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
• A reference text 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.

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 extended courses enable teachers to broaden and deepen their subject, pedagogical and pedagogical content knowledge. This makes teachers better equipped to make links between topics, address students’ misconceptions and confidently challenge learners at all attainment levels. 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 Wednesdays (16:30 to 17:45); these are recorded and available for playback.

Wed 18 Sep:  The big ideas and descriptive statistics
Wed 2 Oct:  Summarising and visualising data
Wed 9 Oct:  Bivariate data
Wed 23 Oct:  Sampling
Wed 13 Nov:  Introduction to probability
Wed 27 Nov:  Conditional probability
Wed 4 Dec:  Discrete probability distributions
Wed 11 Dec:  Introduction to the binomial distribution
Wed 8 Jan:  Introduction to the Normal distribution
Wed 29 Jan:  Applications of the Normal distribution
Wed 5 Feb:  Hypothesis testing: mean of a Normal & PMCC of a sample

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 to integrate the large data set and use technology to support teaching. Please see the study schedule section below for further information.

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.

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.

Schools and colleges located in areas targeted for additional support (TSMAs) will receive a subsidy payment of £200 for each study day attended.

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:

It may be possible to switch between groups once the course has started, subject to capacity. 

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:#12847
• 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 with study days in London or Manchester
• Start date:18 Sep 2024
• Course times:16:30 - 17:45
• Fee:Free for state-funded schools; £495 otherwise
• TSMA subsidy:2 x £200