Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Jul 18

I am loving the fact that Lucy Bronze is not just a great role model as a sportswoman but now also an advocate for the importance of mathematics!

Kit Yates @kityates.bsky.social · Jul 17

Lucy Bronze on how she decided to blast her penalty down the middle (and score).

“Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Jul 18

I can confirm that the cast and crew in Maths Hubs and the NCETM are definitely worth celebrating. It is such a joy to work with so many people committed to playing their part in supporting maths education across our whole system.

NCETM @ncetm.bsky.social · Jul 18

🎞️ They don’t seek the spotlight, but they shape the future of maths every day.

As another academic year ends, we want to celebrate EVERYONE across the 40 Maths Hubs who has worked tirelessly to make the programme a continuing success 👏

#Maths #EduSky #UKMathsChat

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Jan 15

Thank you @keziah70.bsky.social for your important emphasis on collaboration. "It doesn’t just take a village to raise a child; it takes the whole country to educate them at the moment - and this is possible through collaboration." Let's have a system in which deep collaboration is the norm for all.

Jon Severs @jonsevers.bsky.social · Jan 15

"it is not the structure itself that determines practice, it is the people leading who create the culture and climate," argues @keziah70.bsky.social who adds we should be focusing debate on metrics like P8 that hinder collaboration

Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · Jan 15

Instead of arguing about trusts vs maintained schools, let’s focus on collaboration between all schools, ‘which happens organically when we are not pitted against each other through league tables, Progress 8 and Ofsted banners,’ writes @keziah70.bsky.social ⬇️

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Jan 8

Always welcome false dichotomies being challenged and this blog post got me thinking. There you go....that's told you.

Amie Albrecht @nomadpenguin.bsky.social · Jan 1

Happy New Year! And a new blog post as a treat (a week earlier than planned).

NEW Blog Post: ‘Stop asking if we should tell and start asking how’

Why does telling remain such a charged issue in mathematics teaching? Reframing telling through its functions rather than its form offers a way forward.

Stop asking if we should tell and start asking how

Why does telling remain such a charged issue in mathematics teaching? Reframing telling through its functions rather than its form offers a way forward.

amiealbrecht.com

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Jan 7

Yes, that's right. Maths Hubs exist to work with and support all schools and colleges in England.

NCETM @ncetm.bsky.social · Jan 7

🤔 What's so good about Maths Hubs?
🤷 How do I even join?

Here are 10 hub leads telling us one word about why hubs are great! No need to join - if you teach in a state-funded school in England, you're already in one!

#Maths #EduSky #UKMathsChat #MathsHubs10Years

www.ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs/f...

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Reposted by John Westwell

🦑David at Nautilus @david-at-nautilus.bsky.social · Dec 3

'Unfortunately the truth is, that not everyone has good reason to be happy at Christmas time, no matter how much you cover your corridors in tinsel.'

A short Christmas story to remind us what it's really all about.

READ:
everythingisgoingtobealright.webflow.io/santa-please...

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Dec 4

With all of these indications of improvement, it's encouraging to see the overall data. But more than that, it represents a lot of maths teacher and leader effort over a sustained period trying to incrementally improve things for their students. And for that I am always encouraged.

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · Dec 4

Further evidence of England's improvement in maths today with the release of the TIMSS 2023 test which allows for comparisons across countries.

Particularly good news at year 9 (13 year olds) where we've seen a decent jump despite the pandemic (unlike other countries).

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Reposted by John Westwell

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · Dec 4

Further evidence of England's improvement in maths today with the release of the TIMSS 2023 test which allows for comparisons across countries.

Particularly good news at year 9 (13 year olds) where we've seen a decent jump despite the pandemic (unlike other countries).

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Reposted by John Westwell

Gaynor Bahan FCCT @gaynorbahan.bsky.social · Dec 3

Something positive is happening in maths education in England. @ncetm.bsky.social Director of Secondary, Carol Knights, talked to secondary school leaders yesterday, about how to ensure the conditions in schools might support teaching for mastery.

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Dec 2

Really looking forward to reading this. It seems as though this is an important moment where we as a profession could reimagine accountability so that it both gives confidence to those we serve, and treats leaders and teachers with respect and kindness.

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Nov 28

Off to the printers today. Thank you @alisonpeacock.bsky.social for your kind words.

Thanks also to contributors such as @edmund-b-w.bsky.social, @jillberry102.bsky.social, @calmleadership.bsky.social, @annafazack.bsky.social,
@stevewillshaw.bsky.social, @schoolsoftomorrow.bsky.social etc… 1/2

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Nov 29

Really interesting work from @jackworth.bsky.social and the NFER team on graduate numbers by subject and what subjects they might go on to teach. Highly relevant to the challenges we face in mathematics teacher supply.

Jack Worth @jackworth.bsky.social · Nov 28

We have been looking at the recent trends in graduate numbers by subject and thinking about what it might mean for the supply of potential teachers

The trends are actually quite positive overall, including for STEM 📈! (But not for languages 😬)

www.nfer.ac.uk/blogs/what-r...

What recent trends in graduate numbers could mean for the future of teacher supply

NFER School Workforce lead Jack Worth has blogged about what recent trends in graduate numbers could mean for the future of teacher supply.

www.nfer.ac.uk

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Nov 22

Great to be at the Compassionate Leadership event today, so well facilitated by Maggie Farrar and Steve Elliott and to join @alisonpeacock.bsky.social and @carolinelucas.bsky.social and many educational leaders committed to shaping a compassionate culture. I am hopeful for our schools.

Photo of Steve Elliott, John Westwell, and Maggie Farrar at the Compassionate Leadership event

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Nov 19

Sustaining school leadership is vital so the research here that supports our understanding in this area is well worth supporting.

Toby Greany @tobygreany.bsky.social · Nov 19

What drains you & what sustains you in your leadership? Pls complete this UK Sustainable School Leadership survey to tell us your experiences. Part of a big & important 3-year study by @patthomson.bsky.social @twperry1.bsky.social Mike Collins & me! Pls RT

warwick.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

UK Sustainable School Leadership Survey 2024

This survey focuses on your experiences of, and views on, contemporary school leadership. This includes questions relating to your professional role and identity, wellbeing, and career experiences an...

warwick.co1.qualtrics.com

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Reposted by John Westwell

Dr Laurie Jacques @smartjacques.bsky.social · Nov 19

Marie Joubert and I are delighted to share our report for the JMC building on the Royal Society‘s Mathematical Futures thinking.

A vision for meaningful data education across the four nations of the UK.

It’s a vision, it’s ambitious! Link and 🧵👇🏽

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Nov 16

Thanks @jonsevers.bsky.social for this. Big thanks @jonnyuttley.bsky.social for insight into the important aspect of the speech. Political leadership that says a competitive rather than collaborative model ends now is a great start, but needs careful system design. Teachers and leaders are ready.

Jon Severs @jonsevers.bsky.social · Nov 11

"That chase for a narrow shadow of excellence... that only succeeds by pushing problems on to others - that ends now"

@jonnyuttley.bsky.social on why two sentences in a Bridget Phillipson speech last week are the most important of the past 15 years

www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

This is the moment schools have been waiting 15 years for

Two sentences spoken by the education secretary in a speech last week will be critical to building a system in which every child can thrive, says trust leader Jonny Uttley

www.tes.com

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Reposted by John Westwell

Maths Week England @mathsweekengland24.bsky.social · Nov 11

🗼Blast Off!🗼Maths Week England has launched today and here is the link to the first video from Alex Bellos mathsweekengland.co.uk?page_id=7470. There will be a daily puzzle via our socials or you can view the puzzles and solutions on the website www.mathsweekengland.co.uk #MWE24 #MathsToday

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Nov 11

Very good to join @greatnorthmathshub.bsky.social #LLME community as they thought deeply about the #systemleadership role of local leaders of maths education. This community is making a real difference as they work alongside hundreds of schools from Sunderland to Berwick

Great North Maths Hub LLME Community listens to John Westwell at the Linskill Centre in North Tyneside

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Reposted by John Westwell

NCETM @ncetm.bsky.social · Nov 8

🌎In a world that is increasingly driven by maths and data, could the secondary maths curriculum be improved?
Part one of NCETM's Charlie Stripp and Carol Knights' blog post is out now, full of thought-provoking ideas. Don't miss it!
#Maths #EduSky #UKMathsChat

Aligning curriculum and assessment reform with teaching for mastery in secondary maths

Charlie Stripp and Carol Knights suggest ways in which the curriculum and assessment of secondary mathematics might be improved

www.ncetm.org.uk

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Reposted by John Westwell

Gaynor Bahan FCCT @gaynorbahan.bsky.social · Nov 6

The opportunity to become a Local Leader of Maths Education - a system leader for the Maths Hubs Programme - can help to retain teachers of maths in the profession.

Read the @ncetm.bsky.social report about the Maths Hubs Programme here: www.ncetm.org.uk/media/zmnnhg...

@johnwestwell.bsky.social

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Reposted by John Westwell

NCETM @ncetm.bsky.social · Oct 16

Could you be an LLME?
🌟'My role is so much more than delivering training...it’s about developing knowledge and skills in maths teaching'💪
Kate started as a participant and now leads Early Years CPD with her local Maths Hub. Read the full story...
#UKMathsChat #EduSky #PrimaryMaths

Spotlight on LLMEs – Early Years SKTM

Hear from a Cohort Lead on the Early Years Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Programme

www.ncetm.org.uk

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Oct 16

Absolutely. Thank you @alisonpeacock.bsky.social. Wouldn't it be great if a new metric in schools was joy. Perhaps, we could all pay more attention to the levels of joy of the students, teachers, and leaders that we find in our schools.

www.tes.com/magazine/lea...

Dame Alison Peacock: ‘Create a place where joy can happen’

Our How I Lead series asks education leaders to reflect on their careers, experience and leadership philosophy. This month, we talk to Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching

www.tes.com

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Oct 15

Great to join the Abacus NW Maths Hub #LLME as they reflected on 10 years of Maths Hubs. They're 1 of 40 professional communities of local leaders of maths education in England. Committed to supporting pupils and teachers in schools in their area, they exemplify humble #systemleadership at its best.

LLME Community in conference centre gardens on a sunny day

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Oct 14

Thanks Richard. We used to talk about the importance of lessons having pace. If mathematics learning is more like a marathon than a sprint, perhaps the Japanese (who have a strong tradition in the marathon) have something to teach us about pace in mathematics lessons as well.

Richard Perring @learningmaths.bsky.social · Oct 13

Worth a read…https://www.linkedin.com/posts/geoff-wake-874262a3_slow-maths-this-morning-i-arrived-at-a-village-activity-7250521653359583233-a8Z2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

Geoff Wake on LinkedIn: Slow maths This morning I arrived at a village hall in Devon, to meet up…

Slow maths This morning I arrived at a village hall in Devon, to meet up with about sixty other teachers, educators, and overseas visitors from Japan, Ireland…

www.linkedin.com

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Oct 12

Agree @tobygreany.bsky.social Great article. @lizrobinson.bsky.social and Nicola Noble are surely right that we need to re-imagine #systemleadership. Strong parallels to @leoracruddas.bsky.social CST work on civic leadership. So we need to consider how the system enables the leadership they describe

Toby Greany @tobygreany.bsky.social · Oct 12

Great piece by Liz and Nicola - really important argument about the importance of place and what can be done schoolsweek.co.uk/three-ways-l...

Labour must remove obstacles to place-based leadership

To deliver a locally responsive education system, Labour must reform potent incentives that work against it

schoolsweek.co.uk

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John Westwell @johnwestwell.bsky.social · Oct 11

Worth a read especially the reflections on curriculum reform. E have been working with 1000s of primary schools within the current curriculum and so can see some reform that could really help.

NCETM @ncetm.bsky.social · Oct 11

Our Primary Round-up for October: celebrating ten years of Maths Hubs, Debbie Morgan and Charlie Stripp on curriculum reform, Early Years subject knowledge CPD, and more #Maths #EduSky

Primary Round-up - October 2024

Our latest Primary Round-up is now available

www.ncetm.org.uk

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