Who to recruit
Half of pupils facing disadvantage who are top performers in maths at the end of primary school do not go on to achieve top grades at GCSE. You play an important role in changing this by identifying and engaging the right pupils from the start.
Your circle should include:
- Pupils eligible for pupil premium: you should aim for every high prior attainer who is eligible for the pupil premium to attend, and for pupils eligible for pupil premium to make up at least 30% of your circle.
- Pupils facing wider disadvantage: not all disadvantage is captured by pupil premium eligibility. Think broadly about pupils whose home or personal circumstances might make it harder for them to continue achieving well in maths through secondary school.
- Pupils with the heart for maths: enthusiasm and interest are strong indicators of how well a pupil will engage with a maths circle. A taster session is a great way to assess this.
- Pupils with the head for maths: high prior attainers, typically with a Key Stage 2 SATs scaled score of at least 113 (or 111 if eligible for pupil premium). This benchmark isn't a hard rule. Use your judgement for pupils who you believe are working at this level but whose results don't reflect it.
When you are recruiting, think carefully about pupils who will truly benefit from joining the maths circle community. Pupils may not all be the top performers in their year group, but joining a maths circle could help them realise the potential of their power and prevent them from dropping off the trajectory towards becoming a great mathematician.
If you have limited spaces, prioritise pupils most at risk of not fulfilling their potential by Year 11. You can also consider the online nominations programme if you are not able to fit every pupil into your circle.
Selection problems
We provide selection problems to help you identify the right pupils. They complement existing data like SATs scores and teacher recommendations, and are especially useful for spotting pupils with the heart for maths which traditional assessments might miss. The materials include short creative tasks, longer problem-solving challenges, collaborative activities, and open-ended exploration tasks. Use them in whatever way suits your setting.
A note on SEND
Many pupils with SEND excel in maths circles. We aim to make circles inclusive to all pupils, and currently run them in both mainstream and special schools. Some mentors tell us that pupils with additional needs particularly benefit from the emphasis on building confident mathematical communication in a small group. As with any educational provision, some pupils with SEND will need reasonable adjustments to make the most of the opportunity. Speak to your Axiom Maths contact to discuss the support we can offer. For an example of how we worked with one pupil to adapt the Axiom Maths journey for them, read this case study.
How to recruit
The best recruitment strategies vary from school to school. Plan ahead and be ready to refine your approach each year.
When to recruit
Starting your recruitment as early as possible is vital. Many schools start in the first weeks of Year 7 while others involve Year 6 teachers in the process. Year 7 pupils are often adjusting to a new school culture and deciding the identity they want to adopt. By recruiting early, you help pupils make maths part of who they are and circles can become part of their new routine.
Aim for a circle of 10 pupils initially. To meet expectations for funding, circles must have at least 6 pupils attending regularly. Over-recruiting initially helps to keep the circle sustainable over time in case pupil numbers drop.
How to launch
Building excitement around the programme early supports both recruitment and retention. Schools have used many different approaches to achieve this. You could:
- Share the Axiom Maths programme video to excite and inspire pupils.
- Run an assembly presentation then invite pupils to apply.
- Run a sample session as a taster.
- Give personal invitations to pupils who would benefit most. Some pupils might be nervous, worried they won't be clever enough or know anyone. A personal invitation, or even a phone call home, can make an enormous difference.
- Invite your pupils from previous years to act as ambassadors for the programme.
- Give a short presentation to your maths department, linking the programme to your school's values. Having colleagues champion maths circles with their pupils can be invaluable. You can also involve other key people at your school to promote the programme including members of SLT, the Pupil Premium Lead and those leading year group pastoral teams.
- Invite colleagues to drop in on maths circle sessions.
Application forms
Some schools ask pupils to complete an expression of interest form. This can increase commitment and reinforce the sense of achievement when pupils are selected. Bear in mind that the process might put some pupils off, so supplement any application-led approach with direct support for target pupils.
Promotion resources
We provide ready-made resources to support your recruitment, including:
- Recruitment poster
- Parent and carer letters (for new and existing pupils)
- Pupil expression of interest form
- Promotional slide deck to share with pupils
- Sample sessions resources
- Selection problems
Recruitment FAQ
Can pupils join late?
Even with a well-planned recruitment strategy, you're unlikely to get it exactly right first time. Be prepared for some flexibility, particularly in the first couple of terms. In a small group it's relatively easy for a pupil to catch up, and having other pupils support this process can be beneficial for everyone. Read our guidance on pupils joining an established circle here.
What if more pupils want to join than I have spaces for?
If you have sixth form pupils at your school, consider the Junior Mentor Programme. Sixth form pupils will train as Junior Mentors to support you in leading your maths circle, allowing you to grow your group beyond 10 pupils.
You can also consider nominating pupils for the online programme if you cannot accommodate the number of pupils who are interested in joining your in-school circle.
Where demand is high, make sure the pupils registered on the Axiom Maths programme are those who will most benefit from the journey.
Can I use Axiom Maths materials in other ways?
If you'd like to use Axiom Maths materials outside the funded programme — for example, in other extra-curricular provision or in lessons — please contact us to discuss this.