This case study explores how the AMSP has helped USP College increase uptake in level 3 maths. With our help, level 3 maths uptake has increased significantly, with A level maths and Core Maths being particularly strong. Read more on how we help achieve this below.
About USP College
USP College is a further education college located in Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex, and Grays Thurrock, England. USP College was founded in August 2017 after the merger of Seevic College and Palmer’s College. Approximately 4,500 students attend the college.
The college offers a wide range of A levels, alongside vocational qualifications, professional and technical courses, apprenticeships and Higher Education opportunities.
Since 2017 there have been significant increases in student numbers for all level 3 maths options. Core Maths numbers increased from 49 to over 200, requiring an expansion to ten classes. A level Mathematics numbers increased from 55 to 142, and A level Further Mathematics from 9 to 19.
USP College
Age range: Post 16
Subjects:
A level Mathematics
A level Further Mathematics
Core Maths
GCSE Resits
What USP College are doing
These dramatic increases came about as a result of a carefully designed recruitment strategy, working with Year 11 students from local schools, in line with USP College’s career-focused education. It focuses on the need for students to continue to study maths beyond GCSE to support their career pathways.
Between September and December, the school conducts interviews with prospective Year 11 students and offers them information, advice, and guidance. These interviews focus on the student’s career aspirations.
The enrolment team from the Mathematics department considers the grades each student will achieve and the best options moving forward
Prospective students attend an interview at which they receive information, advice and guidance relating to their career aspirations. They are then invited to a taster day in June/July. Once their GCSE results are known, they will receive further support from the enrolment team. The student’s career path remains the key focus throughout the process, aiming to ensure that students are taking qualifications relevant to their intended university or employment pathway.
Course promotion
A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics are promoted by teachers when there is a clear benefit for students to take them when considering their other subjects as well as their career plans.
Core Maths is promoted to students who are taking A level combinations, including Social Science, Psychology, Business, etc. The benefits of Core Maths in supporting and complementing the maths in their other subjects are highlighted, as are the benefits of taking Core Maths to support preparation for a future degree course. References are made to the additional UCAS points (equivalent to an AS) and universities encouraging Core Maths, such as the University of Essex. In addition, students are informed of the usefulness of the skills developed in Core Maths for their future employability.
Professional Development
The Director of Mathematics and English at USP College, Seval Fadil, introduced Core Maths at the college. Seval is passionate about promoting level 3 maths to students. She recognises the need for students to study maths beyond GCSE to help them develop the skills and confidence to follow their ambitions and desired career pathways.
The maths staff at USP College are talented and qualified maths teachers, who all teach the GCSE resit through to A level. Seval has embedded opportunities for ongoing professional development, with training included in weekly team meetings and periodic CPD afternoons during the year. Seval is actively engaged with the AQA Maths hub network meetings, and teachers have attended a variety of AMSP professional development courses, including AMSP conferences for Further Mathematics and Core Maths, Teaching Further Mathematics Sustained Professional Development and Higher Level Problem-Solving Professional Development.
Level 3 maths courses offered
| Year | Courses | Teaching time per week | GCSE grade requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | A level Mathematics | 4 hours 30 min | GCSE Mathematics grade 7 or above |
| 12 | A level Further Mathematics | 4 hours 30 min | GCSE Mathematics grade 8 or above |
| 12 | Core Maths | 4 hours 20 min | GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or above and GCSE English grade 5 or above |
| 13 | A level Mathematics | 4 hours 30 min | |
| 13 | A level Further Mathematics | 4 hours 30 min |
Curriculum Structure
Students following an A level route take three A levels during Year 12 and 13. Further Mathematics can be taken as a fourth A level by some students.
The student timetable has five blocks during the week. Each block comprises three one-and-a-half-hour lessons.
Core Maths is offered as a one-year course in Year 12.
“As a college, the strategy is Career-Focused Learning and ensuring that the learner experience and the relationship of the college within the community, local and regional employers, is at the heart of everything..”
Seval Fadil
Director Mathematics and English at USP College
Find out more about A level Mathematics click here. To find out more about Core Maths click here.
More advice
The following resources and pages offer further advice about increasing participation in level 3 maths and teaching Core Maths:
Core Maths factsheet
Further Mathematics Factsheet
Supporting your students’ transition to advance maths page
Strategies for offering Core Maths page
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