#MathsConf30

MEA Central
Saturday, 15th October 2022

Join hundreds of primary, secondary and further education maths teachers from across the country.

Network. Learn. Share. Have fun!

The Complete Mathematics Conference is the UK's largest Mathematical Teacher conference, bringing together hundreds of maths teachers each year, from primary, secondary, and higher to collaborate and learn from each other.

#MathsConf30 is the perfect way to spend a Saturday with easily digestible mathematics wisdom from educators around the country.

Workshops are delivered by expert maths teachers from all across the country, who have a voice, and want to share their love of maths (this could be you!).

We'll also have plenty of extra activities, such as a maths cake competition, treasure hunt and more...

Layout of the day

  • 08:30 - Arrival

    Networking / Morning Refreshments / Exhibition
  • 09:30 - Assembly

    Welcome from Main Sponsor, Andrew Taylor, AQA
  • 10:00 - Assembly

    Welcome and introduction, Mark McCourt, Chief Executive, Complete Mathematics
  • 10:30 - Period 1

    Workshops
  • 11:20 - Morning Break

    Coffee and Tea Break/Networking/Exhibition
  • 11:40 - Period 2

    Workshops
  • 12:30 - Changeover

    Quick dash to the next workshop
  • 12:35 - Period 3

    Workshops
  • 13:25 - Lunchtime

    Lunch/Networking/Exhibition/Maths Cakes Competition
  • 14:20 - Period 4

    Workshops
  • 15:10 - Break

    Coffee and Tea Break/Networking/Exhibition
  • 15:30 - Period 5

    Workshops
  • 16:20 - Graduation

    Closing Remarks, Postcards and Farewells

Event Location

#MathsConf30 will be held at:

MEA Central
Lytham Road
Manchester
M14 6PL

Workshops

Want to present a workshop?

MathsConf is all about educators learning from each other, sharing what they've learnt in their classrooms or through their research. We welcome MathsConf workshops on a variety of topics from a variety of presenters - from primary to FE and beyond. Whether this will be your first time presenting or your tenth click the button below to get the ball started.

If you have any questions, queries or concerns about presenting send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us on Twitter.

Rekenreks...The Most Versatile, Visual Maths Tool!

 Primary 

This hands-on workshop is a must see. You will be introduced to the most versatile, visual, concrete manipulative that will change the way you feel about using the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract approach in KS1 and KS2. I focus on how to teach the basics using a manipulative that allows children to build, practice and UNDERSTAND the foundations of numeracy. Teachers are amazed at the simplicity of the rekenrek. If you are interested in encouraging mathematical talk, reasoning, deeper understanding and daily practice in a hands-on visual method, then this session is for you.

Amy How @rekenrek101

Amy is a Canadian who moved to the UK to pursue her dream of spreading the word globally on using the rekenrek. She has been a Primary teacher for 17 years in Canada as well as at an International school in the Netherlands. She has a Masters degree in Education and has taught Bachelor of Education maths courses at Acadia University. Amy is an author, presenter, primary maths specialist, SLE and university professor. She has an infectious passion and enthusiasm for teaching and will keep you engaged and entertained throughout the presentation.

Atomisation — What It Really Is, Why It Changes Everything

 Primary 
 Secondary 
 Higher 

If you've heard of 'atomisation,' you'll either love it or hate it. If you hate it, you probably think it just means breaking things down into manageable chunks.

This session will reveal what it really is, explain the concept of 'plutonium atoms,' and demonstrate why this will fundamentally transform how you teach.

It will make teaching easier, and pupil success virtually guaranteed.

Kristopher Boulton @kris_boulton

Kris Boulton is an international teacher trainer, and education writer. He spent five years working as a maths teacher in inner-city schools, including the game-changing King Solomon Academy. He blogs and writes for the TES, and his interest in teacher education stems from the belief that it’s one of the biggest levers we have for school improvement. Previously, Kris was an Associate Tutor, and a Director at Teach First, where his work included reforming the participant development programme, and working to recruit and train 200 new teacher educators. He is currently Director of Education & Product at Up Learn, an online platform that provides A Level study and revision courses powered by cognitive science and AI, that guarantee students an A or A*, or their money back.

What Is Greater Depth Maths in Primary?

 Primary 

What is greater depth maths?
What does greater depth maths look like?
Why should we bother with greater depth maths in primary schools?

These are questions that we have been exploring with primary schools in Hertfordshire. In this workshop we will share some of the fascinating outcomes of the project and our vision of what greater depth maths is.

"Greater depth is more than having access to more cognitive content. It is complex and develops a child holistically."

Charlie Harber @HarberCharlie

Charlie Harber is passionate about ensuring all teachers and children love maths! She has been a primary maths adviser for Herts for Learning for over ten years (NCETM professional development lead accredited). Prior to this, she was a primary teacher and member of senior leadership teams for longer than she wishes to admit to. She is currently studying for her Educational Doctorate.

Nicola Adams @NicolaAMaths

Nicola Adams is an experienced primary school teacher and leader and currently a Teaching and Learning Adviser for Herts for Learning. She is passionate about inspiring children's curiosity and motivation to explore, as well as developing fluency with real understanding.

Laura Dell @LauraDMaths

Having taught across key stages 1 and 2 and been a member of senior leadership, Laura Dell joined the Herts for Learning Primary mathematics team in 2018. She is enthusiastic about encouraging children's flexibility and creativity when working with number and calculations and enjoys supporting the development of subject leaders.

Pythagoras! Paul's Ponderings about Progression, Proof and Playful Problems to Pose when Planning lessons on Pythagoras' Theorem

 Secondary 

During his 15 years of teaching, Paul has reinvented the way that he has taught Pythagoras' Theorem several times after repeatedly feeling dissatisfied with the previous way. Luckily, with a topic like Pythagoras' Theorem, one is never short of sources of inspiration! He has watched numerous teachers introduce Pythagoras' Theorem during observations and tried out lots of ideas found in textbooks, podcasts, professional literature and online. In this session, Paul will share the sequence of explanations and activities that he has used in his latest incarnation for teaching Pythagoras' Theorem and invite attendees to share their ideas with each other.

Paul Rowlandson @Mr_Rowlandson

Paul Rowlandson is a Lead Teacher at Trinity Academy Halifax and a part-time doctoral student of Education with Durham University. Paul has taught secondary school mathematics since 2007, during which time he filled roles a Lead Teacher, Head of Maths, Assistant Principal and CPD Lead for external initiatives for Trinity Multi-Academy Trust. He also enjoys occasionally writing blogposts for his site ponderplanning.wordpress.com, where he shares thoughts and reflections on teaching various aspects of the maths curriculum.

Supporting Pupils With SEND — Pupil Focused Research

 Primary 

Curiosity has led to a year-long exploratory SEND and maths project starting with a focus pupil in each school. Through exploration work alongside teachers, a more precise understanding of the challenges faced and effective responses to these has been gained. This has included reflection on learning needs, curriculum starting points and effective pedagogy, identifying that impact goes beyond the child. In this workshop, findings from the project so far will be shared. This builds on previous work to support pupils with SEND by Gill Shearsby-Fox and Siobhan King from the HfL maths team.

Gill Shearsby-Fox @FoxShearsby

Gill Shearsby-Fox and Siobhan King work as maths teaching and learning advisors for Herts for Learning. Before that they were both teachers and senior leaders in schools across Hertfordshire and north London. They both share an interest and passion for supporting those pupils who find maths challenging whether this is due to socio-economic reasons, special educational needs or that they haven’t had maths delivered from the right starting point or in a way that works for them, yet... Gill has a particular interest and qualifications in dyslexia and dyscalculia and Siobhan is a champion for those pupils who receive PPG funding, including those children who are looked after. Both, work directly with teachers in schools to develop the school’s maths provision and also produce resources, training and write blogs about everything primary maths.

Siobhan King @siobhanjking

Gill Shearsby-Fox and Siobhan King work as maths teaching and learning advisors for Herts for Learning. Before that they were both teachers and senior leaders in schools across Hertfordshire and north London. They both share an interest and passion for supporting those pupils who find maths challenging whether this is due to socio-economic reasons, special educational needs or that they haven’t had maths delivered from the right starting point or in a way that works for them, yet... Gill has a particular interest and qualifications in dyslexia and dyscalculia and Siobhan is a champion for those pupils who receive PPG funding, including those children who are looked after. Both, work directly with teachers in schools to develop the school’s maths provision and also produce resources, training and write blogs about everything primary maths.

Fun, Foe or Functional?

 Secondary 

As the saying goes 'never work with animals, children or maths manipulatives!'.
As a maths teacher have you ever tried using a prop to teach a lesson? You know one of those dusty old counter sets or pegboards at the back of the store cupboard, thinking it will help your students understand the maths?
In this session I share my stories (or epic fails!) and discuss what the research tells us about using manipulatives in maths to encourage you to avoid the pitfalls and embrace the hands-on tools in your secondary maths classrooms.

Caroline Peters @misspetersmaths

With 9 years secondary maths teaching experience, Caroline Peters career changed from an Operational Research role in Aviation to Teaching in order to inspire and prepare students for the working world. She has worked on both sides of the English/Welsh border, with recent experience developing a whole school numeracy strategy. She is currently taking a sabbatical from the classroom in order to complete a PhD in maths anxiety and manipulatives at Loughborough Maths Education Centre.

Extras

Maths Cake Competition

Our cake competition is always a highlight of the day. Dozens of delegates battle it out to be crowned the winner of the maths-themed cake bake-off.

Be sure to check out your colleagues' handywork on Twitter at #MC27Cake. And, of course, remember to tweet a picture of your own cake before you finish it all! We know how delicious they are!

Networking

The day is bursting with networking opportunities and workshop time. Delegates will leave with new ideas to try and new people to share the results with.

Treasure Hunt

Throughout the day you will have a collection of mathematical questions that you need to find and solve, with each question labelled with a greek letter. Solve the questions, and using our cipher, convert the greek letters to give you a mathematical word. If you get the correct word, you will be entered into a prize draw and be in with a the chance of winning an Amazon Fire Tablet.

Charity Raffle

As with all of our conferences, we want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to contribute to worthy cause! We will be running a raffle where you can win a selection of mathematical prizes, with all proceeds going to the Macmillan Cancer Support.

Inspiring Speakers

Our workshop leaders and speakers have one thing in common: their love of mathematics education. You'll find workshops leaders presenting on a broad range of topics covering mathematics from primary to further education and beyond.

Friday Night Meet-up

It's a MathsConf tradition for delegates arriving on Friday to meet up at a local bar to catchup with the community, network and talk all things mathematics.

We'll be sending out further information to all ticker holders nearer the time.

Your Comments from previous #MathsConfs

Scroll

In the 59 years I've been on the planet, #MathsConf23 has been the best day of maths ed I've ever experienced. Thank you so much, one and all! Still on a high...


@therispguy

Amazing day, especially since I live overseas and can't attend these when they are in person events. The variety and quality of presentations is very impressive. The whole set up of the day was excellent, easy to move through the day and between sessions.

Thank you for an amazing day #MathsConf23 I have thoroughly enjoyed every single moment and have learnt an awful lot. Great work.


@mrparkermaths
The Ongar Academy

This was the most excellently organised conference I have ever attended. I have now since attended a few more virtual conference but nothing comes close. It didn't feel virtual at all. The timetable...

Thoroughly enjoyed #MathsConf23. Lots of different ideas and thoughts to take forward into future practice!!


@missmowatmaths

A great conference, very well organised and varied speakers. Great value for money. Look forward to the next one.

Thank you @LaSalleEd for a customarily slick and professionally-run virtual #MathsConf23–right up there with normal events. Brilliant day hearing loads of interesting stuff.


@boss_maths

Some of the best professional learning you can get at an unbelievable price. Thank you for organising.


Chris Williams
Sir Christopher Hatton Academy

What an excellent first #MathsConf24 , how have I never attended one before!


@rach_wiggett

Fantastic conference! A great way to spend a day with a range of diverse and interesting topics all from home. Thank you so much I’m hoping this now becomes a regular event!


Event Supporters

'Complete Mathematics'
'Autograph'
'NAHT'
'Advanced Mathematics Support Programme'
'The Mathematical Association'
'AQA'
'Eduqas'
'Haese Mathematics'
'Integral'
'Association of Teachers of Mathematics'
'Pearson'
'White Rose Maths'
'Sparx Maths'
'Arc Maths'