Fab new episode! We look at a model writer and unpack what makes them successful.
We cover:
- Self-identification as writers
- The cognitive burden
- Getting back on track
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/2MOy...
@twinklbeyond.bsky.social
@nicolaromaine.bsky.social
#twinklbeyondenglish
Found out today that a blog I wrote in 2015 on the use of bar models for adding fractions was cited in a 2020 paper examining the combined use of the bar model and 'butterfly method' with yr 9 pupils.
You can read the research yourself here.
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Teacher Tapp screen showing my blog
So happy that @teachertapp.bsky.social have featured my recent blog about the fallacy of comparing the ease with which kids learn popular song lyrics and the difficulty they have in learning things in the classroom.
Read it for yourself here: educatingmrmattock.blogspot.com/2026/04/they...
Picture of a slide showing equations
@stephenfroggatt.bsky.social sharing the first equations (written with an equals sign) in history from Robert Recorded at #mathsconf40
Picture of me before catching a train
It's @lasalleed.bsky.social #mathsconf Friday! One of my favourite days of the year, getting to see plenty of old friends and colleagues for the social drinks before #mathsconf40.
Not even this grey, drizzly British weather can dampen my spirits!
Is GCSE maths failing the students it’s meant to help?
In episode 1 of our new podcast, No Running in the Corridors, Helen Mulley, Dougald Tidswell and @mrmattock.bsky.social challenge the assumption that everyone should take GCSE #maths
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 🎧
Is GCSE maths failing the students it’s meant to help?
In episode 1 of our new podcast, No Running in the Corridors, Helen Mulley, Dougald Tidswell and @mrmattock.bsky.social challenge the assumption that everyone should take GCSE #maths
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 🎧
Very interesting publication from the @smcommission.bsky.social about the future of post-16 resits in English and Maths.
Read it here: socialmobility.independent-commission.uk/publication/...
What if they have 5/6 in maths and that is their highest grade?
Glad you enjoyed it.
Fair enough. That still could be their highest GCSE grade though. I would let them try the A-level
The data contained in the thread shows that 65% of those with a 5 go on to secure a grade of some type, and those with a 6 is over 80%. There are many pupils for whom grade 5/6 would be their best grade, and so have shown as much of an aptitude for maths as anything else.
It is crazy that most subjects can get results out of pupils entering their A-Level with grade 5, but most places I know won't even consider them below grade 7 for maths. If I ever go back to being a HOD in a school that has KS5, I will definitely allow grade 5 or better for A-level maths.
The newest article in my GCSE 'hard-to-teach' @twinklbeyond.bsky.social @twinklslt.bsky.social series is live.
This one focuses on teaching functions, particularly composite and inverse functions, using approaches that make sense to learners.
Read my thoughts here: www.twinkl.co.uk/news/gcse-ma...
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it.
It is that time of year - curriculum teaching is coming to an end and the focus turns to structured revision activities.
Join me in a week's time as I share some high impact strategies you can use for revision.
Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/strategies...
Had a fantastic conversation with Dougald Tidswell and Helen Mulley recently about GCSE maths and its suitability for every child in the @teachwire.bsky.social podcast 'No Running in the Corridors'.
You can read more about it here: www.teachwire.net/podcasts/no-... and listen on apple of spotify.
Slide showing in the benefits of membership of the association of mathematics in education
All the benefits of being a member of @amiemathematics.bsky.social - sign up now!
Slide for a quote from GH Hardy about mathematicians from the mathematicians apology
Such a wonderful message to start the day at the @amiemathematics.bsky.social members day from GH Hardy.
Picture of the AMiE banner
And here we are ready to kick off a lovely day at the @amiemathematics.bsky.social members day. A great buzz in the room and already bumped into so many great friends and familiar faces.
Picture of sign at Hinckley train station.
An early start on a miserable morning to get down to London for the first @amiemathematics.bsky.social members day. But that just means the day can only get better! Especially when I get to catch up with the lovely Emma Bell and @learningmaths.bsky.social (amongst many others I am sure).
So difficult to choose as always
My #MathsConf40 workshop choices:
1 - @stephenfroggatt.bsky.social
2 - Shamim Brek
3 - @mrmattock.bsky.social
4 - Clare Bond
5 - @timddolan.bsky.social
Join me with @lasalleed.bsky.social, get your ticket here: completemaths.com/community/mathsconf40
We’re excited to be attending #MathsConf40 for the first time. Come and find Rachel and Bella on the Educake stand 👋
We’re particularly looking forward to @mrmattock.bsky.social's session on Introducing Statistics at KS3. It’ll be great to hear approaches for building that understanding early on.
"Why can kids learn the lyrics to songs but they can't learn..."
Ever heard someone say this, or something like it? Following a sing-a-long session to the radio on a recent car journey, I reflected on why this might be.
You can read my musings here: educatingmrmattock.blogspot.com/2026/04/they...
Loved recording this episode of The English Teacher Feature. We look at the "simple view of writing" model which is a helpful tool for visualising different writing pathways.
open.spotify.com/episode/39Mk...
#twinklbeyondenglish
@twinklbeyond.bsky.social
@nicolaromaine.bsky.social
Watch the podcast episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPm3...
In response to seeing a quote from Professor Anna Stokke' recent Chalk and Talk podcast episode with Professor Emeritus John Swell about cognitive load theory, I wrote a blog about my views about the role of problems in learning maths.
Read it here: educatingmrmattock.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...
I forgot to mention you can also watch on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pi0...
Image of Rob Jennings from the podcast with a quote "Dyscalculia is just as common as dyslexia, but we are just missing it. If we're not identifying it, we can't support it"
I am delighted that I was able to discuss all things @dyscalculianetwork.bsky.social with one of its founders, Rob Jennings, for Twinkl's "Leading With" Podcast, now available to listen to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
open.spotify.com/episode/2hVV...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
