The transition from GCSE is often challenging for some students, so it’s crucial that Key Stage 4 students feel confident in their understanding of maths so that they feel well prepared for further study post-16.
The AMSP aims to increase the number of students studying AS/A level Mathematics, Further Mathematics and level 3 Core Maths.
Supporting Students’ Transition to A level Mathematics
The AMSP has two resources to help students to consolidate the skills and topics learned at GCSE in preparation for A level study.
Essential Skills materials
Designed for students to complete independently but can be paired with support and additional guidance from a teacher if preferred. Covers cross topic skills such as: Simplifying, Expanding, Sketching, and Factorising.
Transition to A level Mathematics course
Designed for students to work through without input from a teacher over the summer before Year 12. An interactive online course, hosted on Intergral, covering the topics that are of most value at the beginning of the A level course.
Which course is right for me and my students?
The Essential Skills materials emphasise algebraic fluency, which is needed at A level and should look and feel very familiar to GCSE students. They also include enrichment activities to motivate students and to demonstrate how maths is fun, interesting, and important in the real world.
The Transition to A level Mathematics course looks at GCSE Mathematics from an A level perspective. It starts with some fundamental ideas met quite early in GCSE Mathematics; then, developing a deep understanding of the topics covered leads students to gain real insight into how these topics are developed at A level.
You can also read what teachers have to say about the resources and how they have successfully used them.
Supporting students’ transition to Core Maths and other post-16 courses
The mathematical content of post-16 courses can prove challenging to many students. Sometimes this is due to the applied nature of the mathematical content of such courses. The AMSP has produced a Core Maths Skills course to provide a good foundation for students planning to take a level 3 Core Maths qualification that will also help bridge the gap between GCSE Mathematics and post-16 courses.
Core Maths Skills course
An online self-study course which is designed to support students with the transition to Year 12 to study Core Maths, Biology, Geography and/or Psychology
Transition Projects
Watch our Transition Projects video from MEI Inspired 2022 to learn more about each of the different courses we have available
Other support
As their teacher, you’re in a great position to help them understand and engage with the opportunities available to them. Here are some suggestions to help you.
Why study maths?
A range of resources that you can use to promote the level 3 maths qualifications that your school offers to students and parents.
Inspire your students
If your students are going to want to choose to continue to study maths, they need to be enthusiastic about the subject. We organise a large programme of enrichment activities to inspire them.
Taster sessions
There are two lessons for each qualification: A level Mathematics, A level Further Mathematics, and Core Maths. Each lesson has a short introductory video followed by an interactive Desmos activity that you can complete at home or in school.
Advanced Maths qualifications
Your students need to be aware of the full range of advanced maths qualifications and the benefits of taking them. We’ve provided these details for them to access themselves.
Experiences of advanced maths
This series of videos features students who’ve studied A level maths. They share their experiences of studying maths at A level, and why maths was a vital step in their journey to university and pursuing their chosen career path.
Maths: Opening the door to your future
This leaflet explores the post-16 maths qualifications available to students, to help them decide which one is best.