Old School tie

The choice of ECUK's CEO Andrew Ramsay to officially inaugurate the Further Mathematics Network's final regional centre was something of a no-brainer. Not only has ECUK been an ardent supporter of the network - which has already had a significant impact on the numbers studying AS and A level further maths - but Andrew was also once a pupil at Chosen Hill School, Gloucester, the location for the new centre.

The FM Network is a government-funded initiative and is managed by independent charity MEI (Mathematics in Education & Industry). It has played a crucial role in reversing a twenty-five year decline in the number of students taking further maths. In England, the numbers sitting the subject at A and AS level are up by 39% and 89% respectively since 2004, more than in any other discipline. Completion of the network, which with the addition of Chosen Hill School comprises 47 centres across the country, means that all students in England now have access to further maths, which has not been the case for some years. By the late 1990s many schools and colleges, particularly in the state sector, had stopped offering it.

Schools and colleges that are not able to offer further maths - because numbers are too small or there are no teachers available - can arrange for tuition of their students through the nearest regional centre. This is based on a blended learning approach that combines face-to-face lessons - frequently involving students from a number of schools and colleges - with independent study using the network's extensive on-line resources. Tutors are assigned to provide individual support between lessons, often via e-mail, and revision days are laid on to aid preparation for exams.

As a member of the FM network advisory panel, Andrew Ramsay has been closely involved with the scheme's development. Speaking to a large gathering of Gloucestershire sixth-formers at the opening of the new centre, he said: "Students who take further maths are much better prepared for studying engineering and other mathematics-related subjects at university, and are thus more likely to complete their courses. They emerge stronger in key skills like calculus, and also gain a broader mathematical knowledge, taking twice as many optional modules as those doing standard maths AS/A levels. And for students who use the FM network - with its mix of lectures, tutorials and independent study - there is the added benefit of following a university style learning system. Importantly, it is the study of further maths - and the fascinating insight it gives into the fundamentals of engineering - that makes many young people want to go on to become engineers.'

In 2007, there were 7872 entries for A level further maths across the UK, 8% higher than in the previous year. (This largely excludes Scotland, where most students take Scottish Highers.) AS level numbers were up 18% at 7426. This year is expected to bring still further increases, at both levels. The uptake of standard mathematics is on an upward curve too, with last year's A level entries totalling 66,000.

Interestingly, support provided by the FM Network has resulted in an increase in those state schools and colleges that are themselves able to offer further maths. In 2005/06 their numbers grew by 16%.

ECUK's Andrew Ramsay tells two young maths high-flyers about the wide variety of engineering careers that could be open to them.