Why Axiom Maths exists
We believe in the power of maths to transform lives and nations. Access to that power should not depend on a child's background.
Our mission is to help every child with the heart and head for maths realise the potential of their power.
Maths gives us a unique power
To imagine things never before imagined. To see beyond what others have seen. To solve unsolvable challenges.
Maths changes how you see the world. To a mathematician, every obstacle is a puzzle to be solved.
Maths is good for individuals
On average, people with a maths A-level earn 10% more than someone doing an identical job without one. And people with a maths degree earn around £500,000 more over their lifetime than someone with a degree in another subject. That's roughly 15 years of earnings on a median salary.
Maths is good for societies
The power of maths is behind the great breakthroughs of our time. It helps us understand our planet and find ways to improve our lives, from artificial intelligence to climate change forecasting. Our future depends on maths.
But too many pupils fall off track
Every year, 30,000 pupils who were top performers at the end of primary school don't go on to get top GCSE grades in maths. This is particularly stark for pupils facing disadvantage, with half of pupils who were high attainers at primary school not achieving similar grades at age 16.
Something changes as they leave primary school
We surveyed 2,000 pupils in Years 6–9 and found that attitudes shift during the transition to secondary school for high prior attainers. These pupils are:
- 25% less likely to say maths is fun
- 40% more likely to say maths isn't challenging enough
- Twice as likely to say maths is boring
This is felt most strongly by pupils facing disadvantage and is the opposite of the change in perceptions amongst lower attainers. Read more about our research here.
Axiom Maths exists to help change this
We partner with schools to identify pupils with the heart and head for maths, enrolling them on a five-year journey from the first term of Year 7 to Year 11. We support schools to run maths circles and offer online circles for pupils who can't access them in school.
Maths circles create social groups that nurture mathematical talent, where pupils feel at home and valued. We want pupils to see the journey they’re on — how they’ll grow as confident mathematicians, what milestones they can reach and what optional maths opportunities are available if they want to go further.
And it's all fully funded.
And it’s working
In schools, maths circles are supporting over 20,000 pupils. Our blended and online programmes are supporting over 3,000 pupils from across the UK.
Pupils who take part in maths circles are becoming more adventurous, articulate and accepting. They are more confident in class when answering questions and explaining their thoughts, and they are more interested in working and learning from others.
Better still, over 90% of pupils on our programmes report that maths circles are fun.
