As part of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) values, here at the AMSP, we know that post-16 maths qualifications can benefit all students who’ve achieved at least a standard pass at GCSE maths. However, some groups are still underrepresented in Level 3 maths, STEM degrees, and STEM careers.
Our EDI work aims to support underrepresented students and teachers in achieving their full potential and benefitting from the advantages a level 3 mathematics qualification offers. We aim to provide information and ideas for how you can best support all students, including those minoritised in STEM, to realise their full potential by choosing the right post-16 qualifications for them and then offering support to ensure they achieve their best in these qualifications and to gain a place doing the STEM degree of their choice.
Why are equity, diversity, and inclusion important in the maths classroom?
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their best in maths. We aim to achieve this by working to improve outcomes in GCSE and Level 3 Mathematics while also increasing participation in post-16 maths qualifications.
It is also our belief that all maths teachers should have access to high-quality PD and support to progress to leadership roles. We know that teachers from minority ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented in leadership, and therefore, it is particularly important to ensure our PD is accessible to teachers who already face barriers to progression.
Our EDI work currently has four main strands in order to best support students and teachers:
Supporting all of these strands, you will find appropriate career information and enrichment content that aims to provide more diverse role models for your students. This includes curriculum content, teaching resources, and professional development to improve the quality of teaching for GCSE and Level 3 mathematics and support career progression.
Some of the support we can offer includes:
- Research into the participation of minority ethnic students in advanced maths.
- Research into female participation in advanced maths.
- Strategies to increase participation of underrepresented groups.
- Resources to help you implement those strategies, including support to diversify the mathematics curriculum to give more students a sense of belonging in maths.
To read more about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and its role in education, visit the Department of Education website.
If you would like to explore these ideas further or have anything you would like to contribute, please get in touch with our EDI Lead: [email protected].