#188 Ten ways to get amazing GCSE maths results with Jo Morgan

Craig Barton and Jo Morgan discuss Jo's career journey and the
context of her school. They then dive into the topic of achieving
amazing GCSE results, starting with the importance of a solid Key
Stage 3 and 4 curriculum and pedagogy. Jo emphasizes the need for
high-quality teaching, a robust curriculum, and going into depth
on topics. She also discusses the benefits of setting and the
challenges of staffing Key Stage 3. Joe mentions the use of
shared resources and the importance of consistency in teaching
across the department. In this part of the conversation, Craig
and Jo discuss the importance of being prescriptive in teaching
methods and the use of calculators in the classroom. Jo
emphasizes the need for live modeling and independent practice,
while also acknowledging the challenges of using mini whiteboards
effectively. They also discuss the benefits of regular calculator
use from the start of Year 7 and the impact of embedded retrieval
in lessons. In this part of the conversation, Jo discusses the
use of warm-up booklets, assessment practices, and the benefits
of using the online homework platform Sparks. She also talks
about strategies for supporting the lowest and highest attainers
at Key Stage 4. In this final part of the conversation, Jo and
Craig discuss the impact of different qualifications on student
outcomes, the importance of high standards and expectations in
the math department, and the effective use of data to identify
and address problems.


Links to all the resources mentioned can be found in the show
notes here: mrbartonmaths.com/blog/jo-morgan-gcse/


Time-stamps:
Career journey and GCSE results in a South London comprehensive
school. (5:16) GCSE results and progress measures. (10:33) School
performance metrics and progress measures. (12:49) The impact of
progress 8 measure on students' future opportunities. (18:15) Key
stage three math curriculum and pedagogy. (23:47) Math teaching
strategies and resources in a school with non-specialist teachers.
(28:18) Sharing lesson plans and quality control in a school.
(33:15) Lesson planning and resource use in math education. (38:07)
Math teaching methods and expectations for lessons. (41:41)
Teaching mechanics for the first time. (45:34) Using mini
whiteboards in the classroom. (48:41) Math teaching strategies and
calculator use. (52:47) Using calculators in math class to improve
understanding and skills. (59:15) Math education with a focus on
calculator use and retrieval practice. (1:02:40) Retrieval practice
in language lessons. (1:07:29) Using retrieval practice to fill
knowledge gaps in math classes. (1:09:17) Math warm-ups and
booklets for engagement and assessment. (1:13:49) Using retrieval
practice, prerequisites, and assessment in math lessons. (1:18:29)
Using low-stakes assessments in math class. (1:22:52) Effective
whole-class feedback in math lessons. (1:27:40) Teaching and
assessment strategies in English grammar school. (1:29:16) The
impact of Sparks, an online maths platform, on student performance.
(1:33:50) Homework strategies in a UK school. (1:38:23) Homework
strategies and student motivation. (1:42:57) Offering additional
maths qualification to boost GCSE and A-level results. (1:48:13)
Math education, including further maths and entry-level maths.
(1:51:58) Teaching maths and setting high standards in a school.
(1:55:33) Effective leadership and data analysis in a high school
math department. (2:00:38) Data analysis and reporting in
education. (2:06:03) Department leadership and communication in
schools. (2:13:20) Department meetings and their frequency.
(2:19:18) Effective teaching strategies and data analysis in maths.
(2:22:24) Math interventions and support for Year 11 students.
(2:27:16) GCSE maths teaching strategies and student assessment.
(2:32:19) Math teaching strategies and school challenges. (2:36:36)
Improving GCSE exam review sessions. (2:41:12)