Overview

Teaching Statistics 1 (TS1) is an extended professional development course for teachers wishing to build their confidence in teaching statistics. TS1 covers the statistics content from all major specifications for AS/A level Mathematics.

TS1 consists of:

• 11 live online tutorials
• Two compulsory study days
• Access to course-specific teaching and learning resources on Integral (MEI’s learning platform)
• Email support from a tutor and access to an online group forum

Towards the end of the course a short assignment is issued, for which support and guidance are provided. Course certificates will be available for those participants completing the assignment.

After TS1, participants have the opportunity to continue to TS2, which will further expand understanding of statistics teaching.

Between them, the TS1 and TS2 courses cover the majority of the content of A level Statistics. 

Aims

• Gain a deep understanding of statistics as a problem-solving discipline
• Develop statistical modelling skills
• Develop confidence in working with real data using technology
• Improve statistical subject knowledge
• Build on existing pedagogical skills

Who will benefit from attending?

TS1 is designed for teachers who are currently teaching A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics, or who wish to teach it at some point in the near future. Our course aims and intended outcomes are consistent with the principles set out in the Education Inspection Framework.

Content

Live online sessions take place on Tuesdays from 16:30 to 17:45; these are recorded and available for playback.

Tue 16 Sep:  The big ideas and descriptive statistics
Tue 23 Sep:  Summarising and visualising data
Tue 7 Oct:  Bivariate data
Tue 14 Oct:  Sampling
Tue 18 Nov:  Introduction to probability
Tue 25 Nov:  Conditional probability
Tue 2 Dec:  Discrete probability distributions
Tue 9 Dec:  Introduction to the binomial distribution
Tue 6 Jan:  Introduction to the Normal distribution
Tue 3 Feb:  Hypothesis testing: mean of Normal
Tue 10 Feb:  Hypothesis testing: PMCC of a sample

There are two face-to-face study days where topics will be explored further with a greater emphasis on pedagogy. There will also be opportunities to consider how to integrate the large data set and use technology to support teaching. Attendance at these is expected and these days are not recorded.

For further information about the study days, please see the 'Study schedule' section below.

Materials and equipment

A computer with a reliable internet connection will be required to attend the online tutorials. In addition, a headset or earphones with a microphone is suggested to get the best experience.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. Please note that the course capacity is limited and places are allocated with the expectation that teachers will attend both study days. Please do not apply for this course unless you are prepared to commit to attending the study days.

A limited number of places are available for teachers working outside the state-funded sector in England; once these places have been allocated, applicants from this group will be added to a waiting list.

Cost

This course is free of charge to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. For others the course fee is £495.

Study schedule

Study days

Study days are face-to-face events that start at 10:00 and finish at 16:00, with lunch and refreshments provided.

Participants are expected to attend both face to face study days. Before applying, please ensure that you will be able to organise any necessary supply cover.

Applicants will be asked to select their order of preference from the following options:

Both London groups are now fully booked and we are only accepting applications for our Birmingham group. This course will run again with a London option in the spring and summer of 2026.

Please note that although it is our intention to run these study days face-to-face, exceptional circumstances may require events to be moved online. We therefore advise against making non-cancellable travel arrangements.

FAQs

There is no requirement that applicants have taught A level Mathematics before undertaking TS1. A basic familiarity with the statistical content of GCSE is assumed.

It is difficult to be specific as this will depend on previous experience. In the past, participants have reported spending between one and four hours studying each week. We appreciate that most teachers have workloads that make regular study difficult, so the course is designed with flexibility in mind. We do ask that you have caught up with recordings of any missed sessions prior to attending study days.

It is not our usual policy to allow teachers to enrol on more than one extended course (TAM, TFM, TM, TS, TD) at the same time. Please contact us before making multiple course applications.

The TS1 assignment is the only work that delegates hand in. The assignment requires you to answer questions based around data sets and probability. Use of technology is encouraged and an explanation of how the topics could be introduced and taught in the classroom is expected. To receive a certificate at the end of your TS1 course you will need to submit and pass the TS1 assignment. Certification is optional but we strongly encourage you to submit an assignment anyway to help you consolidate what you have learnt. In the past most teachers have chosen to submit an assignment.

We vary face-to-face study day locations. Recent study day locations have included London, Coventry, Manchester and Leeds.

Participant feedback

I haven't taught most aspects of statistics before and the course gave me confidence and ideas for delivery. It has been very effective.

Great sessions - good to get hands on with data sets!

I now feel like I understand the content much deeper and can make use of Desmos to help with my teaching of the subject.

[The course has] helped me think of more practical approaches to certain topics and interesting ways to introduce them which will hopefully make it more engaging for students.

[The course has] ignited an excitement in statistics that would never have been there before

Key facts

• Reference:#14257
• Audience:Teachers
• Curriculum focus:A level Mathematics
• Mathematical focus:Statistics
• Format:Blended
• Duration:6 months
• Study days:2
• Online sessions:11
• Region:National
• Venue:Online classroom and study days in Birmingham or London
• Start date:16 Sep 2025
• Course times:16:30 - 17:45
• Fee:Free for state-funded schools; £495 otherwise