Seasons Greetings
from the North West
NCETM Team
NCETM North West Regional Newsletter
Welcome to the December issue
May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year from the North West NCETM team.
We would welcome feedback on this e-newsletter (including suggestions for inclusion in
future updates) and/or on other regional activities.
We would also like to put a call out to all teachers and consultants as we are trying to
capture the CPD needs of all sectors of the workforce. We would therefore be grateful if
you could let us know of your particular CPD needs together with your sector.
Please email [email protected] and [email protected]
Latest News
NCETM welcomes England’s move up the international table of mathematics
achievement
The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) has
welcomed the latest data results issued by the Trends in International Mathematics and
Science Study (TIMSS) that see a significant improvement in mathematics achievement
in England.
The results for 2007, place England in the top seven countries among 49 countries
analysed, significantly up on the last published statistics in 2003 and above the
advanced international mathematics benchmark, at both the 9-10 and 13-14-year-old
level. Click here to read more.
New on the Portal
Early Years Focus – looking ahead to 2009. Click here for more.
New editions of the Primary and Secondary Magazines are out now. Click here for
Primary and here for secondary
Skills for Life Update Magazine - Autumn 2008 issue
The Autumn issue of Update magazine has been published. Update is aimed at
everyone who is providing basic skills learning opportunities and those interested in
improving the literacy, language and numeracy skills of adults. Click here for more.
NCETM Survey - Making Your Views Count
If you have not already done so please tell us your experiences of the NCETM click
here to participate in the survey.
Events and Courses
14 January 2009 – Primary ICT Primary ICT in Mathematics Course
Woodlands Conference Centre Chorley
This free one day course is designed to help teachers use ICT to improve the teaching
and learning of mathematics in the primary classroom.
The content will focus on national curriculum mathematics between levels 3 to 5 and
delegates are invited to have the course customised to their needs by identifying aspects
of the curriculum with which they would like support. The course leaders will use the
responses to plan a ‘hand picked’ course and no prior knowledge of the packages used
is needed. Click here for more details and to reserve a place.
Starting 21 January 2009 - Exploring Mathematics Teaching
A course for those in their first 5 years of Secondary Mathematics Teaching
This course offers direct practical support to teachers wishing to develop ways of
engaging learners in mathematics. It explores a variety of techniques and strategies but
in particular examines Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) and Whole Class
Interactive Teaching approaches. The course provides immediate support to teachers
wishing to promote functional skills.
The course starts on Wednesday 21st January 2009, 5.00 till 7.00 and runs for two
terms (approximately every two weeks) at MMU Didsbury Campus.
Click here for more information
Progressing Through STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) at Post-16, 26-27 January 2009 at the National Science Learning Centre,
York
Join us to discover resources and activities to help you support learners progressing
through the STEM subjects.
STEM is vital for your organisation, your learners and the wider UK economy.
Supporting learners in developing their skills in STEM subjects raises achievement,
broadens career opportunities and offers greater potential in innovation to business and
industry. Click here for more details.
Every lesson a problem solving lesson at Key Stage 1 – 13 February 2009
Problem solving is at the heart of all mathematical learning and needs to be embedded
in every lesson. Frequent opportunities to develop reasoning and communication skills
should be an integral feature of children’s mathematical experiences. Problem solving as
an occasional, ‘bolt-on’ activity limit children’s opportunities to reason and communicate
mathematically. A course for Key Stage 1 teachers and Maths Subject Leaders. Runs:
13 February 2009 10:00 to 16:00. Click here for more.
Maths Inspiration Event - Liverpool 27 February 2009
Maths Inspiration is one of the largest maths enrichment programmes for teenagers in
the UK. It's a chance for Year 11s and sixth formers to experience the UK's most
inspiring maths speakers live, in big venues, presenting mathematics in the context of
exciting, real-world situations.
They prefer to call these events shows rather than lectures, because they are lively,
professionally-run and entertaining. The format is almost always three speakers giving
interactive talks on a diverse range of topics. On most occasions there will be one pure
mathematician, one statistician and one engineer in the line-up. Click here for details.
Influential Mathematics Teachers Regional Event – Manchester 12 March 2009 - 13
March 2009
Following on from the successful national events the regional events have the overarching aim to establish in the minds of the target audience that they are best placed to
have influence in schools and that the mathematics community and learners will benefit
from their doing so. The event will give high profile to the work of influential teachers
and the impact it can have. It should be made clear that the work of ASTs and other
influential teachers can have a large impact on mathematics specific knowledge across
the workforce within the institutions that they work with (as supported by the Ofsted AST
Report 2003). Click here to read more.
Teaching Higher Tier GCSE Maths - 20 March 2009
Aimed at:
Maths teachers who are relatively new to the Higher Tier GCSE, or who are returning
after some time. It would also be of interest to anyone who is looking for advanced
Maths topics.
Please note this course is generic and is therefore suitable for anyone teaching this
subject using specifications from any awarding body. Click here for further details.
Inspiration in Mathematics Teaching – Cumbria
New members sought.
Run by Geoff Faux and Rebecca Teasdale this group meets on 3 Friday evenings each
term, usually the last Friday of the month, from 8pm until 10:15pm at Higham Hall, near
Cockermouth.
If you are interested in joining the group and are free to attend over the next two terms
then please let us know.
The first hour session involves doing and reflecting on rich mathematical activities and is
designed to de-stress and relax tired teachers. The second hour session allows
teachers to explore and reflect on some of the best current initiatives and developments
in mathematics education.
Senior mathematics teachers (HoD or advanced skills or 10+ years experience or
similar) are invited to apply. If not in this category but have 3+ years experience please
check with your HoD before applying.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis - to apply contact Geoff Faux
on [email protected] or Rebecca Teasdale on [email protected] or
01900 826301.
For more information visit the North West regional pages on the
NCETM portal.
This email and any attachments (together the "contents") are for the confidential use of the named
recipient(s) only. They may be subject to legal professional privilege. They are intended solely for the
person or organisation to whom this email is addressed and if you are not the intended recipient, you
must not copy, distribute, disclose or take any action in reliance on the contents. If you have received this
e-mail in error, please delete the contents from your computer system and notify the sender as soon as
possible. Any opinions expressed in the contents are those of the individual and not necessarily of the
company. Whilst the contents have been scanned for the presence of computer viruses, we do not
guarantee that they are virus-free and we accept no liability for any damage or loss resulting from a virus
or any malicious program. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure that the onward transmission,
opening or use of the contents will not adversely affect their systems or data or otherwise incur liability in
law.
If you do not wish to continue to receive these emails, please send an email to [email protected] with the
words ‘Remove from mailing list’ in the ‘Subject’ box. Thank you.
Tribal is contracted to the Department of Children, Schools & Families to operate the NCETM, and is a registered
data controller pursuant to the Data Protection Act.