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 MESME 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. 

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 should start Maths Circles in year 7 or 8 and 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?

MESME is a well-funded charity and they have put great deal of time and effort into develop 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.

We will also provide financial support to schools that deliver Maths Circles and for each Maths Circle that is run for a year we can fund a TLR 3 (currently the funding would be £1350 for 30 sessions delivered over a year.) If a school is running more than one Maths Circle further funding would be available either for more TLRs or to fund staff time. 

What do students say?