Helping Every Child Feel Like a Mathematician - with Tom Oakley

In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon Cripwell speaks with Tom Oakley about one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of mathematics education: belonging.

Why do some pupils decide that maths “isn’t for them”? Why do confident learners sometimes disengage from mathematics? And what can teachers do to help every child feel like they belong in the maths classroom?

Tom draws on research around motivation, self-perception and classroom culture to explore how children develop their identity as mathematicians. The conversation looks at how pupils’ beliefs about themselves are shaped over time through small classroom experiences — and how teachers can design lessons that help pupils feel successful, valued and able to contribute.

The discussion also explores the difference between behavioural engagement and cognitive engagement, why success and motivation reinforce each other, and how carefully designed routines and questioning can help pupils build confidence in mathematics.

Along the way, Tom shares practical strategies teachers can use straight away, including partner discussion routines, improving the use of mini whiteboards, and structuring lessons so that pupils experience meaningful success before encountering challenge.

If you want to create maths lessons where every child feels like they matter — and where thinking is valued as much as answers — this episode is packed with ideas you can take straight back to the classroom.

About Tom Oakley

Tom Oakley is a Deputy Headteacher at a primary school in Suffolk, England. Previously, Tom worked as a lead teacher for mathematics in south-west London and later as a Local Authority Maths Adviser in Cambridge for six years. In between those roles, Tom taught at an international school on Koh Samui in Thailand. Since 2010, Tom has supported colleagues’ professional learning in a range of roles and settings. He is an enthusiastic reader of education blogs and an occasional writer, with particular interests in professional development, primary mathematics and curriculum design.

Links and Resources

Follow Tom Oakley on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-e-oakley/

Follow Jon Cripwell on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncripwell/

Subscribe to The Primary Maths Podcast Substack

https://primarymathspodcast.substack.com/

Contact the podcast

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Explore Twinkl’s maths resources

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/ks2-maths

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