Teaching resources

The RSS has a goal of supporting public understanding and engagement, working to ensure that people of all ages can understand the data and statistics that influence the world around them. 

Teaching resources 

• RSS William Guy Lecturer resources – recorded or live talks, on a particular theme, to inspire young people about statistics and data. 
• RSS Hands-on statistics are ready-made resources for engaging young people in statistics activities. 
• RSS Career development section can inspire upper secondary school students to explore careers in statistics.
• Stats in the wild are set of bespoke evidence-based resources for exploring statistics using outdoor maths. These have been produced as part of Maths Week Scotland 2025. 
• The UK Data Service has teaching datasets (with real data) and resources for teaching about quantitative data, qualitative data and data management. 
• Skew the Script – a range of resources exploring relevant data in civics, economics, medicine, social media, sports and more (developed in the US). 
• American Statistical Association (ASA) has compiled a list of useful websites for teachers (developed for the US curriculum). 
• Navigating numbers – the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data education programme for students aged 16 years and over, including a series of classroom toolkits.  
• Gapminder has a wealth of resources for teaching and demonstrating statistics in the real world. 
• Mathematics Education Innovation (MEI) resources on exploring data with technology. 
• Dr Frost resources include practice exam questions, explanations and courses. 
• Oak National Academy – a range of resources including on statistics and data.
• Resourceaholic – ideas and resources for teaching secondary school maths, including statistics and data. 
• Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP) datasets and resources, which enable students to interactively explore data about meaningful topics using authentic, real-world datasets.
• Slow Reveal Graphs, which encourages sensemaking, interrogation and critical reflection on real data.
• What the Graph, which encourages students to practice their interpretation skills and question the data and its context, using topical real-world examples.

Books and journals on teaching statistics 

• Teaching Statistics - a journal aimed at people teaching statistics at school and junior undergraduate level. The journal publishes material related to teaching and learning that is likely to be of broad interest to educators, including original research, case studies and articles describing novel teaching methods and technologies. 
• ​Statistics Education Research Journal (SERJ) – published by the International Association for Statistical Education (IASE), including original research and reviews of research literature. 
• Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education (JSDSE) - journal with a broad remit, encompassing original research, case studies, reviews of educational materials and review articles. 
• Technology Innovations in Statistics Education (TISE) - a journal focusing on new technologies, or novel use of existing technologies, in statistical education. 
• Jones R.C. (2024). Statistical Literacy: A Beginner’s Guide. Sage Publications.  
• Macey D and Hornby W (2018). Teaching Statistics. Cambridge University Press.
• Gage J and Spiegelhalter D (2016). Teaching Probability. Cambridge University Press.

Other societies promoting statistics education 

• International Association for Statistical Education 
• American Statistical Association (various education communities and committees) 
• Teaching Statistics Trust 

Conferences and meetings (largely higher education) 

• International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS) - every four years 
• UK Conference on Teaching Statistics (UKCOTS) - for everyone with an interest in the teaching of statistics in higher education, across a range of departments and disciplines (also open to those interested in pre-18 education or in professional training). 
• Burwalls – an annual conference for teachers of statistics in medicine and allied health sciences. 

RSS e-Teacher membership and Teaching Statistics Section 
We offer free online e-Teacher membership for school teachers, to help you be involved with our work and stay in touch with the statistical and data community. You can also join our Teaching Statistics Section. Find out more and join today. 

Contact us on policy@rss.org.uk if you have any questions.