Key Voices #133 - Exploring the need for Maths tutoring with Thorntree Academy, Third Space Learning and CFEY

This week we talk to Mike Foster, Assistant Head at Thorntree Academy in Middlesbrough, Tom Hooper, Founder and CEO of Third Space Learning and Baz Ramaiah, an associate at The Centre For Education and Youth (CFEY). We hear more about CFEY’s report ‘A Space for Maths: Exploring the need for maths tutoring and the potential role of Third Space Learning’,  the importance of early maths achievement and getting children confident with numeracy.  Mike tells us about his school’s experience of using Third Space Learning and we discuss what makes for a really effective maths tutoring intervention.   We talk about:  Mike’s school and the community it serves  The case for early intervention building strong maths skills early  The findings of the ‘A Space for Maths’ report and how teaching and learning numeracy differs from literacy  The difference tutoring can make to pupils  The impact of the pandemic on maths skills and the issues with parental support for maths home learning  How difficulties with and anxiety about maths can become intergenerational  The potential economic impacts of a lack of maths ability  Mike’s maths catch-up focus at school - vocabulary and application of mathematical skills  Why Mike wanted a tutoring intervention and what he was hoping to gain from it The importance of a tutoring solution that is responsive and aligns with what is going on in class teaching  How Third Space designed their solution to make cost-effective, high-quality, one-to-one tuition available to pupils in need  The impact good quality tutoring can have on pupils    You can find the report from CFEY ‘A Space for Maths’ here.   You can find the Third Space Learning impact report here and read about other schools’ experiences here.