Didasko Maths

Read our blog here: https://www.didaskomaths.co.uk/post/gcse-maths-is-not-a-basic-skills-test-and-it-shouldn-t-be-compulsory

TL;DR summary:

“‘Around 40% of students are leaving school without basic maths skills’ – is misleading on so many levels!”

“In the same way you can be a skilled runner and still not make it into the top 60% in a race – it doesn’t only depend on you and your skills, it also depends on the skills of your fellow racers too.”

“GCSE maths is an academic qualification, and not a basic life skills test!”

“Since GCSE maths is an academic course designed to demonstrate the deeper understanding needed for further study, it should not be compulsory for all students!”

“We mandate that every student must aim for a standard that would lose value if they were all to succeed. Then we weave a narrative of failure when they inevitably don’t all succeed.”

“Only 17.1% of students resitting GCSE maths this year passed it. They internalise that they cannot do maths, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“By insisting they sit an academic qualification we hand them all the maths skills they need for adult life, then we hand them some more skills they don't actually need. And then we throw in some academic-level transferable skills for good measure. It’s too much – even at the Foundation level!”

“Normalising maths options doesn’t only help the lower end, it opens up these options more at the higher end too. It protects the academic prestige of the GCSE courses. It increases the chances that everyone will leave school with strong competence in the core maths skills needed to navigate everyday adult life.”

Want to inspire your child or challenge yourself with intriguing puzzles?

Subscribe to Infinite Insights, our maths newsletter designed to entertain, educate, and empower. Each issue is packed with exciting content, perfect for parents of teenagers, curious learners, and anyone with a passion for problem-solving.

Subscribe before March 3rd, at https://www.didaskomaths.co.uk/infinite-insights, to get the next issue!

Infinite Insights is delivered just seven times a year: one per school half-term, plus a special summer edition. It’s the perfect way to keep maths engaging without overwhelming your inbox.

Beyond the Algorithm: Why Human Connection Still Matters in Maths Education

In a world flooded with free online resources, apps, and tutorials, is there still a place for the personal touch of private maths tutoring? My latest blog post explores why personalised guidance and genuine mentorship are more crucial than ever—and how they address the limitations of going it alone. I look at the unique benefits a tutor can offer that most online tools just can’t. What are your thoughts?

Explore the Argument: https://www.didaskomaths.co.uk/post/beyond-the-algorithm-why-human-connection-still-matters-in-maths-education-one-tutor-s-perspective

The Ultimate Gift for Future Success! 🎁

Looking for a thoughtful and impactful gift? A Maths Tutoring Gift Card is the perfect way to invest in your loved one’s potential.

🧠 What’s Included?
Initial Consultation: To assess the student’s needs and goals.
11 Hours of One-to-One Tutoring: Pay for 10 sessions and get 1 extra hour FREE!

✨ Exclusive Benefits:
Build confidence in tackling challenging maths concepts.
Strengthen problem-solving skills with tailored strategies.
Master exam techniques and memory-boosting revision tips.

👩‍🏫 Who Can Benefit?
This gift is perfect for students of all ages, whether they’re struggling or aiming to excel!
Year 6: Preparing for SATs with extra support in core maths skills.
Year 7: Easing the struggle with the demands of high school maths.
Year 10: Overcoming challenges and disengagement in moving from KS3 to GCSE content.
Year 11: Getting back on track after underperforming in winter mocks.
Year 12: Adjusting to the demands of advanced maths and looking for expert guidance.

💳Pricing (based on level):
Year 1–5: £275
Year 6–8: £300
Year 9–10: £325
Year 11: £375
A-Level: £425

❗ Important Info:
Gift cards available until 23rd December 2024.
Redeemable for sessions until 25th July 2025.
Face-to-face option for those near Durham or virtual sessions available!

📞 How to Order:
Call me at 07536077773.
Head to www.didaskomaths.co.uk/gift-card for an online order form.
Once payment is made, you’ll receive the gift card via email with easy redemption instructions.

✨ Don’t Wait—Invest in Their Future Today! ✨
Whether they need to catch up, stay on track, or get ahead, this is the gift that keeps on giving. Secure your Maths Tutoring Gift Card now and help them achieve their goals!

📌 Limited Availability—Act Fast!

Maths is like knitting: each new concept builds on the last, just like each stitch in a pattern. A small misunderstanding might seem minor, but as new topics build on it, that "missed stitch" can unravel understanding down the line.
You can read more about this analogy on our blog: https://www.didaskomaths.co.uk/post/don-t-let-your-maths-skills-unravel-fix-misconceptions-early

Parents, if your child is struggling in maths—even just a bit—now’s the time to get them support. A block of tutoring sessions now can prevent hours of frustration later and keep their maths skills strong!

Get in touch by calling 07536077773 or emailing [email protected] for your free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Celebration of Mind Day is an annual event held on October 21st to honour the birthday and legacy of Martin Gardner, a renowned writer and puzzle enthusiast known for making math and science fun. It brings together people of all ages to enjoy puzzles, games, magic, and recreational math. Whether you love riddles, brainteasers, or want to explore the fascinating world of mathematics, this day is a perfect chance to challenge your mind in a fun, interactive way.

Get involved by solving puzzles with friends, hosting a game night, or even trying your hand at some new brainteasers. It’s a great way to sharpen your mind and discover the joy of problem-solving!

Here are some short puzzles to get you started! Leave your solutions in the comments!

I do like the contrast between Didasko meaning teach and Mathe meaning learn; unfortunately not many people know enough Greek to spot this :D

I am also taking some creative liberties with the word Didasko, pronouncing it with a hard 'd' sound. In Greek, a delta makes a 'th' sound, and so Didasko (διδάσκω) is pronounced correctly as 'thithasko'.

I do love quotes about maths from non-mathematicians. They show that you don't have to be a mathematician to appreciate the subject!

What's your favourite quote about maths? Let us know in the comments!

Schools have been back a month, and any struggles are likely becoming known.

If your child is in Yr11, you have no time to waste. If there is any worry that you will not achieve the grade you need in your GCSE maths, contact us NOW to book your free no-obligation initial meeting.

However, if your child is in Yr10 it probably feels like you have time to wait. See how they progress over the year, and if there are still issues in Yr11 that's the most important year so we can get tutoring then, right?

But that wait comes with consequences. The tutoring will of course help improve exam results either way, but by waiting you risk losing the other benefits of tutoring. You lose the depth and the long-term benefits of the learning.

Cost is likely a factor in this decision - you may only be able to afford a year's worth of tutoring sessions. My suggestion would be to have tutoring in Yr10 and stop in Yr11 in that case. Or do half an hour a week for two years rather than an hour a week for one year. This is something I am happy to discuss with you, without putting pressure on you to break your budget.

If your child is in Yr10 now and struggling in any way, contact us TODAY to discuss this and book your free no-obligation initial meeting. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

So often when I discuss my social media with others it is suggested that I make my own BIDMAS (or PEMDAS if you are American) question post, as they always gain high interaction as people in the comments argue back and forth over two answers and try to explain the order of operations to each other.

However, the problem with these types of posts is that the question is purposefully written to be ambiguous, using incorrect mathematical notation. Correct mathematical writing of the calculation would lead to no ambiguity, but interaction with the post would be lower.

Didasko Maths’ business is based on us being good at maths, purposefully posting bad maths on social media therefore does not seem the right way to go about marketing our service even if people would interact with it.

However, the more I see of this mathematical clickbait the more it annoys me and the more I felt a need to address it.

For clarity: BIDMAS is a helpful acronym for people needing to remember the order in which to carry out mathematical operations in a calculation.
B: you start with anything that is grouped, traditionally using brackets though they can also be grouped inside a root or on the denominator of a fraction.
I: next, you calculate any indices, that is powers and roots.
DM: after that, you move on to multiplication and division, from left to right as one doesn’t have prominence over the other (this is because division is multiplication of a fraction and not a fully separate operation, hence why they can be switched around for the American acronym).
AS: lastly, complete any addition and subtraction from left to right (subtraction is addition of a negative value and not a fully separate operation).