The Right Angle education podcast
The Right Angle podcast's mission is to help shape the future of education by addressing the trending topics and dilemmas of the Maths world in the UK. Every month, we bring you expert opinions from influential thought leaders, educators, and facilitators.
Our subject partner hosts, Mark Heslop and Nicola Woodford-Smith, lead conversations on themes such as the evolution of technology to support learning, GCSE and A level exam preparation, student engagement, STEM, diversity, and inclusion across Primary and Secondary maths and more. From award-winning teachers through to professors and celebrity mathematicians, The Right Angle really does have it all!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the panel and guests on the show. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Pearson.
You can find and subscribe to our podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
📢 Newest episodes
Ep 15: Diversity and Inclusion in Maths with Professor Hannah Fry
In this episode, Professor Hannah Fry discusses with host Nicola Woodford-Smith why maths is for everyone, providing insights, tips and tools teachers can implement to make our favourite subject more diverse and inclusive. 👉 Learn more about this episode and about Hannah Fry
Ep 14: Summer GCSE exam results reaction
In this episode, Chris Seager and Mel Muldowney from JustMaths share their experiences of this Summer's recent GCSE exams, the results their students achieved, and how these outcomes will impact their plans for the year ahead.
Featured episodes
Ep 05: Back to school with Bobby Seagull
Listen to host, Nicola, chat with Bobby Seagull about setting yourself up for a successful year ahead to avoid burning out too quickly, using popular culture to promote maths education in a more positive way, and much more!
Follow Bobby Seagull on Twitter: @Bobby_Seagull
Ep 12: Supporting Early Career Maths Teachers
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith asks about Pietro Tozzi's experience as a mentor and what elements he considers the most valuable to get off to a good start for the maths teacher. They cover topics such as managing behaviour and expectations in the classroom, having a work and life balance, and much more!
They also talk about Pietro's new programme of events supporting new maths teachers that launched this Summer.
Other episodes
Ep 13: Delivering GCSE maths at Post-16
In this episode, Nicola Woodford-Smith invites Steve Pardoe from the ET Foundation to share his findings from the work across the Centres for Excellence in Maths around successful post-16 GCSE maths study.
Steve also talks about the ongoing barriers to successful progress and outcomes for these students.
Ep 11: Just Maths and how to prepare for summer exams
Listen to host, Mark Heslop talk with Melanie Muldowney and Chris Seager from the Just Maths team about how they prepare their students for the summer exam series.
What are they doing differently as we approach the first exam series in a couple of years?
Ep 10: Talking Truths About Dyscalculia
In this episode, we dive into the truths around dyscalculia with expert Rob Jennings from The Dyscalculia Network. Rob shares his expertise in recognising the signs and, most importantly, strategies on how to support students with dyscalculia.
Ep 09: When maths goes wrong!
In this episode, stand-up comedian and #1 maths author, Matt Parker (@standupmaths) talks with Nicola Woodford-Smith about all the truly inspiring projects he's involved with to help learners explore their passion for maths. From the uber-famous 500 LED Christmas tree to the #1 selling bestseller 'Humble Pi', this conversation will keep you entertained from start to finish.
Ep 08: Girls do STEM too!
In this episode, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon talks to Nicola Woodford-Smith about the huge success of the Stemettes, being the recent arithmetician on Countdown, as well as how teachers can encourage young people to explore more STEM-inspired roles.
Ep 07: Who invented algebra?
In this episode, Dr Ems Lord and Nicola discuss how the NRICH outreach project continues to facilitate rich mathematical understanding along with how to answer those common student questions like 'who invented algebra?' and 'what's the point in maths?'. Often these questions shape the perception of maths and so let's get making those conversations positive ones!
Ep 06: Charlie Stripp MBE about the AMSP and the NCETM
In this episode, Mark talks with Charlie Stripp about his work leading the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, how they can support you and how you can get involved.
Ep 04: 'Opening conversations for change' with Susan Okereke
In this episode, Nicola and the inspirational maths education thought leader, Susan Okereke, open up conversations around tackling maths anxiety in the classroom, as well as discussing whether the current maths GCSE is fit for purpose.
Follow Susan Okereke on Twitter: @DoTheMathsThing
Ep 03: 'Encouraging STEM pathways' with Katie King
In episode 3, Nicola talks to Katie King about the key issues relating to inspiring young people, particularly girls, onto STEM pathways. They also chat about Katie's work with NASA and her application to become the next female astronaut, her current PhD work into cancer treatment, and her experiences as a secondary school maths and science teacher. And if that isn't enough reason to listen, Katie has also worked with her mum, Carol Vorderman, on Pearson’s The Maths Factor. It is definitely not an episode that you want to miss!
Follow Katie King on Twitter: @KKing_5
Ep 02: In conversation with Dr Jamie Frost
In this episode, Mark chats with Dr Jamie Frost about the history and the future of the Dr Frost Maths website and his Global Teacher Prize Covid Hero Award.
Follow Dr Jamie on Twitter: @DrFrostMaths
Ep 01: 'Addressing the gaps' with Nicola Whiston
In our first episode, Nicola chats to award winning Nicola Whiston, Director of Maths at Ormiston Horizon Academy. They discuss how to engage learners from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as how to approach some lost learning due to the pandemic.
Follow Nicola on Twitter: @whisto_maths
Pearson Maths Support
With education at the heart of everything we do at Pearson, we take great pride in the amount of support we offer teachers, parents and learners to help learning to continue anywhere, anytime.
From our 11–19 resources, our Maths qualifications and the Maths Emporium, to our virtual Maths Festival recordings or the Professional Development Academy, we're with you every step of the way.
