Axiom Maths

Axiom Maths believe in the power of maths to transform lives and nations. Access to that power should not depend on a child’s background. Our mission is to help every child with the head and heart for maths realise the potential of their power.

This charity support the programme and provides the funding to make this vision a reality and Maths Circles if the backbone of what they do.

Why do Maths Circles?

Maths Circles will engage good mathematicians and develop their understanding of maths, their ability to take intellectual risks, to articulate their ideas and listen to others in constructive debate.

This will deepen students’ understanding and encourage them to take their study of maths into complex maths through to A-levels, Degrees, Postgraduate Studies and subsequently follow related careers.

One of the objectives of Axiom and Maths Circles is to promote social mobility, and this is an excellent way to enthuse students who don’t yet know they love maths. We would like Maths Circles to include a high proportion of underrepresented groups – in particular all Maths Circles need to contain at least 30% pupil premium students.

About 30% of the students who are high achieving mathematicians at the end of KS2 are no longer high achieving at the end of KS4. This proportion increases significantly if we consider students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Maths circles keep students involved in a vibrant community of mathematicians and we hope to keep a much higher proportion of them in the high achieving cohort.

What are Maths Circles?

Maths Circles will deepen a love and understanding of maths in high achieving mathematics students.

They are a series of 1-hour sessions delivered throughout years 7 to 11 providing challenging and enjoyable problems for students to solve collaboratively. This is an excellent, well-resourced maths enrichment programme that provides schools with an easy way to challenge both their highest achieving mathematicians as well as students who could move into this category.

The session is led by a mentor who will help develop students’ ability to explain their reasoning, take risks, collaborate with their peers, learn to actively listen and engage in constructive intellectual debate.

Who are Maths Circles for?

Students start Maths Circles in year 7. They are aimed at students in approximately the top 10% of the achievement range nationally. Since Maths Circles should support social mobility at least 30% of the students in your Maths Circles should be Pupil Premium students.

This is a long-term programme and students who get involved should have continued involvement through to year 11.

What resources and funding are available?

Axiom is a well-funded charity, and they have put a great deal of time and effort into developing an excellent set of resources and training materials. This is all fully funded by them and free to state schools.

All the sessions have training videos, power points and resources for students pre-prepared to ensure mentors have everything they need to deliver an excellent session.

Axiom will also provide financial support to schools that deliver Maths Circles. If your school runs 30 session in over the year in year 7 and 8 you will recieve £2835 to support the programme.

What do students say?