Licensed Trainers
Dr Andy Ash
Maths Hub Lead, Holy Family Catholic MAT
Andy leads the Cheshire and Wirral Maths Hub as well as strategically leading maths across a multi-academy trust in the northwest of England. He specialises in closing the gap between research and practice and has significant experience supporting teachers in understanding what evidence informed teaching looks like. With a background in early years maths, Andy has since gone on to work with both primary and secondary school teachers and lead several large-scale school development projects.
Andy’s research specialism is in classroom-based, ‘close to practice’ sociological study, where he enjoys unpicking the nuances within education research and better understanding how these can be applied in the classroom. He has published several papers based on his research so far and continues to investigate teachers’ use of textbooks in the primary maths classroom.
In his spare time, Andy likes to produce music, paint and get outdoors to rock climb as much as possible!
Claire Craddock
Deputy Headteacher, World’s End Junior School
Claire Craddock is Deputy Headteacher at World’s End Junior School, and leads on Mathematics, Assessment and Standards in Teaching & Learning.
Claire is Assistant Maths Hub Lead for Central Maths Hub and an active Cohort One Mastery Specialist Teacher who participated in the Shanghai Teacher Exchange in 2016.
She leads on several Maths Hub programmes including Teaching for Mastery Programme (Readiness, Development, Embedding and Sustaining), the Subject Knowledge for Teaching Maths Programme, the Year 5 to 8 Continuity Programme and the NCETM PD Lead Programme. Along with her co-lead, Claire oversees the work of the other Primary Mastery Specialists.
Claire is a Specialist Leader in Education, completed the MaST accreditation and an MA in Specialist Primary Maths Education. She recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) programme and is part of an Advisory Group for the new Leading Primary Maths NPQ.
Claire introduced Maths — No Problem! into her school in 2016 and her school is a Maths — No Problem! Accredited School. Over the years she has supported many schools with implementing the programme effectively.
Helen Hackett
Maths Executive, Excelsior Multi-academy Trust
Helen Hackett is the Maths Executive for Excelsior MAT, Mastery Lead for Central Maths Hub, and a Cohort One Mastery Specialist Teacher. She has worked with Maths Hubs since they were first established, and with NCETM. Helen leads on several Maths Hubs programmes and oversees the work of the other Primary Mastery Specialists.
Her education career began with early years, then working with pupils with SEN, before being a primary maths teacher, then subject leader at Parkfield Community School. Helen is a primary Specialist Leader of Education (SLE), completed the MaST accreditation, and is a Professional Development Lead. She combines this work with being a School Development Lead, has an NPQ in Leading Teacher Development and is involved with the delivery of the new Primary Mathematics NPQ.
Helen began her involvement with Maths — No Problem! as part of the textbook research programme in 2015. Since then she has helped schools around the country develop the teaching and learning of mathematics, including the effective implementation of resources such as Maths — No Problem!
Over recent years Helen has focused on research in the areas of early years, SEN and enhancing the opportunities for girls in STEM – passions that are rooted in her own life experiences.
In her spare time, Helen enjoys spending time with her young grandson, who strangely enough, really enjoys mathematics and all things STEM.
Dr Jeremy Hannay
Headteacher & Lead Author of Teaching Guides, Series 1
Three Bridges Primary School, London
Jeremy is the headteacher of Three Bridges Primary School in Southall, London. The school was one of the first to pioneer the Singaporean approach in the UK in 2015 and has since opened its doors to hundreds of schools and thousands of school leaders and teachers.
Jeremy completed his doctorate at the University of Exeter, keenly interested in Lesson Study in Mathematics and its ability to impact on areas including school climate, teacher learning, teacher self-efficacy and school improvement. Three Bridges Primary School has supported schools in the UK and abroad adopting more collaborative and connected approaches to teacher learning and school improvement through its development of the practice of Lesson Study.
Jeremy was lead author for the Maths — No Problem! first edition teaching guides for KS1 and KS2 and, under the tutelage of Dr Yeap Ban Har, further developed classroom anchor charting, maths journaling and a UK-ready lesson structure to support the textbook series. He has led training for schools and school leaders across the UK and Europe, and supported international groups from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore itself!
Before moving to the UK from Canada, Jeremy was involved in leading athlete development programs and coaching volleyball in Ontario. He is hopeful that his two young children will one day have transformational experiences in sport in the same way he did.
Louise Hoskyns-Staples
Independent Education Consultant and Assessment Author and Master Trainer, Maths — No Problem!
Louise Hoskyns-Staples is an experienced trainer at Maths — No Problem! and the author of the Maths — No Problem! Insights Assessment Papers. She is a former researcher for the Department for Education, where she focused on finding methods of assessment that enabled children to demonstrate their understanding.
She has worked as an executive headteacher and head of SCITT. She led the primary mathematics team at the University of Worcester, where she continues to work as an Associate Lecturer.
Louise is a lead evaluator for NCETM and an Assistant Maths Hub lead for SHaW Maths Hub. She has a particular interest in girls’ attainment in mathematics and works with teachers to research effective teaching methods for girls.
Louise works as a school improvement partner in the West Midlands. She provides intensive mathematics support to schools nationally.
In her spare time, Louise enjoys walking her two dogs over the Malvern Hills and is learning Italian.
Alex Laurie
Lead Trainer, Maths — No Problem!
Alex Laurie is a primary school teacher trainer based in New Zealand. She first became aware of the Singapore approach when she was living in England, teaching at a primary school in London. She immediately recognised the significant impact it was having on her own teaching as well as on her students’ results and their enthusiasm for maths.
Alex joined Maths — No Problem! with the belief that Aotearoa New Zealand schools could benefit from the same opportunities the approach provided teachers and students in England. She now works in Canada and New Zealand, going into schools and modelling lessons and supporting teachers to implement the pedagogy.
Alex has a Business degree majoring in marketing and communications. She also has a graduate diploma in primary education.
When Alex has spare time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, spending time with her family and indulging in her passion for travelling.
David O’Connell
Head of Teaching and Learning and Year 6 Teacher, Three Bridges Primary School
David has been teaching Maths — No Problem! At Three Bridges Primary School in Southall, London, for nearly a decade. The school was one of the first to introduce the Singaporean approach in the UK in 2015.
David has welcomed schools nationally and internationally into his classroom, hosting Open Days focusing on Maths Mastery and using Maths - No Problem! resources to structure lessons. He has been involved in, and facilitated, numerous cycles of Lesson Study with a specific focus on improving mathematics in the primary classroom.
He has completed an MA on the use of Dialogic Teaching in Maths Mastery and is currently working towards a Doctorate, focusing on the philosophy of education through poetic inquiry.
Ben Tudor
Deputy Head Teacher, Manley Park Primary School
Ben Tudor is Deputy Head Teacher at Manley Park Primary School, a Maths — No Problem! Accredited School in central Manchester where he leads on pedagogy and CPD. He is also a Maths Specialist Teacher and Specialist Leader of Education (SLE).
Ben is Assistant Maths Hub lead for Primary for the North-West One Maths Hub. Along with being a Teaching for Mastery Specialist, Professional Development lead and delivering support to schools, he leads the Targeted Support programme and the Development and Sustaining phases across the Hub. Over the years, Ben has led Maths development projects with multiple local Teaching School Alliances and has worked closely with the Coalition of Research Schools at the University of Manchester.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys being active with his three children and playing and watching football.
Emma Valério
Deputy Headteacher, Three Bridges Primary School, London
Emma Valério is Deputy Headteacher at Three Bridges Primary School in Southall, London. She joined the school as a newly qualified teacher in 2007 and has loved every single year since, gaining teaching experience across the age range for 12 years before moving out of the classroom.
Emma has been involved with Maths — No Problem! since 2015, lending her expertise to teaching, resource development, and training sessions. Armed with a Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, she embodies a commitment to nurturing both students and educators alike.
Emma's unwavering love for mathematics infuses her work with boundless enthusiasm. She has a dedication to fostering mathematical excellence in young minds.
