David Thomas

Dec 4, 2024 | tes.com | David Thomas

The latest results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss 2023) are in, and there’s plenty for England’s teachers to be proud of. Our already-high Year 5 maths scores remained in line with their previous historic highs, despite the challenges of the pandemic. We ranked ninth in the world - with Lithuania and Turkey the only countries outside East Asia to score more highly.

Jul 22, 2024 | tes.com | David Thomas

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson says that, as a nation, we can do better at maths. She’s right - we can. And what’s more, we should. Because maths doesn’t just change the world; it changes how you see the world. To a mathematician, every obstacle is just a puzzle to be solved. A true understanding of maths allows one to imagine things never before imagined, to see beyond what others have seen and to solve unsolvable challenges. And it appears that I’m not the only maths fan around.

Jul 4, 2024 | portugalresident.com | David Thomas

Traditionally, this time of the year is when there are a greater number of rural fires with the potential to burn with some intensity, although in more recent years some major fires have occurred outside this period, including the October 2017 fires, in which over 40 people died. A few days ago, the National Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection, André Fernandes, gave an interview to Jornal de Notícias in which he explained the strategy to be adopted during this period.

May 7, 2024 | thetibetpost.com | David Thomas

The index highlights a concerning trend where governments, entrusted with safeguarding press freedom, are instead exerting pressure on journalists. Among the five indicators used to compile the ranking, the political indicator has experienced the most significant decline, dropping by a global average of 7.6 points.

May 1, 2024 | tes.com | David Thomas

Everyone’s talking about oracy. As a maths teacher who has weathered numerous whole-school literacy initiatives - you know, the kind where you’re suddenly supposed to integrate 10 minutes of extended writing into every lesson - I’ve grown a bit sceptical. And yet, I’m optimistic about the oracy trend. Talk, done right, has a big role to play in making us better at maths.