The proportion of students taking A level Mathematics who are girls is less than 40%, yet progression in maths enhances career prospects and provides opportunities in the future economy.
We want schools and maths departments to have the support they need to enable girls to make this progression with confidence, and to close the gender gap in maths. A new programme will see the AMSP working directly with schools to narrow the gender gap and increase girls’ participation in maths at A level and beyond.
Who will benefit from the Girls’ Progression to A level Maths programme?
This evidence-informed programme is for state-funded secondary schools where significantly more boys than girls progress to A level Maths.
Five secondary schools in each Maths Hub region – 200 schools in total – will be able to participate. AMSP Local Leads will work closely with school leaders and maths teams in these schools to develop and implement evidence-informed strategies to increase girls’ participation. The programme is fully funded so comes at no cost to participating schools.
What is involved?
Schools that successfully foster girls’ progression in maths find strategies to engage all students who have an enthusiasm for maths. This includes:
- building girls’ confidence and resilience
- setting expectations that students progress
- promoting strong messages from Key Stage 3 that many students will need maths in their careers.
We’ll support participating schools to identify the issues that are preventing girls progressing to A level maths, and devise strategies to overcome them. AMSP Local Leads will work with school and maths leaders to influence and support a cultural change to encourage more girls to access the benefits of A level Maths and the contributions that they can make in the future by taking the qualification.
The programme will enable schools to set short-, medium- and long-term goals. The ultimate aim will be to reduce the gender gap. They will be helped to evaluate their success and to refine their approaches to meet the needs of their cohorts. Through the programme, we’ll develop a substantial ‘toolkit’ of strategies for increasing girls’ participation in A level maths. This will be available to other schools that are looking to reduce the gender gap.
When does the Girls’ Progression to A level Maths programme start?
We’ll approach schools from June 2025, with activity starting from September 2025. The programme will run initially until summer 2026.
How can schools get involved?
State-funded secondary schools with a gender gap in progression to A level Maths will be eligible to take part. We’ll publish information about applying for the Girls’ Progression to A level Maths programme on the AMSP website in due course. In the meantime, you can register to stay informed for updates about this programme. For more information about all the support available from the AMSP, search our website or contact us.
