Kristin Coldwell, AC for Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and Norfolk
The Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge provided a super setting to host our first professional development day this academic year. On 24 September, 18 teachers from across the East of England joined us to gain some insight into the challenges of supporting students to develop problem-solving skills through discussion and hands on experience of exam questions.
Advice on how to set up problem-solving support in school/college was provided, along with information about maths admissions tests and how to help students prepare for them. The feedback was very positive with teachers appreciating the up-to-date information about the growing number of entrance exams, the opportunity to consider different ways of supporting students and the chance to work on problems themselves and collaboratively in groups.
Here are a few comments from delegates:
“The most useful aspects of the event were trying questions myself, chatting to others about the problems and realising I don’t need ALL the solutions. I really enjoyed the day!”
“The emphasis was spot on: how to help our students get better at these tests. The hands-on experiences were invaluable as were the discussions that followed.”