In 2025, only 37.2% of A level Mathematics candidates were female. The Girls’ Progression Programme supports schools to help change that by building girls’ confidence in maths. The programme supports strong GCSE outcomes and encourages more students to consider studying maths beyond GCSE. Launched in autumn 2025, the programme offers practical, targeted support that helps schools make a meaningful difference.
What the Girls Progression Programme involves
The programme is simple: using four core strategies. It empowers and trains teachers to support their female students to feel confident, achieve well in GCSE Mathematics, and to study maths beyond GCSE.
- participating schools identify a Girls’ Progression Programme Lead to champion and support students
- teachers take part in 45-minute online professional development sessions every half term
- an online professional learning community gives teachers the opportunity to share ideas, approaches and successes
- students attend Balancing the Equation face-to-face events, where they can meet peers from other schools and explore where maths can lead
Schools also receive bespoke support from an AMSP Local Lead, helping them align the programme with their own priorities and existing work.
Impact so far
Schools involved in the programme are already seeing a positive impact. Teachers have reported growing confidence among the girls taking part, both in their mathematical thinking and through the opportunity to meet students from other schools.
Students have also responded positively to seeing maths in a broader context. One student said that the panel discussion at a Balancing the Equation event “inspired me to believe in myself”. Many girls were also keen to get involved after hearing about AMSP enrichment opportunities from other students who had taken part previously.
The professional development element has also been well received. Teachers are using the online sessions to bring ideas and activities back into the classroom, while also developing new pedagogical approaches. One teacher described the sessions as:
The time flew! So much was packed in and there were lots of useful links and suggestions. Probably the best use of 45 minutes of CPD time I’ve experienced in a long time!
Schools have particularly valued the manageable structure of the programme, the practical ideas shared through the webinars, and the tailored support from their AMSP Local Lead. Resources for GPP Leads have also supported focused and productive departmental CPD.
Taking part
If you work with students who would benefit from support to achieve their best in GCSE Mathematics and to consider studying maths beyond GCSE, you can get in touch to find out whether your school is eligible to take part.
Places for 2026/27 are limited, so we encourage schools to contact us as soon as possible to discuss eligibility and secure a place.
Email the Girls’ Progression Programme team at [email protected] to find out more.