In this episode, the NCETM’s Dr Jen Shearman, Paul Rowlandson and Sue Evans discuss the upcoming EEF-funded trials of two important Maths Hubs programmes in 2025/26. The conversation explores the role of external evaluation, the challenges of conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and what the findings could mean for maths education.

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

Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:

• Jen Shearman, Director for Evaluation and Impact, NCETM


• Sue Evans, Assistant Director for Primary, NCETM


• Paul Rowlandson, Assistant Director for School and Professional Development, NCETM


• Julia Thomson, Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, NCETM.

Episode chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and welcome


• 01:12 Meet the team and overview of the EEF trials


• 01:57 Understanding the EEF and its role


• 03:31 The NCETM's involvement with the EEF


• 06:11 Introduction to the SKTM Secondary Non-specialist Teachers Programme


• 09:28 Introduction to the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme


• 12:02 Challenges in conducting the trials


• 22:01 Hopes and expectations from the trials


• 31:04 Conclusion and how to get involved.

Useful links

• Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics Secondary Non-specialist Teachers Programme


• Mastering Number at Reception and KS1


• Mastering Number at KS2


• Blog post on the EEF trials: Going for gold standard


• Evaluating our programmes in 2025/26


• EEF trial of the Secondary Non-specialist Teachers SKTM Programme


• EEF trial of the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme


• TIMMS 2023 Report


• Coordinating mathematical success: the mathematics subject report (2023)


• Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive.