
17 Jun
Bar Modelling, Problem Solving and Heuristics
Birmingham, United Kingdom
This course is 50% off!
£205
£102.50 + VAT
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
9:15 – 16:15 (BST) in Birmingham, United Kingdom
Bar Modelling, Problem Solving and Heuristics
1 day
Duration
6 credits
Earned
Course Objectives
This teacher professional development course will provide:
- A definition and an understanding of the importance of heuristics in problem-solving.
- An overview of common heuristics used in maths: guess and check, make a list, draw a diagram, simplification, work backwards, and use logical reasoning.
- An overview of bar models and their importance in mathematical problem-solving.
- A process to incorporate heuristic strategies into lesson plans.
Who this is course intended for?
This course outline is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for teaching primary school educators how to utilise bar models and heuristics in maths instruction. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring teachers are well-equipped to foster a problem-solving mindset among their students.
Meet Your Trainer
Craig Parkinson is a trainer, consultant, and strengths-based coach with more than 20 years’ experience in education. After spending eight years as a Physics and Maths teacher, he moved into educational consultancy and has since worked with almost 12,000 teachers and school leaders across the UK and internationally, including in Mexico, the Netherlands, the UAE, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Bermuda. As an accredited Maths — No Problem! trainer, Visible Learning consultant, and Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, Craig helps educators and leaders translate evidence-informed research into meaningful changes in practice. He is known for making complex ideas accessible, challenging assumptions with warmth and humour, and helping individuals and teams turn insight into impact.

Venue and Directions
Northfield
Birmingham, United Kingdom
B31 2SW
Level up your practice
How It Works
Find out more about the different types of training we offer and whether it's right for you.
International Events
Can't make it to our face-to-face training events? Don't worry! We have several online offerings. To see what's available, go to our Event Calendar and filter for 'online' in the Events dropdown.
By clicking “Accept All”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts.