Maths pathways for all
Different pathways exist to lead children and young people through maths to age 18 and beyond. To help them along this journey, Pearson provides qualifications and resources that support students for all abilities from KS2 transition to A level and for their future careers.
Supporting student transitions from KS2 to KS3
When students step up to secondary school, addressing gaps in their knowledge can be a huge challenge for teachers. To help them to make this transition, we’re constantly researching new ways to help students engage, no matter where they are on their maths journey.
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A quarter of a million children enter secondary school without basic Maths
50% of maths teachers say that prior learning experience is one of the top barriers to student learning
Maths trainer Catherine Murphy and Dr Naomi Norman talk about accessibility in GCSE maths, and bridging the gap between KS2 and KS3.
Listen: The Right Angle Podcast ep.24 - Making the most of Textbooks and Resources
Pathways up to 16
Learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. We believe in helping all students to achieve their potential, regardless of their background, ability, or learning style.
That’s why we offer more learning routes and qualifications for students than any other learning company.
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“In the best maths classroom environments, students will know that it’s OK to fail. That it’s great to support their friends and classmates. And that teachers won’t let them do nothing, or let them give up.”
Read: How maths teachers can make a difference – view from Susan Okereke
Supporting Post-16 GCSE students
Just 15.2% of students gained a Grade 4 in their maths GCSE resit in 2022.
We want to help all students by delivering the most consistent, accessible and reliable exams for Post-16 GCSE Maths. We also offer a vast range of dedicated support to help reduce the stress for students having to resit an exam.
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“After so many attempts and not passing, it starts to really have an effect on you because you feel like it’s something that you’ll never get, and you’ll never understand it. I didn’t like maths in the beginning, but I started to resent it more as time went on” – Erin, school leaver
At Pearson, we have a range of support to help your students with their GCSE resits, including:
Steve Pardoe from the ET Foundation shares his findings from work across the Centres for Excellence in Maths around successful post-16 GCSE maths study.
Listen:The Right Angle Podcast ep.13- Delivering GCSE Maths at Post-16
Emma James who has over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading maths in Further Education settings, talks through themes such as building maths confidence through emotional safety and how to ensure they are ready for their next exam series using various teaching strategies and resources.
Listen: The right Angle Podcast ep.30- Unclocking potential at Post-16
Post-16 pathways
Today maths is the most popular choice among A level students. To support this choice we offer a number of Post-16 qualifications for students that want to continue with their maths learning journey.
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“For the first time ever, more than 100,000 students are collecting A level Maths results in this summer’s exams”.
The Resit Rethink: A new approach for post-16 learners
Thousands of Post-16 students are caught in a cycle of resit failure and exam fatigue for GCSE English and maths, chasing a Grade 4 that is supposed to signal the level of English language and mathematical skills they need to be successful in future study or the workplace.
It’s crucial that these students have a way to demonstrate their achievements in these foundational areas for when they enter the workplace or further study - and also that they develop the valuable literacy and numeracy skills they need to be successful in life.
What we’re calling for....
We're calling for a rethink of how post-16 English and maths students achieve success, ending the requirement to re-sit exactly the same content studied at school. Our workable, well-supported short, medium and long-term changes can start making a difference from day one and build towards the greater reform that we, and the wider education community, know is needed.
Change with immediate impact
- We need a specific focus on how the resit policy works in a real-world FE setting
- We advocate for changes within the existing GCSE subject content
A longer- term vision
- In the medium- to longer- term, we believe a new GCSE for post- 16 learners is needed.
It all adds up with Pearson Maths
Maths is more than understanding how numbers work. It’s one of the most powerful ways we make sense of the world around us.
It shapes how we reason, solve problems, connect ideas and make informed decisions.
In a world increasingly shaped by information, algorithms, digital technologies and AI, mathematical thinking matters now, more than ever. It is critical that all students develop the skills to question assumptions, interpret data and recognise when something doesn’t add up.
Yet for too many young people, maths can feel fragmented, pressured or disconnected from their lives.
That’s why at Pearson, we believe every student deserves a maths education that builds understanding, confidence, curiosity and enjoyment. We champion great maths teaching - the explanations, questioning and perseverance that help develop a lasting appreciation and love of the subject.
Maths adds up for students when...
Foundations are secure
Progression is clear
Confidence grows over time