Geography and Core Maths

The Society is delighted to be working with the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (managed by MEI) on our Geography and Core Maths initiative.

View the briefing report for schools and HE

LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST 'SYNERGIES BETWEEN CORE MATHS AND GEOGRAPHY: A DISCUSSION WITH MEI, A CONSULTANT AND THE SOCIETY'

The Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP) is a government-funded initiative, managed by MEI, providing national support for teachers and students in all state-funded schools and colleges in England. It aims to increase participation in AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, and Core Maths, and to improve the teaching of these qualifications. Further information about the support and guidance offered by AMSP for other subjects is available here. 

A Level geography provides an important opportunity for young people to develop their confidence and competence in using mathematical, quantitative and statistical techniques, as these skills are a requirement of geography specifications.

The initiative focuses on building support for the circa 80% of young geographers who currently do not study maths beyond the age of 16, and raising awareness of how Core Maths can support geography students during their A Levels and transition to undergraduate studies in geography. It will also provide CPD for geography teachers, online resources and other support.  

Charlie Stripp, Chief Executive of MEI, said:

MEI is delighted to be working with the Society to inform teachers and stakeholders about Core Maths and promote its uptake. Core Maths focuses on the application of maths to situations that students are likely to come across in future life, work and study and will enable students to have greater confidence in working with the mathematical and statistical techniques they encounter in A Level geography and beyond.

The British Academy, the UK's national academy for humanities and social sciences, and the Royal Society, the national academy of sciences, say there is a "substantial unmet need" for skilled people from all disciplines – including arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences – with post-16 qualifications in mathematics. 

Their joint statement outlines a plan to realise the potential of Core Maths qualifications to meet the demand for maths skills. Read the full statement here.

Click here to read some thoughts on the value of mathematics for geographers in our ‘Ideas from Teachers’ section.

If your school would like to get involved please get in touch on education@rgs.org