The Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP) holds its Area Coordinator (AC) Conference at Warwick University

The Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP) recently hosted its Area Coordinator Conference, hosted by AMSP Programme Lead, Will Warne and AMSP Priority Lead, Jonathan Longstaffe. 

The Advanced Mathematics Support Programme is a government-funded initiative. It is led and delivered by MEI (Maths Education Innovation), with Etio as a key partner. It aims to increase participation in Core Maths, AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, and support improvement in the teaching of these level 3 maths qualifications.

The AMSP has more than 40 Area Coordinators throughout England, who work with schools and colleges in their area to increase participation in Core Maths, AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, and support improvement in the teaching of these level 3 maths qualifications by organise local enrichment events and provide a wide range of flexible professional development opportunities. As well as the local offer provided by the Area Coordinators the AMSP provides an extensive nationally organised student enrichment and teacher professional development offer. More information about the AMSP offer is available on the AMSP website. 

A focus on progression

The overarching theme of this AMSP Area Coordinator Conference was progression. The AMSP Area Coordinators had the opportunity to explore 'mastery' in Level 3 Mathematics (including Core Maths), discuss working with a range of schools in targeted areas along with the practicalities of supporting student mathematical progression from GCSE to Level 3 mathematics.

During the two-day conference, there was a choice of two from three carousel sessions which examined the different aspects of mathematics. These included: 

• A discussion about GCSE students who are likely to achieve a grade 5 to 7 at the end of Year 11 and supporting these students to follow A-level mathematics and then progress onto a mathematics related degree – for example, STEM subjects. 
• Comparing the 2023 Further Maths A level papers.
• How to extend GCSE mathematics in preparation for A level mathematics through the comparison of AQA Level 2 Further Maths and the newer Pearson Extended Maths qualification.

Pictured above: Jonathan Longstaffe AMSP Priority Lead.

Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery

The second session, examined how the Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery could be applied in a post-16 A-level mathematics. The session featured an example of 'Variation Theory' applied to the Chain Rule. The initial examples shared are pictured below. 

On the second day the Area Coordinators also discussed what a mastery approach to teaching might look like in Core Maths. This built on the previous mastery session from Day 1 but examined pictorial representation and how this can be used to support understanding.

Engaging schools

The final session of the first day provided an opportunity for the AMSP Area Coordinators to discuss and explore ways to engage schools and shared the success they had achieved in doing so.

A pathway for a future in STEM

The Area Coordinators also looked at how the AMSP can support students who are likely to achieve a grade 5 to 7 at GCSE and want to study A-level mathematics and move onto a STEM related degree, many of this cohort of students are discouraged from even starting A-level. The discussion revealed a need to support schools and teachers to enable and encourage students to study A-level mathematics.

An AMSP Area Coordinator commented on the conference: "Engaging, great delivery and opportunity for discussion.