Tackling Maths Anxiety: Building Confidence in Every Classroom

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Maths is more than numbers—it’s a gateway to understanding the world, solving problems, and unlocking future opportunities. Yet for many students, teachers, and even parents, maths can be a source of stress and fear. At Pearson, we believe that maths anxiety shouldn’t stand in the way of learning. That’s why we’ve launched a campaign to support confidence in maths across the UK.

📘 The Maths Anxiety Guide: A Resource for Everyone

Our newly released Tackling Maths Anxiety Guide is designed to help build more confident and resilient students, educators, and communities. With contributions from leading voices such as Bobby Seagull, Dr Thomas Hunt and Sue Johnson-Wilder, the guide explores:
  • What maths anxiety is and how it manifests.
  • Its causes—from early childhood experiences to societal pressures.
  • Strategies for supporting students and teachers.
  • The gender divide and how stereotypes influence confidence.
  • Societal solutions and the role of media in shaping attitudes.

This guide is more than a resource—it’s a call to action. It encourages schools to foster growth mindset cultures, involve parents in the learning journey, and reframe maths as an accessible, empowering subject for all.

Read our latest Maths Anxiety Guide

Download your copy of Tackling Maths Anxiety

A guide to building more confident and resilient students, teachers and communities.

Download the guide

🎥 The Maths Anxiety Webinar: Expert Insights and Practical Strategies

On 9 October 2025, we hosted a live webinar featuring Bobby Seagull, Dr Thomas Hunt, and Lucy Chowns. The session delved into the complex nature of maths anxiety, offering practical tools for educators and parents alike: 

  • Emotion regulation techniques like mindfulness and relaxed breathing. 
  • Cognitive strategies including the mathematical resilience toolkit.
  • Classroom culture shifts to reduce competition and time pressure.
  • Addressing the gender divide and stereotype threats.
  • Supporting teachers with maths-specific anxiety.

The webinar was praised for its clarity, relevance, and impact. If you missed it, you can still watch the full recording on demand on our Confidence in Maths page. 

Get access to the webinar

🌐 Confidence in Maths Page: Your Hub for Support

Our Confidence in Maths page is the central hub for all resources related to maths anxiety and confidence-building. Here, you’ll find: 

  • The downloadable Maths Anxiety Guide.
  • The webinar recording.
  • Blogs and podcasts featuring educators and researchers.
  • Upcoming tools and events to support your classroom.

View our page

💬 What’s Next?

We’re committed to continuing this conversation. Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom strategies, a parent seeking support, or a student navigating your maths journey, we’re here to help. Visit our page in the new year for additional content including videos and our Post-16 specific maths anxiety support. 

Together, let’s build a maths-confident nation.

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