveredWhy Quitter’s Day exists – and what the data tells us about resolutionsHow teachers’ resolutions differ from national trendsHealth, wellbeing, and boundaries in a profession under pressureWork–life balance: emails, notifications, and protecting timeMaths of Life: tides, lunar days, and extreme tidal rangesMaths identity, confidence, and who feels “allowed” to be good at mathsWhy primary classrooms matter so much for long-term maths attitudesMaths of LifeA winter trip to the coast sparks a deep dive into:Tidal ranges and why Weston-super-Mare looks so different at low tideThe concept of a lunar day (24 hours 50 minutes)Why tides don’t follow our neat 24-hour clockAlso discussedReflections on the interview with Emma LockhartGender, confidence, and internalising mistakes in mathsHow classroom culture influences whether pupils persist with mathsGet involvedHave you ever kept (or spectacularly abandoned) a New Year resolution?We’d love to hear your stories.📧 Email: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk👍 Subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more teachers

Why is maths one of the few subjects people feel completely comfortable saying they hated at school?In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon is joined by Emma Lockhart, Head of Maths at Mill Hill School, to explore what really sits behind that narrative and why it disproportionately affects girls.Together, they unpack how maths so quickly becomes framed as something you are either “good at” or “bad at”, and how confidence, belonging and belief often matter just as much as content knowledge or exam technique. The conversation looks at what happens to pupils who are capable but quietly opt out, how classroom language and expectations shape mathematical identity, and why maths anxiety is often rooted in culture rather than ability.Although this is the Primary Maths Podcast, the discussion moves into the secondary classroom and beyond, offering insights that are just as relevant for Key Stage 2 teachers, maths leads and school leaders as they are for those working at GCSE level.In this episode, we explore:Why maths attracts such strong negative identities compared to other subjectsThe idea of the “quiet opt-out” and how capable pupils disengage without being noticedGender, confidence and why girls are more likely to internalise “I’m just not a maths person”How right-and-wrong classroom cultures can undermine belongingWhat primary teachers can take from secondary insights to protect confidence earlierPractical reflections on language, expectations and mathematical identityThis is a thoughtful, reflective conversation about maths as a social experience, not just an academic one.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking, subscribing, and leaving a review. It really helps more teachers and leaders find the podcast.Get in touch with the show. Email primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk Get in touch with Jon Cripwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncripwell/ Get in touch with Emma Lockhart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-lockhart-74755431b/

Christmas Is Just One Long Maths Problem (A Festive Aftermaths)There’s no interview this week, no school talk, and absolutely no mention of lesson objectives.Instead, Jon and Becky settle in for a festive Aftermaths special — a lighter, reflective end-of-term episode full of Christmas maths, curious statistics, questionable guesses, and the kind of conversations you can happily listen to while wrapping presents or hiding in the kitchen for five minutes of peace.From debating whether Die Hard really is a Christmas film, to exploring how many calories we might consume on Christmas Day, this episode is a gentle reminder that maths has a habit of sneaking into life — even when school is firmly off the table.Along the way, Jon shares festive statistics on charity giving, travel, food, drink, and Christmas traditions, while Becky brings some Christmas-themed world records, including the most successful Christmas movie of all time, the best-selling festive song ever, and one spectacularly tall Christmas tree.There’s plenty of laughter, a few wild guesses (especially involving measurement), and more than enough festive maths to fuel a Christmas quiz or two.As we wrap up the year, it’s also a chance to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s listened to the podcast in 2025 — with one final roundup episode still to come before we head into 2026.🎄 Merry Christmas from The Primary Maths Podcast.⏱️ In this episode:Is Die Hard actually a Christmas film?Festive generosity and charity by the numbersChristmas Day calories, timing, and traditionsTravel maths at the busiest time of yearThe highest-grossing Christmas film everThe best-selling Christmas song of all timeOne extremely tall Christmas tree (and some extremely bold guesses)⭐ Enjoying the podcast?If you’re feeling generous this Christmas, a quick rating or review on your podcast platform would be the perfect festive gift.

As the autumn term finally draws to a close, Jon and Becky reflect on teacher fatigue, festive chaos, and the sense of relief that comes with making it to the holidays.This week’s Aftermaths dives into fractions — why they’re such a sticking point for pupils (and adults), and how misunderstandings often stem from losing sight of the whole. Jon shares reflections from a full day of fractions work with SCITT students, exploring why fractions feel so different from whole numbers, how notation can trip learners up, and why conceptual understanding matters far more than memorised procedures.The conversation then turns to a worrying headline: AI and remote “virtual teachers” being used to teach maths. Jon and Becky unpack the implications, questioning whether specialist knowledge can ever compensate for the loss of relationships, responsiveness, and human presence in the classroom.Finally, they reflect on key takeaways from this week’s interview with Mike Gardner on oracy — including purposeful talk, thinking aloud, effective talk partners, and the importance of creating classrooms that are safe spaces for both pupils and teachers to make mistakes.A thoughtful, end-of-term episode that blends pedagogy, policy, and perspective — just as everyone heads into a well-earned break.In this episode, we explore:Why fractions feel fundamentally different from whole numbersCommon misconceptions caused by notation and proceduresConceptual understanding vs “doing the same to the top and bottom”Whether AI and remote teaching are solutions — or warning signsWhy relationships sit at the heart of effective maths teachingKey oracy insights from Mike Gardner’s interviewThe value of purposeful talk, mistakes, and teacher confidence📩 Get in touch:Share your thoughts or your festive Maths of Life moments at primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk⭐ Enjoying the podcast?A quick rating or review really helps others find the show — and we appreciate it more than you know.

Oracy is set to play a central role in England’s refreshed curriculum, but for many teachers it still feels abstract or confined to English lessons. In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon Cripwell is joined by Mike Gardner to explore what oracy actually looks like in a real maths lesson.Together, they deconstruct a lesson from start to finish, showing how purposeful talk can strengthen learning at every stage, not as an add-on, but as a core part of effective maths teaching.Mike draws on over 13 years of classroom experience across Nursery to Year 6, as well as his current role supporting teachers across 13 schools, to share practical, low-effort strategies that teachers can use immediately.In this episode, we explore:Why oracy matters in mathsHow talk supports thinking, reasoning and understanding, and why it is increasingly prominent in curriculum reform.The warm-up and starterUsing short, verbal routines to engage pupils, build fluency and transition productively into maths learning.Retrieval through talkMoving beyond hands-up questioning to strategies like odd one out, partner explanation and shared reasoning.Teacher modelling and thinking aloudMaking mathematical thinking visible by verbalising decision-making, misconceptions and self-correction.Stem sentences and choral repetitionHow repeated language builds schema, confidence and mathematical precision.Pupil practice with purposeUsing structures such as Rally Coach to deepen understanding without increasing workload.Formative assessment through listeningWhy hearing pupils explain their thinking often tells us more than written answers alone.Exit tickets that reveal understandingCreative approaches such as misconceptions, forbidden words and verbal reflection.Throughout the episode, Mike and Jon return to a central idea: the goal is not more talk, but better talk. Talk that helps pupils organise their thinking, use mathematical language accurately, and understand the “why”, not just the “how”.About the guestMike Gardner is an experienced primary teacher and Teaching and Learning Lead across the Maritime Academy Trust. Having taught across the full primary age range, he now works alongside leaders and teachers in 13 schools to develop high-quality classroom practice, with a particular focus on oracy and its impact on learning, wellbeing and social mobility. Mike is also the author of Voices of Opportunity, published by Routledge in 2026.

In this week’s Aftermaths, Jon and Becky unpack a festive mix of maths chat, listener questions, curriculum reflections and some unexpectedly delightful Spotify Wrapped stats.🎧 In This EpisodeA listener question on probability, independence and why a coin can land heads 999 times in a row… yet still be 50/50 on the next flip.Jon explains just how unlikely it is to flip 1,000 heads in a row (spoiler: think “finding one specific grain of sand on Earth”).Becky revisits probability misconceptions and why humans find long-term averages so counterintuitive.The pair explore the curious joys of Quality Street ratios, shrinking tubs, and the mathematics of Christmas preparation.Jon reveals the podcast’s Spotify Wrapped results — including top 10 fans, surprising crossover audio-book choices, and what the stats say about teacher listening habits.They dig into the Santander global report on financial education, discussing:Why financial education now ranks just below maths in perceived importanceHow early money habits begin formingThe tension between PSHE, time pressures and curriculum expectationsWhat the Curriculum & Assessment Review might mean for schoolsFinally, Jon and Becky reflect on Jon’s interview with Patrick Renouf, including:Patrick’s journey from maths-traumatised pupil to maths specialistThe power of coaching models and non-evaluative PDConcept-based inquiry (“stop telling pupils the end of the movie”)The importance of curiosity, struggle and the learning pitWhy pedagogical approaches shouldn’t be siloed by subject🧠 Key TakeawaysShort-term independence vs long-term distribution is where probability often trips people up — and pupils too.The podcast had a standout debut year on Spotify, reflecting strong engagement, long listening times and lots of shares.Financial education is increasingly seen as essential, but many teachers feel underconfident and under-resourced.Maths pedagogy connects across subjects — good inquiry, oracy and mastery principles support learning everywhere.Struggle isn’t a failure state — for pupils or teachers. It’s the work.📣 Join the Christmas Episode!Jon and Becky want your festive Maths of Life examples and classroom Christmas maths stories.Email primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk or drop a comment/DM on social media.📅 Coming Up Next WeekJon interviews Mike Gardner on what oracy looks like in every stage of a maths lesson — a practical walkthrough packed with classroom-ready ideas.

In today’s episode, Jon speaks to Patrick Renouf, an international maths educator whose journey is unlike almost any other. As a child, Patrick experienced what he later recognised as maths trauma — a mix of high-stakes testing, procedural teaching, and an early sense that maths “wasn’t for him.” But what followed was a remarkable transformation.Patrick now works with schools around the world helping teachers rebuild their relationship with maths, shift towards teaching for understanding, and create classrooms where thinking — not performing — is the centrepiece of maths learning.Together, Jon and Patrick explore:🔍 What’s Inside This EpisodePatrick’s early experiences of maths anxiety and streaming — and how this shaped his later work.Why traditional teaching left him “adrift” and almost caused him to fail his NQT year. The pivotal moment a maths coach walked into his classroom and asked, “What do you want to work on?”How Number Talks, introduced by Sherry Parrish, completely reframed his understanding of number, fluency, and strategy use. Why conceptual understanding isn’t a ‘nice to have’ — it’s the anchor for long-term learning.The difference between deductive (“Here’s the objective, now do examples…”) and inductive learning (“What patterns do you notice?”). How concept-based inquiry helps children generalise, connect ideas and think like mathematicians.Why productive struggle, the Learning Pit, and carefully crafted questions level the playing field for all learners. The cultural problems that fuel maths anxiety in adults and children — and why fast answers are not the goal.How teachers can regain confidence in maths, even if they’ve never felt strong at it.🧠 Key TakeawaysMaths anxiety often stems from performance-driven environments, rote learning, and fragile early foundations.Teachers frequently carry their own maths trauma — and it silently shapes classroom practice.Mathematical fluency is about being accurate, flexible and efficient — not just fast.Letting pupils invent strategies develops deeper number sense than teaching algorithms too early.Concept-based inquiry gives children ownership over the mathematics and levels out the power dynamic in class.Confusion isn’t failure — it’s the entry point into real learning.📚 Mentioned in This EpisodeNumber Talks – Sherry ParrishThe Learning Pit – James NottinghamMindset & Mathematical Mindsets – Jo BoalerConcept-Based Inquiry – Lynn Erickson, Lois Lanning, Carla Marshall, Rachel French🌍 Where to Find PatrickWebsite: patrickrenouf.comLinkedIn: Just search Patrick Renouf (there aren’t many!)

In this week’s Aftermaths, Jon and Becky dive into the wonderfully frustrating world of mathematical misuses in everyday life, inspired by a brilliant email from listener Sam Asplund, a Year 4 teacher and maths lead from Ketten Primary School.After a pupil requested a “cheese square” during snack time — while pointing out that Dairylea “triangles” aren’t truly triangles at all — Jon and Becky go down a joyful rabbit hole of everyday maths errors. From curved-edged cheese sectors to supermarket statistics, they explore the misconceptions we see “in the wild” far more often than we’d like.This week’s highlights include:🧀 When a Triangle Isn’t a TriangleSam’s pupil correctly notes that Dairylea “triangles” have a curved edge — making them not triangles at all. Cue a debate about polygons, sectors, and whether “Dairylea Cylindrical Sectors” will ever catch on.🎲 Probability Problems: The Gambler’s FallacyBecky’s first maths misuse: believing that something is “due” to happen simply because it hasn’t happened yet. From dice rolls to roulette wheels to lottery numbers, the misunderstanding is everywhere.📊 Averages That MisleadJon unpacks how mean and median can tell very different stories — and why politicians love using whichever version suits them best. If you've ever wondered why the “average salary” feels inflated… this segment will speak to you.🔗 Correlation ≠ CausationBecky explores how easily people mistake coincidence for cause — from homework to exam results, leafy diets to lifestyle habits, and even the old myth about storks bringing babies.📈 Misleading PercentagesJon rounds things off with the problem of tiny samples, big headlines, and percentages designed to impress rather than inform. (“Burglaries up 200%!” doesn’t mean what you think.)🎧 Interview Debrief: Rob EastawayBecky shares her takeaways from Jon’s interview with Rob Eastaway, including:Why written methods rarely feature in “real-world maths”How puzzles inspire genuine mathematical thinkingThe importance of estimationMaking space for curiosity, conjecture and open-ended exploration💌 Listener Call-InGot a favourite maths error you’ve spotted in the wild? Email: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk — Jon and Becky would love to feature it.

In this episode, Jon is joined by the brilliant Rob Eastaway, whose books, puzzles and radio appearances have helped hundreds of thousands of people see the beauty in everyday maths. They explore how curiosity drives mathematical thinking, why written methods can sometimes obscure understanding, and what we can learn from the history of numbers — from Roman numerals to Elizabethan clocks.Rob shares stories from Maths Inspiration, his nationwide programme of interactive theatre shows for teenagers, and talks about the importance of connecting maths to real life, real surprises and real joy. They also discuss how puzzles, games and magic tricks can open doors for pupils (and parents!) who may not think maths is “for them”.With reflections on AI, problem solving, cognitive load, and why estimation is still one of the most powerful skills we can teach, this is a wide-ranging, warm, and genuinely inspiring conversation.In this episode:How Rob first got hooked on maths puzzleWhy everyday maths matters more than written methodsLinking curiosity, surprise and mathematical understandingThe real story behind Roman numerals and old clocksWhat makes Maths Inspiration so powerfulSupporting parents with maths anxietyWhy puzzles need to be pitched carefullyThe problem with exam “problem solving”How maths — and maths assessment — might evolve in an AI worldhttps://robeastaway.com/ https://mathsinspiration.com/ Get in touch: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk