Co-development of CPD for GCSE and A-Level Mathematics teachers on Maths Anxiety and self-explanations
Funder
ESRC IAA
Value of Project
£2,500
Project Team
Duration
October 2024 - March 2025
Collaborators
Coventry University - Lead
Colyton Grammar School, Devon
Exeter College
Exeter Maths School
West Coventry Academy
Project Overview
This project aims to co-develop existing CPD for teachers of mathematics at GCSE and A-Level, focused on supporting their students to overcome Maths Anxiety, and improve attainment using self-explanation training. We will expand the use of pre-existing training, providing improved skills for teachers alongside benefits for students in schools, with feedback supporting the development of the training further. Long-term connections will be fostered with a range of schools (state, private, specialist) who can take part in, and use, our research in the future.
Project Objectives
To co-develop a formal CPD package for teachers on Maths Anxiety and Mathematical Resilience alongside self-explanation training in order to support their students in improving mathematical attainment and confidence.
Impact Statement
The proposed activity built on a successful event run in July 2024 in Exeter, scaling out delivery to more schools in the south-west and locally in Coventry, who have pledged interest. Research underpinning this activity has already been completed on a small scale; the aim is to take the research outputs to a broader audience who may not be aware, co-developing it into a formalised training package. This will benefit both teachers and students at the schools we engage with, enabling them to control Maths Anxiety (a negative emotional reaction to maths that interferes with ability to perform mathematical tasks), and improve attainment through self-explanation training. Furthermore, providing opportunities for local schools will help to create a deeper symbiotic relationship with our local community, enabling possibilities for further impact. The training is supported by the Mathematical Resilience Network, the sigma Network, and the Delta-PRiME (Practice-based Research in Mathematics Education) Network.
Outputs
Paper currently in progress to be submitted in Summer 2025:
Hodds, M., and Fleming, A. (2025) The development of a CPD programme for mathematics teachers in supporting students with Maths Anxiety and improving attainment.
