What is the Junior Mentor Programme?
The Junior Mentor Programme allows schools to reach more pupils with the heart and head for maths. Sixth form pupils studying A-level maths are invited to support mentors to lead their circle. Junior Mentors gain new skills and build their own mathematical confidence along the way.
Schools on the funded programme receive a small financial reward. Funding is based on the sessions each Junior Mentor has supported. This payment can be given directly to Junior Mentors, or they can be rewarded with vouchers, reward trips or other treats.
For full programme details, visit the Junior Mentor Programme page.
How to join
If you are already working with us, express your interest when you complete your recontracting form.
New schools can express interest after attending an introductory webinar.
How it works
A standard maths circle, led by one adult mentor, works best with 8 to 10 pupils. If your school has more pupils with the heart and head for maths than a single circle can hold, a 'circle of circles' approach lets you grow capacity without needing extra teaching staff.
Sixth form pupils act as supervised Junior Mentors, each supporting a sub-circle of six within a larger circle overseen by the lead mentor. You need one or two Junior Mentors per sub-circle for this to work well.
One important note: the lead mentor must always be present in the room. Junior Mentors and other volunteers support the circle. They do not run it independently.
No sixth form? Here are your options.
If your school does not have a sixth form, Key Stage 4 pupils on track for a grade 7 to 9 at GCSE can also support larger circles. Pupils under 16 are not eligible for the funded Junior Mentor Programme, but you can still use all the materials in the Junior Mentors training package. Younger Junior Mentors may need extra guidance on advanced topics and more in-depth training before they are ready to support a sub-circle.
Other volunteers can work well too. Some schools draw on:
- sixth form pupils from a nearby school or college
- past pupils from your school
- retired colleagues
- parents with a maths background
- university students from a nearby institution
Talk to your Axiom Maths point of contact about what might work best for your school.
Selecting Junior Mentors
Look for pupils and volunteers who:
- have a genuine enthusiasm for maths
- are motivated to support young people
- have shown commitment and reliability
- are open to developing their teaching skills
- are personable and relatable
For more detail, see the Junior Mentor recruitment guidance document on the Axiom Maths Hub, in the Junior Mentors training package under Materials and Resources.
Recruiting Junior Mentors
The training package includes everything you need to recruit:
- a customisable poster to advertise the role
- an editable application form
- a recruitment guidance document
- an editable Junior Mentor agreement form
- an editable letter to parents and carers to inform them and gain consent
- a customisable certificate to thank Junior Mentors at the end of the year
All of these are on the Axiom Maths Hub, in the Junior Mentors training package under Materials and Resources.
Training Junior Mentors
Junior Mentors on the funded programme attend an online introductory training session delivered by Axiom Maths.
All schools also receive an induction programme to deliver to their Junior Mentors. It is split into three parts, each with an editable PowerPoint. You can reorganise the material to suit your context and your Junior Mentors.
- Part 1 introduces maths circle basics
- Part 2 focuses on the 3A behaviours and how to support them
- Part 3 covers how to plan and support circles
The induction is designed to be interactive and discussion-led, just like a maths circle. All materials are on the Axiom Maths Hub, in the Junior Mentors training package under Materials and Resources.
Supporting Junior Mentors during delivery
Junior Mentors can work in different ways. One Junior Mentor might support a circle of six, or they might work with smaller groups in different arrangements. Whatever works best for your school, the lead mentor should always be present and ready to bring the whole group back together when needed.
We recommend a plan, deliver, review loop for Junior Mentors.
Plan
Junior Mentors should do the maths themselves before each session. They will need their own Axiom Maths Hub account to access materials and resources. They will not have access to any pupil data. During planning, they should think about how to support pupils who get stuck and how to extend those who grasp ideas quickly. This can be done as a group or under your supervision.
Deliver
Each Junior Mentor supports pupils in their sub-circle, with the lead mentor present throughout to provide guidance as needed.
Review
After each session, a short review of what went well and what to focus on next helps Junior Mentors grow in confidence and improve their support over time.