Congratulations to students who are receiving their GCSE results today. Completing secondary education marks a significant milestone in a young person’s life, with important choices to be made about transition to future study or employment.
The AMSP strongly encourages students to continue with maths post-16. Developing mathematical and data analysis skills beyond GCSE helps young people to prepare for the future, whatever their aspirations. The ability to use maths with confidence is important in all walks of life.
To support students with the transition from GCSE to A level Mathematics, the AMSP has produced a new collection of Essential Skills resources, and a self-study Transition to A level course, for students to work though or just dip into. These resources are free, and we hope that schools and colleges will use them with their students to encourage and support them during the early weeks of their A level courses.
For students who have achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE Mathematics, but who are not intending to take AS/A level Mathematics, Core Maths is the ideal option. The course consolidates and extends the skills learnt at GCSE and helps support their understanding of the mathematical content in other subjects such as Psychology, Geography, Biology and Business.
Schools and colleges that don’t yet offer Core Maths to their students can get expert advice and extensive support from the AMSP to help them to offer it. There’s additional funding provided by the DFE in the form of the Advanced Maths Premium to help schools/colleges provide the teachers and resources to deliver Core Maths.
Universities are increasingly recognising the value of Core Maths, including some leading universities making alternative admissions offers across a wide range of degree subjects to students with Core Maths qualifications.
To support students starting Core Maths courses this September, or students starting an A level with mathematical content, we’ve produced a new, free, self-study Core Maths Skills course. This aims to help students consolidate GCSE Mathematics techniques in various contexts and support them in the transition to their new sixth-form studies.