Evidence into Action

In this episode, Alex Quigley and Grace Coker explore problem solving in maths and why it is a priority.  

They are joined by Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons), Dr Helen Drury, (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons), and practitioners Tom Pole (Director of Tudor Grange Research School and Associate Principal at Tudor Grange Academy) and Mike Williams  (Maths lead and Year 6 teacher at Alexandra Park primary school).

Together, they draw on insights from research and the classroom to unpack what effective problem solving looks like, and why giving all pupils opportunities to tackle rich mathematical tasks is important. 

Guest speakers:

Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons) LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-gilmore 

Dr Helen Drury (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-drury/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/maths-horizons/ 

Tom Pole (Director of Tudor Grange Research School and Associate Principal at Tudor Grange Academy) LinkedIn: LinkedIn - @Tudor Grange Research School; Bluesky - @tgresearchsch.bsky.social

Mike Williams (Maths lead and Year 6 teacher at Alexandra Park primary school) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-williams-2021bb413/; X: https://x.com/mikewteach?s=21

Resources

Education Endowment Foundation (2021) Improving mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: EEF-Improving-Mathematics-in-Key-Stages-2-and-3-2022-Update.pdf

Education Endowment Foundation (2021) Improving mathematics in Early Years and Key Stage 1 Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: EEF_Maths_EY_KS1_Guidance_Report.pdf

Education Endowment Foundation (2025) Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning: Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning - Guidance report | Education Endowment Foundation

Further resources:

Maths Horizons problem-solving and reasoning resources

EEF blog, Using worked examples to support mathematical problem-solving

EEF blog, Thinking Aloud to support mathematical problem-solving

Episode Transcript

Maths: prioritising problem solving | Evidence into Action

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Helen Urbanowicz explore socioeconomic disadvantage in 16-19 education.

Joined by David Robinson (Education Policy Institute), Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College) and Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College), they unpack what the evidence says about widening attainment and participation gaps, including the growing post-16 participation gap and what leaders can do in different contexts.

The conversation focuses on practical actions that highlight high-quality, evidence-informed teaching and professional development, remove hidden costs and structural barriers, and prioritise belonging so learners can access and thrive.

Guest speakers:

David Robinson (Director of Post 16 and Skills, Education Policy Institute   EPI)

Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College)

Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College)

Resources:

EPI (2024) Closing the Forgotten Gap: Implementing a 16-19 Student Premium. London: Education Policy Institute. Available at: Closing the Forgotten Gap: Implementing a 16-19 Student Premium - Education Policy Institute 

EPI (2025) Annual report 2025: Disadvantage. London: Education Policy Institute. Available at: Education Policy Institute | Annual report - Disadvantage  

EPI (2025) Annual report 2025: Regional Gaps. London: Education Policy Institute. Available at: Education Policy Institute | Annual report - Regional gaps 

 

Further resources:

Find the EEF’s 16-19 hub

Sign up to EEF’s 16-19 newsletters. 

Explore EEF’s Effective Professional Development guidance. 

Find out more about the EEF’s Evidence Partner Colleges. 

 

See here for the episode transcript - Exploring disadvantage in 16–19 settings | Evidence into Action

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Corinne Settle (EEF’s Teaching and Learning Specialist) discuss the implementation of metacognition strategies. Experts and practitioners from various phases and subject areas join us to unpack these approaches, exploring what they look like in practice and the impact they have on learners.

Guest speakers:

Dr Beverley Jennings (EEF Programme Manager)

Tom Colquhoun (Director of Somerset Research School and Assistant Headteacher at The Blue School, Wells) BlueSky: @somersetrs.bsky.social; Instagram: @somersetresearchschool; LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/somerset-research-school-134400386

Emily Smeaton (Director of North Yorkshire Coast Research School and Lecturer in ITE at York St John University) X: @NYCResearchSch; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-yorkshire-coast-research-school

Further resources:

 Education Endowment Foundation (2024) Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning: Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/metacognition
- Education Endowment Foundation (2024) ‘Updated EEF guide to metacognition and self-regulation’, EEF News, 21 November. Available at: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/updated-eef-guide-to-metacognition-and-self-regulation

Resources:

EEF’s Metacognitive strategies

EEF’s Scaffold pupil’s use of metacognition
EEF’s Promoting metacognitive talk

Transcript: Metacognition: Moving forward with new evidence | Transcript

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Katie Luxton (EEF’s Senior Programme Manager), dive into what effective professional development looks like in 16–19 settings. They're joined by Evidence Partnership colleagues to unpack the latest evidence, share practical tips on putting this into practice, and highlight what’s making a real difference in their setting.

Guest Speakers:

Mandy Senior (Assistant Principal- Thomas Rotherham College, Trust improvement partner- Inspire Learning Trust)

Sue Smith (Learning and Development Manager, East Lancashire Learning Group)

Further resources

EEF’s 16-19 hub with the latest news and links to key resources, and for further insights into our Evidence Partnership colleges.  

EEF’s Effective professional development guidance for 16-19 settings

EEF’s KEEP framework (knowledge, engagement, execution, practice)

EEF’s schools guide to implementation – very relevant also to 16-19 settings. 

Sign up for EEF’s 16-19 newsletter here.

In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Kirsten Mould talk to EEF’s Senior Policy Manager, Natalie Ohene, about the findings of a research project investigating how schools in England allocate spending on their Pupil Premium statements. They then discuss approaches to sustaining your Pupil Premium strategy with school leaders. 

Guest Speakers:

Natalie Ohene (EEF Senior Policy Manager), LinkedIn 

Lisa Wise (Headteacher of Wilbury Primary School and Executive Lead for School Improvement at Children First Academy Trust) @WilburyPrimary @ChildrenFirstAT

Stuart Mayle (Headteacher of Brambles Primary Academy) LinkedIn Tees Valley Education LinkedIn

Further resources

Verian project report, Understanding Pupil Premium spending in schools

The EEF Guide to the Pupil Premium

The EEF Guide to the Early Years Pupil Premium

For more support, get in touch with your local Research School