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The Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving (IMPS) project aimed to highlight the importance of mathematical and statistical problem solving across the sixth form curriculum. To enable AS/A level students and teachers to see how mathematics and statistics are used in context across a variety of subjects.
Background
Research published by the Nuffield Foundation in 2010 showed that the UK’s levels of participation in mathematics education post-16 were significantly lower than for other developed countries, and reports from the Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education in 2011 highlighted the need for more young people to learn mathematics to a higher level in order to meet the needs of industry and higher education.
MEI wanted to investigate how to ensure that students developed the ability to apply mathematics and statistics to analyse and solve problems across STEM subjects, social sciences and business and sought funding to carry out research and development work.
Funding
In 2011 we were successful in gaining funding from the Clothworkers’ Foundation to develop work on ‘Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving’ (IMPS) into the post-16 curriculum.
Activities
MEI worked with schools and colleges, universities, learned societies, professional bodies and industry to develop a set of resources designed to help teachers of mathematics and teachers of other subjects at A level to teach relevant aspects of mathematics and statistics, showing how they are used in solving real problems.
Impact
The recommendations in the report of this work helped to influence the Government to consider the development of new qualifications, and led to MEI receiving Government funding to develop a ‘Critical Maths’ curriculum, building on the ideas of Professor Sir Timothy Gowers. This curriculum development work, together with the IMPS project findings, was made available to inform awarding bodies’ development of the new ‘Core Maths’ qualifications, designed for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics but who do not intend to pursue a strongly mathematics-related discipline in higher education or employment. Core Maths qualifications were taken by over 12,000 students in 2021. The potential cohort is over 250,000 and the long-term aim is that over 100,000 students will take Core Maths qualifications each year.
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.