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.
These three principles sit at the heart of our vision for maths.
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.
The Classroom of Today
What 1,000+ secondary maths teachers told us about learning today.
The Classroom of Tomorrow
What 1,000+ secondary maths teachers told us about the changes ahead.
Reform Readiness Checklist
Know what to focus on now and what comes next.
Assembly pack
Show your students where maths can take them
Coming soon: GCSE Maths Reform Webinar Series
Stay up to date with the latest reform developments, hear from maths experts and explore what the proposed changes could mean for your department.
By signing up to our future of maths newsletters you will be kept up to date on webinar launch dates and our latest activity.
What is the maths community saying?
What the future of maths could look like | Bobby Seagull
What the future of maths could look like | Susan Okereke
What the future of maths could look like | Lella Violet Halloum
Are Schools Ready for AI in Maths Education? | Susan Okereke
Help shape what's next
We're inviting teachers, students, subject experts and education partners to contribute their views and help shape the future of maths education for everyone.
Fill out our form to get updates on all our reform activity and let us know your area of interest to participate in our research and focus groups.
Shaping the future of maths together
At Pearson, we believe the future of maths should be shaped with the profession, not for it. As maths education evolves, teachers and leaders need clarity, stability and support they can trust.
As the UK's leading GCSE and A level maths provider, we work closely with schools, teachers and the wider maths community to understand what works and where change is needed.
That's why we're continuing to listen, learn and build on our research, helping shape a maths experience that works for every learner.
The research informing our work
Our research brings together teachers, school and MAT leaders, further education providers, universities, assessment experts and subject specialists to explore curriculum, assessment, progression and teaching practice.
This work includes:
- Large-scale teacher research across schools, colleges and resit settings
- Expert-led review of curriculum content, assessment approaches and progression pathways
- Iterative testing of curriculum reform proposals with practitioners, examiners, post-16 specialists, academics and school / MAT leaders
- Developing and piloting new services and resources for teaching and learning
- Research into approaches to strengthen the continuity and transition from primary to secondary, alongside exploring exploring progression from KS3 to GCSE, and through to A level and university study
- Ongoing engagement with stakeholders across the wider maths community.
Our commitment to you
To support our schools, colleges and the wider maths community, we will:
- Lead as a trusted partner with evidence, expertise and a deep understanding of maths education
- Listen closely to teachers, leaders, students, parents and carers
- Champion mathematical understanding, confidence and progression for all learners
- Support continuity across primary, secondary, post-16, vocational and academic pathways
- Explore the role of technology and AI thoughtfully, focusing on what genuinely improves learning
- Translate insight into practical support that helps teachers navigate change with confidence
- Provide the stability, clarity and reassurance that schools and colleges need during periods of change
- Focus on what matters most for students.
Maths pathways
There are many ways to guide students through maths from primary to post-16 and beyond. Pearson offers qualifications and resources for every ability, helping support progress from KS2 transition to A level and preparing students for future careers.
Confidence in Maths
Maths is part of everyday life—and feeling confident in it makes a big difference. At Pearson, we’re committed to helping every student thrive. By listening to teachers, students and families, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges around maths anxiety.
Your future in maths: A-Z
Your Future in Maths: A–Z reveals how maths plays a vital role in a wide range of professions. This series helps you challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and motivate learners by showing that maths isn’t just for scientists or accountants—it’s for everyone.
Learn more on...
Resit Rethink
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.
Qualification Reform
Qualification reform gives us an opportunity to think beyond what needs to change – and focus on what qualifications could make possible for every student.
At Pearson, we’re working alongside educators, students and experts to help shape a future for qualifications built around the people who matter most.
A new approach to resits
Pearson are supporting HRUC to trial a new approach for GCSE maths resits, putting students at the heart of the solution. This system is designed to build confidence, reduce pressure and recognise progress along the way. Students in the trial will complete assessments in three stages across the academic year. Their performance across these will be compared to that from their end-of-year GCSE exam.
Secure foundations
Every student deserves a secure foundation in maths
Strong foundations in maths are built through curiosity, understanding and reasoning.
Every student should have the opportunity to demonstrate what they know. Whilst teachers need a clear picture and evidence of students' understanding so they can identify gaps, support, challenge and extension for every learner.
With accessible learning experiences that remove literacy and cognitive barriers and clear assessments teachers can support progress with confidence.
Secure foundations help learners build understanding, make connections and take the next step in their learning.
What this means for students
- Access learning experiences that remove barriers and strengthen the foundations for success.
- Helps build secure understanding of core mathematical concepts and reasoning that underpin future learning.
- Allows them to demonstrate mathematical knowledge and understanding through fair and accessible assessment.
- Develop the confidence to build on secure foundations and progress over time.
How this supports maths teachers
- Insight to recognise when students are ready to deepen and extend their mathematical knowledge and understanding.
- Clear evidence that students have developed secure understanding and where further support is needed before moving on to new concepts.
- Actionable insight to identify misconceptions and target intervention effectively before gaps widen.
- Greater confidence to make informed teaching decisions that strengthen students’ mathematical foundations.
- A strong foundation for planning the next steps in learning.
How Pearson already helps make this happen
- Qualifications and resources built using carefully sequenced variation, with a strong focus on mathematical language, reasoning and problem-solving.
- Assessment and inclusive design that seek to reduce literacy and cognitive barriers, with a continued focus on improving accessibility for all learners, including those with SEND and EAL.
- Research-informed learning design that improves access without reducing challenge, underpinned by high expectations for every student.
- Comprehensive practical guidance and teaching support that builds secure understanding of core concepts, with worked examples and strategies to address common misconceptions.
- Assessment insights and digital services that help teachers identify gaps, target support, plan effective interventions and reduce workload.
Clear progression
Every student deserves a clear progression journey
Learning maths should be a coherent journey, not a series of disconnected stages.
Every student should have the opportunity to progress as far in maths as their interests, aspirations and potential can take them. Progression should feel purposeful, relevant and open. Every learner deserves to understand what they're learning, why it matters and and how it connects to the world around them.
With clear pathways, practical guidance and support at key transition points, teachers can help students progress with confidence and recognise the opportunities maths can unlock.
What this means for students
- A clear and connected learning journey from school through to further study and employment.
- Gaining a strong understanding of how today’s learning supports future mathematical study and wider success.
- Meaningful connections between mathematical ideas, real-life applications and future career opportunities.
- The confidence to choose pathways that reflect students’ interests and aspirations.
How this supports maths teachers
- The knowledge and confidence to guide students through future study, careers and mathematical pathways.
- Professional learning and CPD that strengthen subject knowledge and expertise throughout a teacher’s career, supporting effective maths teaching.
- Clear understanding of qualifications, progression routes and key transition points.
How Pearson already helps make this happen
- Qualifications structured to strengthen the key concepts and fundamental skills needed to support successful progression.
- Clear articulation of progression in maths from primary to secondary, KS3 to GCSE, GCSE to A level alongside vocational and technical routes.
- Mapping of prerequisite knowledge, misconceptions and transition points.
- Assessment that values reasoning and application across topics.
- Tools, resources and guidance that help teachers plan coherent, connected curricula, linking classroom learning, real-world application, exams, further study and future careers.
Lasting confidence
Every student deserves to grow confidence over time
Confidence can shape a student's relationship with maths for life.
When students believe they can succeed, they're more likely to engage, apply their knowledge and embrace new challenges. Building confidence starts with secure understanding, recognising progress, creating opportunities for success and tackling barriers, such as maths anxiety.
Teachers need confidence too. Clear qualifications, trusted assessment and practical support help every learner grow in confidence and achieve their potential.
What this means for students
- Growing belief in their ability to succeed and make progress in maths.
- Secure understanding built through purposeful practice and meaningful feedback that develops lasting confidence.
- Support to overcome maths anxiety and develop resilience when facing challenges.
- The confidence to apply mathematical understanding in new and unfamiliar contexts.
How this supports maths teachers
- Strong subject knowledge and confidence in the curriculum being taught.
- The confidence to teach maths effectively and respond to students’ needs.
- Clear, familiar and consistent qualifications and assessments that help teachers prepare students with confidence.
- A trusted qualification provider that delivers reliable assessments, results and ongoing support that schools and colleges can depend on.
How Pearson already helps make this happen
- Assessment designed with consistent structure and a clear progression of challenge within papers.
- Qualifications and resources, developed in collaboration with teachers.
- Resources that build confidence through research-based learning design, purposeful retrieval and deliberate practice.
- Guidance and practical support to reduce maths anxiety and foster a growth mindset.
- Support for non-specialist teachers to build subject knowledge and classroom confidence.
- Approaches that evolve with students’ needs - informed by evidence, shaped by schools and grounded in what works.