The question

We will explore the question: How do Core Maths teachers support students with low GCSE attainment in accessing and successfully engaging with the more complex mathematical aspects of the course?

 

Background

Core Maths is aimed at all students with a grade 4 and above but research into the Core Maths classroom and supporting students with lower GCSE attainment is very limited.

Participants would be expected to be highly- experienced Core Maths teachers who have the skills to dive deeply into the pedagogy behind supporting lower prior attainment students.

 

Content of the WG

This is a Research and Innovation Work Group, which means we will be bringing our own experience to the group and learning from others and their experiences.  While there will be some starting points available for us to focus on in the initial session, the agenda for the group will be driven by the participants: this will not be a ‘top-down’ group.

 

Output from the group

The main focus is for us to be able to have meaningful discussion and to develop ideas together.  There may then be other outcomes (such as ways of working with certain groups of students, ways to organise teaching, materials, etc) that could be passed to the Core Maths Pedagogy Work Group for use in future years.

 

Dates/Times

Meetings will be held on Zoom, from 14:00 to 17:00 on the following dates:

Tues 2 December 2025

Mon 26 January 2026

Fri 27 February 2026

Tues 24 March 2026

Fri 15 May 2026

Mon 29 June 2026

There will be opportunities to collaborate via Basecamp in between the sessions.

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Participants

Those who take part will need to have taught Core Maths (any qualification) for at least 5 years and to be teaching a class this year.  We will meet via Zoom, so there are no travel requirements or geographical limitations.

The Work Group is fully funded and free of charge to schools and participants.

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