Compared with their peers, a far lower proportion of disadvantaged students who do well in maths at Key Stage 2 go on to secure grades 7-9 at GCSE Mathematics. A new Higher Level Maths Achievement pilot programme from the AMSP seeks to address this. The programme will provide teacher professional development alongside student-facing activities designed to increase the proportion of disadvantaged students doing well in GCSE Mathematics and progressing to Level 3 maths.
Who will benefit from the Higher Level Maths Achievement programme?
This evidence-informed programme will involve 400 schools in 2025/26. It reflects experience from the highly successful Stoke-on-Trent Maths Excellence Partnership. We will work with schools with a relatively high proportion of disadvantaged students to increase the proportion of high achieving Key Stage 2 students gaining a grade 7-9 in GCSE Mathematics at age 16. The Higher Level Maths Achievement Programme will run in partnership with the NCETM and Maths Hubs. The programme is fully funded so comes at no cost to participating schools.
What is involved?
There are two main elements to the programme:
- professional development to help teachers inspire students and teach demanding GCSE content with confidence
- student activities focused on mastering demanding topics and developing mathematical problem-solving skills.
Teacher professional development, developed by the AMSP and the NCETM, will be underpinned by the principles of teaching for mastery. Online sessions will enable teachers to develop the subject and pedagogical knowledge needed to support students to access the highest grades in GCSE Mathematics and prepare them for progression to maths at Level 3.
Teachers at participating schools will get the chance to collaborate and share best practice with their peers through Maths Hubs Higher Level Maths Achievement Work Groups. They will also receive bespoke support from AMSP Local Leads. The aim is for teachers to use programme materials alongside their professional learning to foster a culture of high expectations for maths achievement and progression.
Students will receive additional curriculum sessions and enhancement experiences designed to prepare them for the demands of more challenging GCSE content. In Year 11, students will benefit from consolidation and revision activities led by their own teachers. We’ll also invite schools to trial AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics to develop problem-solving skills.
When does the Higher Level Maths Achievement programme start?
We’ll invite schools to apply during the summer term 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 significant proportion of disadvantaged students underperforming at GCSE Mathematics will be eligible to take part. We’ll publish information about applying for the Higher Level Maths Achievement 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.
