Shows
The Primary Maths PodcastAfterMaths: A Trillion Cornflakes!In this Aftermaths episode, Jon is joined once again by Sally Cole (standing in heroically for Becky!) for a wide-ranging Friday debrief. Together they unpack a huge week in maths education, from the launch of the brand-new Twinkl Maths app on iOS to the University of Nottingham’s State of the Nation review — plus a Maths of Life segment that dives into the mind-bending scale of a trillion.This week’s conversation pulls together classroom practice, national trends, early years pedagogy and variation theory in the way only an Aftermaths episode can.⭐ What We...
2025-11-2141 min
The Primary Maths PodcastThe Hidden Logic Behind Great Maths Tasks with John BeeIn this episode, Jon is joined by maths advisor, Primary Mastery Specialist and author John Bee, whose new book Teaching Maths for Mastery: Practical Strategies for Primary Schools digs deep into what great maths teaching really looks like.Together they explore variation theory: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it is often misunderstood in primary classrooms. John breaks down the difference between conceptual variation and procedural variation, shares practical examples teachers can use tomorrow, and explains how careful task design can reveal the underlying structure of the mathematics rather than simply repeat the same pr...
2025-11-1844 min
The Primary Maths PodcastAfterMaths: Times Tables, Roman Numerals and Golf!In this week’s Aftermaths episode, Jon is joined by two special guests from the Twinkl team. Michelle Windridge, National Education Lead for EYFS and returning guest from last week’s episode, and Ashleigh Morris, National Education Lead for Secondary Science and host of the STEM Conversations podcast. Together they dive into the week’s interview with Cate Fearn and explore why times tables are so often a source of anxiety for children and adults alike.The discussion ranges from conceptual understanding in early maths to the role of practice, memorisation and fluency in Key Stage 2. Michelle explai...
2025-11-1431 min
The Primary Maths PodcastWhy Times Tables Still Matter and How to Teach Them Better with Cate FearnFew areas of primary maths cause as much debate as times tables.We all agree they matter, but how pupils develop fluency, understanding and confidence is still up for discussion.In this episode, Jon Cripwell talks to Cate Fearn — primary educator, maths specialist and creator of Table Stick, a classroom tool designed to make multiplication practice more engaging and sticky.Together they explore:Why early experiences of times-table teaching can shape maths attitudes for lifeWhat true fluency means beyond rapid recall – and how efficiency, accuracy and flexibility all play a partThe importance of t...
2025-11-1148 min
The Primary Maths PodcastAftermaths: Sharing, Grouping, and Getting It Wrong (Why Division Trips Us Up)This week’s Aftermaths dives deep into one of the trickiest topics in the primary maths curriculum — division. Why do so many pupils (and teachers) find it difficult? Jon and Becky unpack the cognitive, linguistic and conceptual challenges behind division and explore what teachers can do to make it more meaningful.They also reflect on the Curriculum and Assessment Review and Twinkl’s new Curriculum & Assessment Review Hub, which summarises the 197-page report (plus appendices!) and the Government’s response for every subject — including a must-read summary for maths.👉 Explore the Curriculum and Assessment Review HubLat...
2025-11-0726 min
The Primary Maths PodcastEmergency Episode: Curriculum & Assessment Review SpecialIn this special emergency episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon is joined by Becky, Sally and first-time guest Lisa to unpack the government’s newly released Curriculum and Assessment Review – and the official response that landed alongside it.Together, they explore:Why the review was commissioned and what it aims to achieveThe key takeaways for primary maths – from number fluency and multiplicative reasoning to problem solvingWhat might move from Key Stage 2 to 3 (and why)Changes to assessment, including the MTC, KS1 and KS2 SATsThe growing role of financial education and citizenship in primary schoolsWhether this review...
2025-11-0532 min
The Primary Maths PodcastCounting, Comparing and Cooking: How Maths Really Works in EYFS With Michelle WindridgeThis week, Jon is joined by Michelle Windridge, Twinkl’s National Education Lead for School-Based EYFS, for a deep dive into what early years maths really looks like - and what it definitely doesn’t.Even the most confident maths leads can find EYFS a bit of a mystery, so Jon and Michelle unpack the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, explore the importance of talk and play, and discuss how to spot great mathematical learning in the mess and magic of a reception classroom.They talk about:Why the EYFS framework changed and why “number...
2025-11-0439 min
The Primary Maths PodcastNumber Sense, PIN Codes and Peer PowerThis week, Jon and Becky are back for a half-term special that explores the foundations of mathematical understanding — and the curious maths behind our PIN codes.Jon unpacks what number sense really means, why it underpins everything else in maths, and how fragile number sense can often go unnoticed until it becomes a barrier to progress. They discuss what teachers can look out for, from over-counting and weak part-whole relationships to over-reliance on formal methods, and share practical classroom routines to help strengthen number sense — including number talks, subitising games, estimating, and developing mathematical vocabulary.Beck...
2025-10-2830 min
The Primary Maths PodcastAftermaths: 6, 7, Pi and AIIn this week’s AfterMaths, Jon and Becky unpack the curious rise of the “6-7” meme and how teachers can turn it into a quick-fire classroom maths challenge. From there, Becky’s etymathsology segment dives into the origins of circle-related vocabulary – from circumference to radius – revealing a few surprises along the way.They then debrief Jon’s conversation with Simon Bond, Twinkl’s National Education Lead for AI, exploring how artificial intelligence might support teachers with planning, differentiation and the never-ending battle against admin.Whether you’re interested in meme maths, word origins or the future of AI in cl...
2025-10-2431 min
The Primary Maths PodcastFractions, Feedback and the Future: What AI Means for Primary TeachersArtificial intelligence is everywhere right now. But what does it actually mean for the teacher standing in front of a class on a rainy Tuesday afternoon trying to explain fractions?In this episode, Jon is joined by Simon Bond, Twinkl’s National Education Lead for AI, to unpack what AI really is, how it works, and what it might offer teachers: particularly in primary maths. They discuss why large language models struggled with basic calculations at first, how that’s improving, and where AI could genuinely save time or enhance professional learning.Simon also shares his...
2025-10-2141 min
The Primary Maths PodcastAfterMaths: Traitors, Trust and TimesingThis week’s Aftermaths episode takes an unexpectedly statistical turn as Jon and Becky explore the mathematics behind The Traitors. From probability and ratios to real-world data on win rates, they uncover why being a traitor is statistically the smartest move. Along the way, they reveal how signal-to-noise problems, conditional probability and human psychology combine to make the programme a perfect case study for applied maths in the wild.They also turn their attention to a fascinating concept from educational research: porridge words. Drawing on the work of Kate Quaid and Edward de Bono, Jon introduces the id...
2025-10-1735 min
The Primary Maths PodcastMaking Thinking Visible: How Maths Journalling Builds Confident Learners With Kirsten Fenton & Holly DrummondIn this episode, Jon is joined by Dr Kirsten Fenton and Holly Drummond, two experienced primary practitioners from Scotland who have been at the forefront of exploring how maths journalling can change the way pupils think, talk and feel about mathematics.Kirsten and Holly are co-creators of the PACE framework and their research on oracy, curriculum design and maths journalling has been featured in The Herald, TES, Enlighten and Tom Sherrington’s Classroom Voices Blog. Between them, they bring over 25 years of experience across schools and universities, united by a shared passion for high-impact pedagogy rooted in re...
2025-10-1453 min
The Primary Maths PodcastAfterMaths: Curriculum, Crossovers and Colin FirthIn this week’s Aftermaths episode, Jon and Becky dive into a listener question from Amy in Nottinghamshire: What would you change about the maths curriculum?The discussion ranges from curriculum overload to the role of problem solving, exploring whether maths could ever follow pupils’ interests in the same way as history or science. Jon argues that the current focus on calculating with fractions in Key Stage 2 comes too soon, while Becky calls for a rethink on topics like Roman numerals and imperial units. Both agree that depth of understanding and real-world application should take priority over cove...
2025-10-1030 min
The Primary Maths PodcastExploding Rainbows - Connecting Science and Maths with Leonie BriggsAt school, maths and science are often treated as separate subjects. But in reality, the two are deeply connected, from data collection and measurement to problem solving and pattern spotting. In this episode, Jon Cripwell speaks with Leonie Briggs, award-winning educator, author, and founder of AmazeLab, about how we can make those links explicit and bring both subjects to life for children.Leonie shares how her career journey from veterinary practice to education shaped her practical approach to teaching, why she believes science should be colourful and creative, and how teachers can build pupils’ confidence by connecting le...
2025-10-0737 min
The Primary Maths PodcastAftermaths: Babies, Benchmarks and Becky’s LatinWelcome to the very first official edition of The Aftermaths, our new Friday format where Jon and Becky unpack the week’s big ideas, share some classroom-ready reflections, and go off on the occasional mathematical tangent.This week, Jon starts with an unexpected sideline into baby growth charts after overhearing a throwaway comment at his daughter’s netball match. What exactly does it mean to be on the 90th centile for length at birth? Behind that neat statistic lies a story stretching from 19th-century statisticians to American infant studies, British research in the 1960s, and the World Heal...
2025-10-0339 min
The Primary Maths PodcastSongs, Smoots, and Spatial ReasoningWelcome to Episode 16 of The Primary Maths Podcast. This week is one of our shorter Friday editions, where instead of a full guest interview we pick up listener comments, share a little research, and reflect on the big themes from the week. Becky is away, so I am joined by Sally Cole for a lively conversation that takes us from tractors to spatial reasoning.We start with some fun listener feedback on non-standard units of measurement. Michelle and Karen measure their runs in songs, Dave introduces us to the “Sheppey” (the distance at which sheep still look pict...
2025-10-0129 min
The Primary Maths PodcastSEND in the Maths Experts! Inclusive Practice with Georgina DurrantIn this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, host Jon Cripwell, Twinkl’s National Education Lead for Primary Maths, is joined by Georgina Durrant, Twinkl’s National Inclusion Lead. Georgina is a qualified teacher, former SENDCO, and author who has written widely on supporting learners with additional needs. She also hosts the SEND in the Experts podcast, speaks regularly at conferences, and has featured in national media outlets including The Guardian, The Telegraph, Sky News and BBC Five Live. Her work has been recognised with a Nasen Award for positive media impact.Together, Jon and Georgina explore how...
2025-09-3044 min
The Primary Maths PodcastFrom Trust-Wide Leadership to Classroom Lesson Design with Tom IsherwoodWhat happens when you’ve spent nearly two decades thinking hard about maths, taught in one school for most of your career, and then suddenly find yourself shaping maths teaching across more than 30 schools in a trust?That’s exactly the journey my guest, Tom Isherwood, has been on. Tom is the Lead Practitioner for Maths at the Flying High Trust, as well as Assistant Maths Hub Lead with East Midlands West. In short, he’s seen it all: from lesson design in a single classroom to supporting schools through 20 Ofsted inspections in one year.In thi...
2025-09-2357 min
The Primary Maths PodcastPrimary Maths CPD That Works! Collaborative Planning with Lewis HorsleyWelcome to Episode 14 of the Primary Maths Podcast. This week we’re joined by Lewis Horsley, who somehow manages to juggle teaching Year 2, leading maths and KS1, sitting on SLT, supporting ITT students, being a Primary Mastery Specialist with the East Midlands West Maths Hub, and facilitating the NPQLPM course… all while also completing his NPQH.Lewis sat down with us to talk about the joys and challenges of teaching and leading maths in primary school. We cover:What makes maths lessons engaging for both pupils and teachers Why a noisy classroom can actually be a prod...
2025-09-161h 15
The Primary Maths PodcastFrom Year 6 to Year 7: Why Transition Matters in Maths with Pete MattockIn this episode of the Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky are joined by a special guest to help tackle one of the perennial challenges in maths education: the transition from primary to secondary. Why does it so often feel like pupils are treading water in Year 7, revisiting content they’ve already covered? And how can schools work together to make that move a smoother, more purposeful step forward?Jon is joined by his Twinkl colleague Pete Mattock: teacher, leader, prolific speaker, and author of Visible Maths, Conceptual Maths, and Leading Maths. As National Education Lead for Se...
2025-09-091h 17
Early Years ImpactMagical Maths, Mastery and More!In this insightful episode, we unpack what it really means to lay the foundations for maths in the early years - not through worksheets or rushed number goals, but by building deep, confident mathematical thinking through language, connection and play.Joined by Twinkl’s National Primary Maths Lead Jon Cripwell, we explore the marvel of maths, from the importance of using precise vocabulary, to the role of the adult as the ultimate connector between children and mathematical ideas: this conversation reframes early maths as something every child can access and enjoy - with the right foundations in pl...
2025-09-0734 min
The Primary Maths PodcastThe Final Summer Special: Puzzles, Pop Songs, and PolygonsIn the final episode of our summer specials, Jon and Becky wrap up the holidays with a mix of puzzles, pop culture, and polygon talk.Becky recounts her weekend at the Rubik’s Cube UK Championship, where maths hides in everything from official timing rules to the mysterious “God’s Number.” Jon takes us from the beach (counting grains of sand!) to the history of charity singles, comparing Band Aid’s millions in the 1980s with LadBaby’s record-breaking - yet surprisingly modest - fundraising totals.We also launch a brand-new feature: Ety-math-ology. Becky digs into the ori...
2025-09-0235 min
The Primary Maths PodcastSummer Special: How far can you get from the sea in the UK? And early maths notationThis week’s bite-sized summer special takes us from the sun-drenched costas of Spain to the seagull-infested arcades of Whitby, with some fascinating insights into how young children record their maths along the way.Jon and Becky swap holiday stories and uncover the surprising maths that follows you everywhere – even when you’re meant to be switching off. From suitcase scales gone wrong (pounds versus kilos, anyone?) to crazy golf “unitising,” estimating watermelons, and the enduring mystery of why the furthest you can get from the sea in the UK is only ...(spoilers!), it turns out that holidays a...
2025-08-2633 min
The Primary Maths PodcastSummer Special: Leading Maths - Why Subject Leadership Matters More Than EverIn this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky celebrate the role of the maths subject leader. Whether you’ve been leading maths for years or have just been handed the responsibility as September looms, this conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of the role.Jon shares his own journey of unexpectedly becoming a maths lead during his NQT year, while Becky reflects on her experiences leading maths in a large junior school. Together they consider how subject leaders can shape school culture, raise the profile of maths, and drive meaningful change in teaching and le...
2025-08-1927 min
The Primary Maths PodcastSummer Special: Making Sense of Time: Why Teaching Time Is Harder Than You ThinkIn this bite-sized summer special of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky tackle one of the trickiest topics in primary maths: telling the time. From the quirks of analogue clocks to the ubiquity of digital displays, they explore how our approach to teaching time might need a rethink in light of how children experience the modern world.They discuss:Why telling the time is more cognitively demanding than many realiseThe case for introducing digital time first and why it might make life easier for everyoneHow language, fractions, and number line concepts all come into play...
2025-08-1229 min
The Primary Maths PodcastHow Big Is a Billion? And Can You Plan Around a Scheme Without Losing Yourself?Summer Special #2: Mastery Schemes vs Teacher Subject Knowledge – and the Maths of Big NumbersThis week, Sally Cole joins Jon as guest co-host while Becky continues her well-earned beach break. Sally is an Education Content Lead at Twinkl, working on digital maths resources including the Twinkl Maths app.In this second summer special, Jon and Sally explore two big ideas:The Maths of LifeHow big is a billion? Inspired by a question from Jon’s daughter, we unpack the history, scale and meaning of this often misunderstood number. From how long...
2025-08-0539 min
The Primary Maths PodcastSummer Special: The Surprising History of School Holidays – and a Maths Question AnsweredThis week on The Primary Maths Podcast, we're kicking off a special run of summer episodes with something a little different.I’m digging into the history of school summer holidays – where they came from, how they’ve changed, and whether they were really designed so children could help with the harvest. (Spoiler: not quite.) Along the way, I explore the rise of seaside holidays, the Grand Tour, and what steam trains had to do with it all.Then, I tackle a great listener question: how do we balance fluency with problem solving in maths? Should...
2025-07-2918 min
The Primary Maths PodcastMetacognition in Maths: The Secret To Building Resilient Learners - with Nathan BurnsHow do we help children become confident, independent mathematical thinkers, not just answer-getters?In this episode of the Primary Maths Podcast, Jon Cripwell and Becky Brown explore the surprisingly powerful concept of metacognition and what it looks like in real classrooms, from early years to upper Key Stage 2.Jon also explains why a 12-inch pizza is nearly four times the size of a six-inch one, and how that misconception links directly to our work as teachers.Later, Jon is joined by Nathan Burns, also known as Mr Metacognition, to discuss:...
2025-07-221h 23
The Primary Maths PodcastKate Frood Taught Maths Every Week as a Headteacher - Here's WhyWhat happens when a headteacher keeps teaching? This week, Jon and Becky speak to Kate Frood OBE – a former headteacher who spent 22 years teaching weekly maths lessons alongside school leadership.Kate shares how her “Mrs Frood Maths” lessons became a model for coaching and inclusion, why stealth differentiation works better than labels, and how to reclaim joy and challenge in problem solving.Plus, in Maths of Life, Jon investigates why a 1/3 pounder burger failed in 1980s America – and what it teaches us about common fraction misconceptions. Becky takes us into the world of speedcubing, synchronised diving...
2025-07-151h 19
The Primary Maths PodcastHow Number Talks Transformed Teaching from Nursery to Year 6 (with Omar Jennings)In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon speaks with headteacher and mastery specialist Omar Jennings about how Number Talks have transformed teaching and learning across his school – from Nursery to Year 6.We explore:✔️ What Number Talks are and why they matter✔️ How they boost fluency, reasoning and oracy✔️ Practical tips for rolling them out across your school✔️ The importance of vocabulary (yes, even in EYFS!)✔️ Why strong pedagogy matters more than any scheme✔️ Emb...
2025-07-081h 15
The Primary Maths PodcastTeaching Maths in Small Schools: Mixed-Age Classes, Mastery and OracyIn 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...
2025-07-011h 14
The Primary Maths PodcastWhat Makes Great Teaching? – Lessons from John TomsettIn this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky are joined by John Tomsett, renowned education consultant, former headteacher of Huntington School, and author of influential books such as "This Much I Know About Great Teaching".John brings decades of educational leadership and classroom experience to an insightful conversation about the true essence of great teaching and learning. He shares his "10 principles of great teaching," drawing from extensive observations and research across primary and secondary classrooms.Key Topics Covered:The core principles that define truly exceptional teaching.How to balance rigorous frameworks...
2025-06-241h 19
Thinking Deeply about Primary EducationFrom Maths Anxiety to Maths Advocacy: Leading Sustainable Change in SchoolsIn Episode 233 of Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, Kieran Mackle is joined by Jon Cripwell, Primary Maths National Education Lead at Twinkl and long-time collaborator with the NCETM. Together they explore Jon’s unconventional path into teaching, how struggling with maths led him to become a passionate advocate for the subject, and the vital role of empathy in subject leadership. The conversation offers powerful insights into supporting anxious teachers, fostering meaningful CPD, and sustaining curricular change across school contexts.Listeners will gain:First-hand reflections on transforming maths anxiety into instructional strengthPractical strategies fo...
2025-06-2149 min
The Primary Maths PodcastTalking Maths Anxiety and Confidence with Dr Heidi KirklandIn our very first episode, we’re joined by Dr Heidi Kirkland - teacher, researcher, and co-author of Maths Anxiety: Solving the Equation - to explore why even confident mathematicians can feel anxious about maths, and what we can do about it in the classroom.We chat about:Why self-belief matters more than abilityWhat anxiety might look like in a maths lesson (spoiler: not always what you expect)The role of language, teacher behaviour, and culture in shaping confidenceHow to build a classroom where all learners feel safe to think, try and talk about mathsHeidi’s expe...
2025-06-171h 03