Problem-solving schools

In this episode, we talk to Liz Woodham, Primary Coordinator at NRICH, about the Problem-solving Schools initiative and its aims to support the development of reasoning and problem-solving skills for pupils and students from Reception to post-16. Liz shares insights into the initiative's process, including the use of webinars and rich tasks to support schools, and we also look at the relationship between problem-solving and reasoning and their importance in a well-rounded maths education.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

audio file

Show notes

Taking part in the discussion:

• Liz Woodham, Primary Coordinator, NRICH, University of Cambridge
• Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM.

Episode chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 04:00 Problem-solving Schools initiative
• 05:08 The Kilpatrick Rope Model
• 08:39 The Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery
• 10:26 Framework and goals of the Problem-solving Schools initiative
• 17:22 ‘NRICH-style’ problems and SATs-style problems
• 20:05 Developing a ‘productive disposition’
• 22:16 Making time for problem-solving
• 26:12 What is reasoning and problem-solving?
• 29:52 Exploring and noticing
• 37:26 Conclusion and how to get involved.

Useful links

• NRICH Problem-solving Schools initiative
• NRICH Kilpatrick Rope Model
• NRICH game mentioned in podcast: Make 37
• Previous NCETM Maths Podcast discussion with NRICH: Episode 77 - Maths Games
• Mentioned by Julia: Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery
• Feature on RIWGs: Research and Innovation in the Maths Hubs Network
• Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.