The MExC role
Each school nominates a Maths Excellence Coordinator (MExC) to lead the Axiom Maths programme. The MExC is the engine behind maths circles at their school. They are responsible for the partnership with Axiom Maths, and for making sure the programme runs well and reaches the right pupils. A MExC is often the lead mentor, but the role might also be taken by a Head of Department or somebody with a role in senior leadership.
We have prepared a job and person description for the MExC role, which can be found here.
Your responsibilities
1. Champion the programme
- Promote maths circles to incoming Year 7s each year, with a particular focus on recruiting pupils facing disadvantage.
- Select a cohort of pupils who will benefit from joining a maths circle community, including high prior attainers, those who are enthusiastic about maths, and those who may not yet recognise the potential of their power.
- Ensure a diverse mix of pupils in each cohort, including pupils facing disadvantage (aim for every high prior attainer who is eligible for pupil premium to attend).
- Promote the programme to parents, senior leaders, and the wider maths department.
- Keep pupils engaged and attending. Identify and remove barriers to participation, especially for pupils facing disadvantage, to maintain a viable circle size of at least 6 pupils per year group.
- Help pupils understand what the programme offers. Pupils who know what's ahead are more likely to stay engaged. Make sure they know they're on a five-year journey, that they'll have access to many additional opportunities beyond maths circles, and that they're joining a community of young mathematicians. Help them see how maths can open doors, including to university, and that the skills they build go far beyond the subject itself.
2. Be Axiom Maths' point of contact
- Serve as the main link between your school and Axiom Maths.
- Respond to correspondence in good time and stay up to date via the monthly newsletter.
- Attend induction training at the start of the programme and the re-contracting webinar at the end of each year.
3. Maintain the quality of circles
- Train any volunteers supporting maths circles, including Junior mentors.
- Aim to complete all 30 curriculum sessions each academic year per year group.
- Coordinate at least one programme development visit from Axiom Maths each year.
For schools with more than one mentor leading circles, MExCs will also:
- Ensure all mentors attend Axiom Maths induction training and use Axiom Maths materials to plan their sessions.
- Carry out at least one developmental observation of every mentor each year, to share best practice and offer feedback.
- Support mentors with planning and delivery where needed.
4. Contribute to Axiom Maths' research
- Ensure pupils and mentors complete surveys on time.
- Keep pupil data up to date on the Axiom Maths Hub, including attendance.
- Ensure mentors take part in at least one Axiom Maths focus group per year.
If you're also the mentor
This section focuses on the coordination of the programme, but MExCs may also lead their own circle. If that's you, the responsibilities in the Mentor section of this guide apply to you too.