Making Maths Count
I have been a Maths Adviser (based in Devon, England), for many years, after teaching in schools in England and Canada, and believe that thinking is at the heart of mathematics and therefore should be at the heart of mathematics teaching and learning. This belief informs all areas of my work including the professional development programmes and support I provide.
I am interested in learners experiencing the beauty and wonder of mathematics in equitable settings, where all learners have a voice, are supported to participate and have the potential to influence each other, and where the focus is on mathematical consensus building as part of a learning community. I attribute some of my love of and interest in mathematics and mathematics learning to the hours I spent as a child at school exploring Cuisenaire rods.
My research interests are many and varied and I have developed and led numerous research projects since first working on Raising Attainment in Numeracy in 1997/8 (supported by Mike Askew and Tamara Bibby). My doctoral research explored the development of counting in pre-school children whilst recent research projects include collaborations with colleagues from the Centre for Mathematical Cognition at the University of Loughborough focussed on exploring the link between executive function and mathematics, and with colleagues from Jersey and Norfolk focussed on the impact of the teaching of multiplication and the multiplication tables check.
I am the Jurassic Maths Hub Primary and Early Years Lead, a trustee of the Joint Mathematics Council (JMC), Visiting Fellow in Mathematics Education at Loughborough University and co-chair of BCME10, which is planned for October 2026.
In 2017 I was lucky enough to visit Japan as part of the IMPULS programme and am now a trustee of the Collaborative Lesson Research UK charity which works with leading Japanese professors to support professional development in the UK through lesson study. This work has heavily influenced not only my approach to professional development but also my understanding of teaching through problem-solving.
If you are interested in me working with you please contact me via: ruth.trundley@rtmaths.uk