The Maths Progression Programme (MPP) is a five-year programme managed by MEI, which started in September 2024. The MPP is one of four programmes funded by the Maths Excellence Fund. The other programmes are managed by United Learning, the Inspiration Trust and the University of East Anglia, and the Co-operative Academies Trust.

Addressing the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers

The MPP aims to remove barriers to maths achievement at the highest grades at GCSE and A level for high potential disadvantaged students and support students to progress to study maths or maths-related disciplines at a higher level. The target group of students for additional support through the MPP are those with “high potential” to achieve top grades at GCSE Mathematics, who are eligible for Pupil Premium.

The key student outcomes, which the MPP aims to address and measure, are:

1. Enjoying and engaging in maths from ages 11 to 16
2. Attaining grade 7-9 in GCSE maths
3. Choosing to study A-level maths and, where appropriate, A-level further maths
4. Attaining grade A-A* in A-level maths and, where appropriate, A-level further maths
5. Progressing to a maths degree.

Through participation in the MPP, schools will have stronger maths departments with the knowledge and skills necessary to support high levels of attainment and progression, so that students will have more confidence in maths and greater aspirations to follow maths-related careers. 

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is undertaking an implementation and process evaluation for the MPP and the other three programmes on behalf of the Maths Excellence Fund. Phase 1 of the evaluation runs from January 2024 to December 2026.

Supporting schools in Birmingham

The MPP is working with nine secondary schools in Birmingham, building maths leadership and teaching capacity to implement and embed sustained improvement in maths attainment and progression.

The core components of the Maths Progression Programme are:

• Maths Progression Lead (MPL) – a part-time (0.2 FTE) role in each participating school, who acts as a champion for maths progression. The MPL will provide additional capacity to support maths achievement and progression, setting high expectations for students and teachers.
• Additional curriculum support for target students in KS3 and KS4 – support for small groups target students, focusing on deepening understanding and developing problem solving skills. Additional booster classes for target students in KS4 will be delivered to help them achieve grades 7 to 9 in GCSE Mathematics.  
• Peer mentoring – mentoring of target students by older students and volunteers, to build self-efficacy, provide challenge and raise aspirations. 
• Extending the curriculum for higher attaining students – establishing provision of extension courses in KS4, such as the AQA L2 Further Maths course, which supports attainment at GCSE and gives students confidence that they can succeed at A level by exposing them to some A level content in KS4. 
• Professional development – for maths teachers, with the aim of improving attainment of students at grades 7 to 9 in GCSE Mathematics.In addition to providing training for the MPL, MEI will work with the MPL and the Head of Department in each MPP school to audit their maths department’s PD needs and produce a tailored PD plan.
• Enrichment – for target students to develop their confidence and capability in maths. Opportunities will be provided in collaboration with external organisations, such as the AMSP, Axiom Maths Circles, UKMT challenges, Maths4Girls, STEM Ambassadors and local universities.

The Maths Excellence Fund is a charitable programme of Purposeful Ventures, funded by XTX Markets and The Hg Foundation.