Motivating students at Key Stage 4
Over the last year students have had their maths learning disrupted due to the pandemic. The AMSP has put together a package of support for Key Stage 4 teachers to help with maintaining the interest of students in maths, motivate their learning and encourage them to consider studying maths post-16.
Key Stage 4 resources
The AMSP has a wealth of experience of providing enrichment and promoting the study of maths.
We have collated a selection of activities and resources for you to use with your classes to motivate and enrich their learning in mathematics. The resources vary in length and style, and can be used in different ways, such as in class activities, individual/independent work, set for homework etc.
We will add a new set of three resources on a different topic every two weeks throughout the summer term.
Resource focus: Geometry
Pentagonal Desks
30 min
Topic
Angles
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter (the initial part of the resource)
- Homework
Building Bridges
60 min
Topic
Similar triangles, angles and length
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Zigzag Area 1
45 min
Topic
Area and perimeter
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Homework
Previous resources
Problem 12 - Dropped!
30 min
Topic
Repeated percentage change
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Homework
- Plenary
Swimming
30 min
Topic
Ratio, fractions, proportion
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Homework
What can you see?
60 min
Topic
Fractions, area, ratio, properties of shapes, angles, parallel lines
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Shaded Squares 2
15 min
Topic
Fractions and percentages including converting between units of measure.
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Group work
Plan a festival
45 min
Topic
Percentages of amounts
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Homework
- Independent work
- Project
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Where maths meets the world of work – urban regeneration
60 min
Topic
Version B and C (Foundation and Higher) - problem solving using number and measurement covering area, scale drawings, profit and percentages
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter (the initial part of the resource)
- In-lesson-task
- Homework
- Group work
- Project
Coming up
We'll add three new resources to this page every two weeks. Here's what we have planned:
| Curriculum area | Topics | Available from |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra |
|
Wednesday 26 May |
| Probability |
|
Wednesday 16 June |
| Careers |
|
Wednesday 30 June |
Other resources
The AMSP has many additional resources that you might be interested in.
Online enrichment event recordings
The AMSP has been running interactive live online enrichment events for Year 10 students. We've recorded shows that we're no longer running and provided accompanying teacher notes.
Go to recordings Enrichment lessons
These activities work really well as enrichment lessons or as part of an ‘activity day’. They offer the opportunity for your students to step outside of the curriculum for a while and have fun doing mathematics and seeing where it can take them!
Go to resources Where's the maths in that?
These resources are designed to demonstrate to students that maths can be found all around them. They are very easy to use, simply display a photograph and ask “Where is the maths in that?”. It's perfect for starters, ends of lessons, assemblies or even homework!
Go to resources Taster lessons of maths beyond GCSE
This set of resources provide two taster sessions for each of Core Maths, A level Mathematics and A level Further Mathematics. They are designed either for use in the classroom or for students to work on independently.
Go to resources 
Upcoming enrichment events
The AMSP runs events designed to engage your 11-16 students with maths, and inspire them to want to continue to study it beyond GCSE. All of our events have been adapted for online participation.
Are you psychic?
1 hour
This event will draw on your students' knowledge of probability, along with their reasoning, problem solving and communication skills, to make decisions based on statistics.
More information Making a million!
1 hour
This event will draw on your students' knowledge of percentages, along with their reasoning, problem solving and communication skills, to work out the best investment strategies.
More information Which career? How maths is used in different roles
45 mins
This event will allow students to explore a career-related question, before working through possible solutions and explaining how this question arises within the career.
More information Which career? Meet people working in different roles
40 mins
This event will allow your students to question people from the world of work about how they use maths and different skills that are essential in their roles.
More information Upcoming professional development opportunities
All of our professional development opportunities have been adapted for online participation.
Higher GCSE topics through mathematical thinking
8 weeks
This course develops strategies and ideas for taking a higher tier topic and extending it, exploring the connections which deepen understanding and develop fluency, and which can be used immediately in the classroom.
Go to recordings