Overview

Teaching Further Mathematics 1 (TFM1) is an extended professional development course for teachers wishing to develop their own subject knowledge and classroom practice in teaching A level Further Mathematics. It covers at least the pure material common to all AS level Further Mathematics specifications. 

TFM1 consists of:

• 10 live online tutorials
• Two compulsory study days
• Reference texts to support your studies
• 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.

Following completion of this course, participants may wish to study TFM2, which includes the remaining pure content common to all A level Further Mathematics specifications.

Aims

• Gain a deep understanding of A level Further Mathematics.
• Develop confidence and skills to teach A level Further Mathematics, focusing on subject knowledge and effective pedagogy.
• Provide opportunities for mathematical thinking, explore connections, and identify misunderstandings.

Who will benefit from attending?

TFM1 is designed for teachers who are currently teaching AS or A level 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

TFM1 covers the compulsory content across all AS level Further Mathematics specifications. This means there will be coverage of AS level topics and, depending on your awarding body, some coverage of A level topics. There will also be a small amount of content from non-compulsory parts of some specifications.

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

Wed 10 Sep:  Course introduction and multiplying matrices
Wed 17 Sep:  Matrices 1
Wed 1 Oct:  Complex numbers
Wed 15 Oct:  Roots of polynomials
Wed 5 Nov:  Series and proof by induction
Wed 12 Nov:  Vectors 1
Wed 26 Nov:  Matrices 2
Wed 10 Dec:  Vectors 2
Wed 7 Jan:  Eigenvectors
Wed 21 Jan:  Applications of integration

At the two course study days these topics will be explored further, with a greater emphasis on pedagogy. There will also be opportunities to consider how the use of technology can support teaching and learning.

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 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. In previous years, schools and colleges in particular areas also qualified for a subsidy to help with travel and cover costs; please note that under revisions to the AMSP programme, these subsidies have been discontinued and will not be paid in the 2025-2026 academic year.

For teachers working in other institutions, there is a course fee of £495.

Study schedule

Study days

Study days are face-to-face events that start at 10:00 and finish by 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 Manchester 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 enrolling on TFM1 however, much of the pure content of A level Mathematics is assumed knowledge. The Teaching A Level Mathematics (TAM) course is highly recommended for teachers looking for support with teaching A level Mathematics.

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 end of course assignment is the only work that delegates hand in. To receive a certificate you will need to submit and pass the 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. Recently study day locations have included London, Coventry, Manchester and Leeds.

Participant feedback

Thanks for a great course, I have learnt a lot and am looking forward to trying some of the ideas out this year.

Genuinely been so impressed with TFM1&2 and have loved taking part. My teaching is heaps better for it.

Actually made me think about how to deliver a subject rather than just teach from the book.

The course was fantastic and I have used so many of the resources.

...it was nice to spend a day on maths with like-minded people.

Key facts

• Reference:#14258
• Audience:Teachers
• Curriculum focus:A level Further Mathematics
• Mathematical focus:Pure
• Format:Blended
• Duration:6 months
• Study days:2
• Online sessions:10
• Region:National
• Venue:Online classroom with study days in London or Manchester
• Start date:10 Sep 2025
• Course times:16:30 - 17:45
• Fee:Free for state-funded schools; £495 otherwise