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Maths improvement in Stoke-on-Trent
Between 2016 and 2022 MEI worked with schools and colleges in Stoke-on-Trent as part of the Maths Excellence Partnership (MEP), helping transform maths outcomes in the city
MEI’s vision for sustained improvement
MEI’s underlying aim is to develop ways of working that can bring about long-term, sustained improvements to maths education outcomes in towns and cities where young people’s maths education outcomes are below national expectations.
The success of the work carried out so far in Stoke-on-Trent is reflected in the maths education performance data.
The diagram here gives an overview of MEI’s vision for how coordinated, locally-tailored support for teachers of maths across primary schools, secondary schools and post-16 colleges can contribute to improved student outcomes in maths across a town or city.
Background
The Stoke-on-Trent Maths Excellence Partnership was launched in 2016 at a time when Stoke was one of the worst performing local authorities for GCSE A*-C maths attainment. Funded by the city council and Louise Coates Foundation, it is a collaboration between schools and colleges, local universities (Keele and Staffordshire) and education organisations including MEI.
The partnership provides teacher professional development and networking, student study sessions, maths enrichment and learning resources.
Funding
The Stoke-on-Trent MEP has been backed by funding from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and a local charitable foundation trust.
Building on its initial success, the programme expanded to support maths in primary schools in the City through additional government Opportunity Area funding.
MEI’s work in Stoke
MEI provided a variety of professional training and development courses for local educators, benefiting teachers from 13 secondary schools and 38 primary schools.
These included:
- Leadership of primary, secondary and FE maths
- Effective teaching of key topics in key stage 3, GCSE and A level maths
- Using technology to enhance secondary maths teaching
- Teaching maths to greater depth in primary Year 6
- Improving outcomes for post-16 GCSE resit students
Partnership Impact
Professional development impact
97
SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTENDED
67
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN STOKE
60
%ATTENDEES PROMOTED SINCE ATTENTING
Over 60% of teachers participating in maths leadership courses have since been promoted, many of whom are now in senior leadership teams across the city.
MEI also launched its FE Maths Challenge in Stoke, engaging resit students from across the city’s three colleges in a knockout maths competition, culminating in a final in the Stoke FC ground. MEI’s work helped 4,000 resit students strengthen their knowledge and gain confidence in maths.
Results in Stoke-on-Trent improved substantially during MEI’s involvement (the last year we can make a reasonable comparison):
| 2015 | 2019 | 2019 National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of students gaining top grades (A/A* or 7+) | 9.5% | 15.1% | 20% |
| Percentage of students achieving a GCSE ‘pass’ grade age 16 | 59% | 66% | 70% |
| Percentage of post-16 students studying a Level 3 (post-GCSE) maths qualification | 14.3% | 25.6% | 28.8% |
GCSE resit performance improved faster than the national average, and progress was highlighted in college Ofsted reports
Maths leader and teacher networks are now well established, supporting the sharing of good practice. The programme has fostered a culture of collaboration and mutual support, enabling teachers to work together to improve maths outcomes for students across the city.
Find out more about the FE Maths Challenge
Since 2021, the FE Maths Challenge has been run as a nation wide event. In 2024 the competition reached over 92 colleges and 40,000 students annually, with activities such as Kahoot quizzes and Tarsia puzzles culminating in exciting Regional Finals and a new National Final.
A Fully Resourced Maths Curriculum from MEI and Oak National Academy
Since 2023, Oak National Academy worked with MEI’s primary and secondary teams to produce over 1,800 maths lessons.
mA*ths and Further mA*ths Programmes: How We Support Students to Achieve Top Grades at A level Mathematics
The programme is designed to develop the skills students need to achieve an A* in each A level and build their confidence to apply to university courses.
Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving in Post-16 Mathematics (2011-12)
The project aimed to improve the functionality of Integral, our online teaching and learning environment, for those who access the resources on mobile devices.
Critical Maths: A maths-based thinking curriculum for Level 3 (2012-2015)
The Critical Maths project aimed to develop a suitable mathematics-based curriculum for post-16 students who had succeeded at GCSE but were not intending to take A level Mathematics.
The Problem Solving Matters Programme (2016 – Present)
Problem Solving Matters is a course developed by MEI for students from state-funded schools and colleges who are preparing to take admissions tests for entrance to mathematics degree courses.
Nesta EdTech Research & Development programme (2021)
The project aimed to improve the functionality and ease of use of MEI’s Learning Platform, Integral, for those who access the resources on mobile devices.
Supporting Improvement in Maths Education Outcomes in Stoke-on-Trent (2016-2022)
MEI’s work in Stoke-on-Trent aimed to support improvements in maths education at all levels by working closely with local schools and colleges to properly understand their maths education provision and development needs.
Teaching Advanced Mathematics Professional Development (2003 – Present)
A case study that looks into the Teaching Advanced Mathematics (TAM) programme. The programme aims to support teachers of GCSE Mathematics who wish to teach A level Mathematics for the first time.
A new mathematics GCSE curriculum for post-16 resit students (2019-20)
In 2019, we were successfully granted funding from the Nuffield Foundation to create this project aimed to establish the feasibility of a new mathematics GCSE curriculum for post-16 resit students.
Further Mathematics Support Programme (2009–18)
The Further Mathematics Support Programme (FMSP) was a national programme to support state-funded schools and colleges to offer AS and A level Further Mathematics.
Underground Mathematics Professional Development (2014-2018)
The University of Cambridge’s Underground Mathematics project aimed to make studying A level Mathematics a rich and stimulating experience.
Institution of Engineering and Technology Resources (2017-18)
With funding from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), MEI produced a suite of resources to enrich mathematics education at Key Stages 4 and 5.