Further Education Maths Challenge
Please complete this register of interest form to take part in the 2025/26 Maths Challenge.
MEI’s Further Education (FE) Maths Challenge is a competition for post-16 students working towards gaining a Functional Skills maths qualification or improving their GCSE Mathematics grade.
MEI are pleased to announce that our sponsor for the Further Education Maths Challenge is AQA.
What is the FE Maths Challenge
Check out our video to find out more about the FE Maths Challenge
The FE Maths Challenge emerged from our work with theStoke-on-Trent Mathematics Excellence Partnership. In 2021, we turned this into a national project and worked with colleges across England and in collaboration with the Centres for Maths Excellence to extend the competition to other areas.
The FE Maths Challenge has since grown to involve ten regional centres, eighty-two colleges, and more than 32000 students, with teams from across England and Wales participating. The competition culminates in regional finals held at colleges, universities, and sports stadiums. The FE Maths Challenge goes from strength to strength, and we encourage you to get involved.
A comment from our sponsor AQA:
We set and mark the papers for around half of all GCSEs and A-levels, but we’re more than an exam board. As an independent education charity we reinvest all of our income. From funding cutting-edge research, to supporting new insights that help raise the bar in assessment practice internationally, we’re always focused on fair and inclusive assessment and the positive impact it has on teaching, learning and society.
We’re proud to sponsor the MEI FE Maths Challenge and their aim to raise the quality of maths education for everyone. We believe that this competition enables learners to become more confident about their maths ability and boosts their self-belief in other areas of their life.
How do I get involved?
The Further Education (FE) Maths Challenge is split into 10 regions, each run by its own Regional Centre. If a region is large, then there may be two Regional Centres within the region. A Regional Centre is responsible for liaising with MEI and colleges within its region and arranging its regional final.
If you are interested in becoming a Regional Centre and/or the National Centre for Further Education (FE) Maths Challenge, please complete the application form.
Who are the Regional Centres for 2024-25?
- West and South Midlands – Solihull College and University Centre
- West & North Midlands – Stoke-on-Trent College
- South East – Harlow College
- Yorkshire & Humberside – The Sheffield College
- West and Wales – Hereford College of Art
- South (Brighton) – Chichester College Group
- London – Southwark College/ NCG
- North East – Northumberland College
- North West – Oldham College
- South West – Bridgwater and Taunton College
Who is the FE Maths Challenge for?
The competition is open to any student in 16-19 education (or in the case of an EHCP, aged up to 25) who has not yet achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE Mathematics, who is enrolled at a college, school, sixth form, or training provider involved with the FE Maths Challenge. Students aged below 16 on 1st September 2024 and those on adult courses are not eligible for this competition.
There are three entry categories:
- The Funkies – for students whose highest GCSE grade is a grade 1, or studying FS entry
- Ein2steins – for students whose highest GCSE grade is a grade 2, or studying FS Level 1
- Go Forth – for students whose highest GCSE grade is a grade 3, or studying FS Level 2
Student feedback
- 96% of students stated that “Overall the FE Maths Challenge” was “Good” or “Excellent”.
- Feedback showed that 80% of students feel that the FE Maths Challenge has improved their confidence in maths.
- 70% of students feel that the FE Maths Challenge has improved their confidence in taking their maths exams.
“I really enjoyed taking part in the FE Maths Challenge, as it provided an engaging and thought-provoking experience. The variety of questions tested not only my mathematical skills but also my problem-solving abilities, encouraging me to think critically under time constraints. I particularly appreciated the balance between straightforward and more complex questions, which made the challenge both accessible and stimulating. It was a great opportunity to apply maths in a competitive yet enjoyable environment, and I found the experience rewarding. Overall, the challenge was well-organized, and I would love to participate again in the future.”
I loved the thrill of it being able to do maths but in a fun way, really got the adrenaline pumping.
When is the competition?
The competition runs from late November to late March.
Training
Late November – Early December
- In class
- Kahoot quizzes
First round
December
- In class
- Kahoot quizzes
College Final
January
- In college
- Kahoot quiz and a Tarsia jigsaw puzzle
Regional Final
March
- In college, at a large venue, such as a sports stadium or university
- Kahoot quiz and a Tarsia domino puzzle
National Final
NEW – April
- In college, at a large venue, such as a sports stadium or university
- Kahoot quiz and a Tarsia domino puzzle
How is it organised?
The Further Education (FE) Maths Challenge runs throughout England and Wales and is split into 10 regions. Each region is run by its own Regional Centre. If a region is large, then there may be two Regional Centres within the region.
A Regional Centre is responsible for liaising with MEI and colleges within its region and arranging its regional final, and MEI supplies all the questions and materials needed for the Challenge.
News stories from previous FE Maths Challenges
For further details
Please contact the FE CPD team at [email protected] or on 01225 716495.