Evidence into Action is a podcast from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
This podcast welcomes experts in the field of education – fantastic researchers with important things to say, alongside a wealth of brilliant teachers and school leaders. Our mission is straightforward: to tackle the most important educational topics and offer you plenty of evidence-based ideas to reflect on and, hopefully, be able to put into action.
In this episode, Alex Quigley and Grace Coker explore problem solving in maths and why it is a priority.
They are joined by Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons), Dr Helen Drury, (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons), and practitioners Tom Pole (Director of Tudor Grange Research School and Associate Principal at Tudor Grange Academy) and Mike Williams (Maths lead and Year 6 teacher at Alexandra Park primary school).
Together, they draw on insights from research and the classroom to unpack what effective problem solving looks like, and why giving all pupils opportunities to tackle rich mathematical tasks is important.
Guest speakers:
Professor Camilla Gilmore (Professor of Mathematical Cognition at Loughborough University and Curriculum Specialist at Maths Horizons) LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-gilmore
Dr Helen Drury (Dean of Maths Education at Purposeful Ventures and Co-Lead at Maths Horizons) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-drury/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/maths-horizons/
Tom Pole (Director of Tudor Grange Research School and Associate Principal at Tudor Grange Academy) LinkedIn: LinkedIn - @Tudor Grange Research School; Bluesky - @tgresearchsch.bsky.social
Mike Williams (Maths lead and Year 6 teacher at Alexandra Park primary school) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-williams-2021bb413/; X: https://x.com/mikewteach?s=21
Resources
Education Endowment Foundation (2021) Improving mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: EEF-Improving-Mathematics-in-Key-Stages-2-and-3-2022-Update.pdf
Education Endowment Foundation (2021) Improving mathematics in Early Years and Key Stage 1 Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: EEF_Maths_EY_KS1_Guidance_Report.pdf
Education Endowment Foundation (2025) Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning: Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning - Guidance report | Education Endowment Foundation
Further resources:
Maths Horizons problem-solving and reasoning resources
EEF blog, Using worked examples to support mathematical problem-solving
EEF blog, Thinking Aloud to support mathematical problem-solving
Episode Transcript
Maths: prioritising problem solving | Evidence into Action
10 May 2026
Exploring disadvantage in 16–19 settings
In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Helen Urbanowicz explore socioeconomic disadvantage in 16-19 education.
Joined by David Robinson (Education Policy Institute), Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College) and Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College), they unpack what the evidence says about widening attainment and participation gaps, including the growing post-16 participation gap and what leaders can do in different contexts.
The conversation focuses on practical actions that highlight high-quality, evidence-informed teaching and professional development, remove hidden costs and structural barriers, and prioritise belonging so learners can access and thrive.
Guest speakers:
David Robinson (Director of Post 16 and Skills, Education Policy Institute EPI)
Ruth Kendrick (Group Director of Teaching and Learning, New City College)
Emma Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning Development, Truro and Penwith College)
Resources:
EPI (2024) Closing the Forgotten Gap: Implementing a 16-19 Student Premium. London: Education Policy Institute. Available at: Closing the Forgotten Gap: Implementing a 16-19 Student Premium - Education Policy Institute
EPI (2025) Annual report 2025: Disadvantage. London: Education Policy Institute. Available at: Education Policy Institute | Annual report - Disadvantage
EPI (2025) Annual report 2025: Regional Gaps. London: Education Policy Institute. Available at: Education Policy Institute | Annual report - Regional gaps
Further resources:
Find the EEF’s 16-19 hub
Sign up to EEF’s 16-19 newsletters.
Explore EEF’s Effective Professional Development guidance.
Find out more about the EEF’s Evidence Partner Colleges.
See here for the episode transcript - Exploring disadvantage in 16–19 settings | Evidence into Action
26 Feb 2026
Metacognition: Moving forward with new evidence
In this episode, co-hosts Alex Quigley and Corinne Settle (EEF’s Teaching and Learning Specialist) discuss the implementation of metacognition strategies. Experts and practitioners from various phases and subject areas join us to unpack these approaches, exploring what they look like in practice and the impact they have on learners.
Guest speakers:
Dr Beverley Jennings (EEF Programme Manager)
Tom Colquhoun (Director of Somerset Research School and Assistant Headteacher at The Blue School, Wells) BlueSky: @somersetrs.bsky.social; Instagram: @somersetresearchschool; LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/somerset-research-school-134400386
Emily Smeaton (Director of North Yorkshire Coast Research School and Lecturer in ITE at York St John University) X: @NYCResearchSch; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-yorkshire-coast-research-school
Further resources:
Education Endowment Foundation (2024) Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning: Guidance Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation. Available at: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/metacognition- Education Endowment Foundation (2024) ‘Updated EEF guide to metacognition and self-regulation’, EEF News, 21 November. Available at: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/updated-eef-guide-to-metacognition-and-self-regulation
Resources:
EEF’s Metacognitive strategies
EEF’s Scaffold pupil’s use of metacognitionEEF’s Promoting metacognitive talk
Who has been a guest on Evidence into Action
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lindsey McDonald
Toni Hayzen
Ash McGann
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
36
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
89
Contact Evidence into Action
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
