The LGfL Maths Squad launched in September 2020 and offers a unique blend of online learning resources, unique secure mock content compiled by the foremost expert in the field of GCSE maths assessment and bespoke consultancy support for LGfL schools.
Further details can be viewed at mathsquad.lgfl.net
Maths Squad - March 2021
LGfL Maths Squad consultant Grahame Smart explains how the service is able to offer relevant advice to Secondary School Maths Departments in light of recent announcements from Ofqual.
'It's better to wait, diagnose what's actually needed and then provide the solution than it is to just pre-emptively try and get too much out there that may prove to not be relevant. And that's where we I think we've done really well, because I think what we've done is we've held ourselves back at certain times, particularly in the last three or four weeks, waiting for this guidance that we now have.'
Grahame Smart
Translating advice into practice
The LGfL Maths Squad Team discuss how maths teachers can make positive progress on developing accurate teacher assessments in light of recent Ofqual announcements about GCSE assessments.
‘All the schools that have already had access to the Maths Squad service have seen from the analytics that we have provided that we are a critical friend; we effectively come up with recommendations and ideas that can be implemented to help.’
Grahame Smart
A sensitive approach is required
LGfL Maths Consultant Grahame Smart offers his advice on how to sensitively support GCSE students on their return to school to help them achieve their full potential.
'The first thing I'm thinking about is students welfare rather than specifically about getting them to do maths tasks. The first thing I want to do is get them in a classroom, sitting down and feeling good about themselves; just get them feeling happy to be back in school, which I think most of them will be. I think a lot of them have really struggled mentally with this lock down and I think I would get the human side of it right before I worry about a maths side of it.'
Grahame Smart
LGfL Maths consultant Grahame Smart explains how he plans to use evidence with his Year 11 students to demonstrate progress this summer for the proposed teacher assessed GCSE Maths grades.
'I'll use a variety of evidence because I think, yes, the secure mocks are really useful in the sense that I've shown a progression generally over time, but I do think as well on keen to demonstrate that I've got better answering assessment, objective, three questions, and also that they're doing better, they're performing better on what we call the medium cognitive load questions.'
Grahame Smart
Expert advice to support the current pressures
Maths Squad experts Grahame Smart and Graham Cumming explain how the LGfL Maths Squad is designed to offer timely and expert support to schools throughout this challenging academic year.
'I think it's appropriate for schools to start thinking about what they have taught the students and what they haven't so that when they come to assess them, they start thinking about what is an appropriate assessment so that they aren't tested on things that really haven't been covered in schools.'
Graham Cumming
If we can offer you any additional support, just get in touch via mathsquad@lgfl.net
Best wishes,
Grahame Smart and Graham Cumming
on behalf of the LGfL Maths Squad Team
