September 2009
Come on ‘A journey for teachers, learners and families’ with the
NCETM
Engaging with Mathematics: A journey for teachers, learners and families takes place at East Midlands
Conference Centre, Nottingham, on 1 December, from 10am to 4.30pm. This free, one-day NCETM
conference will explore learners' attitudes to mathematics, and share and develop approaches to engaging
and supporting learners' progression in the subject. We will look at what influences learners at home, school
and through all stages of transition to their career choices. The day is for teachers in all phases of education
and is planned to be particularly useful to primary teachers, including aspiring primary mathematics
specialists. To request your free place, please email events@ncetm.org.uk stating your name, position and
organisation.
National Centre welcomes rise in those taking A level
mathematics and improved results
The NCETM congratulates teachers and learners in schools and colleges as A level mathematics results this
year show another improvement and that more students are taking the subject. NCETM Director Celia Hoyles
said: "These increases, particularly in the numbers of students taking Further Mathematics, are extremely
encouraging and we very much welcome them. At the same time, teachers of mathematics will need to be fully
supported if they are to help these learners achieve their full potential in this important subject. The NCETM is
working to aid the development of teachers so that they can meet this challenge with confidence."
NCETM tells consultation, CPD is crucial to new National
Curriculum in primary classroom
The NCETM recently submitted a response to the consultation on the draft National Curriculum for
Mathematical Development. The National Centre was broadly supportive of many of the changes. However,
no changes would be guaranteed to be effectively taken into the primary classroom without adequate
professional development opportunities. Of note was the need to ensure that teachers had the opportunity to
develop their expertise to integrate ICT into their mathematics lessons, not just to engage learners but so that
learning is enhanced. The introduction of a 'social and cultural mathematics' element to the curriculum will also
require additional support for teachers. (The NCETM has also submitted a joint response with ACME and JMC
in the form of a letter.)
Mathematical Progressions – BCME7
Another important date for your diary is The British Congress of Mathematics Education (BCME), entitled
Mathematical Progressions, from 6-9 April 2010, University Place, University of Manchester. The intention is
that all sections of mathematics and mathematical education should come together in a single conference to
celebrate, enrich, refresh and build mathematical and pedagogical confidence and expertise. Many teachers
are now involved in action research projects, with a good number of projects receiving funding from the
NCETM. This conference provides a wonderful opportunity to disseminate findings from such projects, and
there is a call for research and other workshops to be presented at the conference. The Opening Plenary will
be given by Marcus du Sautoy.
Partnership will support professional development in Further
Mathematics
In August, the Further Mathematics Network (FMN) developed into the Further Mathematics Support
Programme (FMSP), continuing the FMN's work and also extending it to provide professional development for
teachers of Further Mathematics, and support for the teaching and learning of level 3 Mathematics within
diplomas. The NCETM is working in partnership with the FMSP to support its professional development role.
Royal Society Partnership Grants Scheme, September 2009
Would you like to give your mathematics students a practical taste of science and engineering? Do you want
to liven up your teaching in the classroom but don't have the funds to do so? The Royal Society may be able
to help.
Many mathematics teachers do not realise that the Royal Society (RS) grants could be relevant to them. The
grants are worth up to £3 000 and are available for teachers and scientists or engineers to work together on
creative investigations involving five to 18 year olds. All you need to do is propose a project which will give
your students a taste of mathematics in the context of science and engineering today, around one of the Royal
Society's given themes. Applications open on 7 September 2009 and close on 6 November 2009. Application
forms and guidelines for the scheme are available online at www.royalsociety.org/partnership or by
emailing education@royalsociety.org
Funding for Mathematics Knowledge Networks
We are very pleased to be able to announce a further opportunity to apply for funding to run Mathematics
Knowledge Networks (MKNs). In this round of applications we are particularly keen to engage teachers from
schools and colleges who wish to improve their capacity to teach AS, A Level and Further mathematics and
Level 3 mathematics in diploma courses as well as groups who wish to explore ways of working that will
encourage more pupils to move on to study mathematics at these levels. However, all teachers can apply to
work on one of a number of themes identified by the NCETM. You can apply for funding for this round of
applications until Friday 2 October 2009.
Making Your Views Count
2009 has seen lots of changes inside the NCETM. Most of these are in direct response to the feedback
provided by practicing teachers. However, we always like to find out even more about how we can best meet
the needs of teachers in schools, colleges and HEIs across the country. October 2009 will see the launch of
'Make your views count 2009', an online survey where teachers, headteachers and anyone that uses NCETM
resources can tell us exactly how the Centre has affected their teaching or the teaching of mathematics in
their institution, what they think of the resources provided by the Centre and which they think are most useful
and effective. Details of the survey will appear next month, so keep your eyes peeled, enter the survey and
make sure your views do count.
Join us!
If you haven’t already registered on the NCETM portal, it’s free and easy, so please do join us now. Once
registered you can add your comments and discussions to any of the articles, blogs or discussions.
Please do contact us if you have any comments on this newsletter by emailing info@ncetm.org.uk.
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