Skip to content

Teachers > Functional Skills & GCSE resit > Inspiring students > Further Education Maths Challenge

Further Education 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.

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. 

How do I get involved?

There are two ways of getting involved: 

  1. Become an ‘FE Maths Challenge Regional Centre’, leading the FE Maths Challenge in your city, region or network. 
  1. Take part as a participating college or school with a ‘FE Maths Challenge Regional Centre’ that’s leading the FE Maths Challenge in your region. You can see who is involved as a regional centre this year below.

Registration is now open to apply for the 2024/25 competition as a College Lead. You can register by completing the form linked via the button below.

We are still looking for applications for Regional Centres for the South West and North West of England. Your application for a Regional Centre, if successful, could have a significant impact on the competition in your region. Please be aware that an application to be a Regional Centre does not guarantee you will be selected. In the event that there is more than one application for a given region, we will contact applicants and decide on a case-by-case basis. 

Interested in sponsoring the FE Maths Challenge?

Contact the FE Maths Challenge leader at [email protected].

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
  • Ein2steins – for students whose highest GCSE grade is a grade 2
  • Go Forth – for students whose highest GCSE grade is a grade 3

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.

“Attending the FE Maths Challenge has been a great experience for me, especially as it is my first time participating in a Maths competition. I think this has helped me to understand my strengths and recognise my weakness so I can continue improving.”  

“Overall, its enjoyable and not too pressurised. Everyone’s laughing and having fun. I normally hate maths, but this makes it fun, and I feel more motivated as it’s a competition.” 

“I enjoyed seeing the other colleges compete in the final and seeing them work there best, I also enjoyed working with my friends together and working hard as a team.” 

“I enjoyed how the competition was fun but serious at the same time. How we all communicated with one another to get the answer.” 

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 jigsaw puzzle

How is it organised?

MEI supplies all the questions and materials needed for the Challenge.

The Challenge is run within a ‘cluster’ of colleges. This could be amongst a College Group or any other cluster of colleges that collaborate to take part.

Each cluster needs one college to take on the role of the ‘FE Maths Challenge Regional Centre’, leading the Challenge within the cluster. This involves liaising with MEI, coordinating with the other colleges in the cluster, and arranging the regional final.

Who were the Regional Centres for 2024-25?

  • London:  Southwark College and its network of colleges and schools. 
  • North East: Northumberland College and its network of colleges and schools. 
  • Wales: Pembrokeshire College and its network of colleges and schools 
  • Yorkshire & Humberside: The Sheffield College and their network of colleges and schools. 
  • North West: Tbc. 
  • South: Tbc. 
  • South East: Tbc. 
  • South West: Tbc. 
  • West and North Midlands: Tbc. 
  • West and South Midlands: Tbc. 

News stories from previous FE Maths Challenges

Can I sponsor the FE Maths Challenge?

Yes, if you are interested in sponsoring the FE Maths Challenge at a local level or nationally, contact the FE Maths Challenge leader at [email protected]. 

For further details

Please contact the FE CPD team at [email protected] or on 01225 716495.