The aim of this year long programme is to inspire female students to continue Maths at A Level and beyond. The aim is for them to benefit from a year long programme in which they hear about and engage in all things Maths, alongside other girls in Year 11.

Last year’s programme was a resounding success, 94% of the female or non-binary 2020/21 cohort are now studying A-Level Mathematics (in 2021, 4.8% of female A Level entries were Mathematics)!

The aims of this programme are to:

• enhance confident, aspirational and active engagement in Mathematics
• raise pupils’ awareness of their own potential and improve successful ambitious university application rates and the take-up of further enrichment opportunities
• enhance their personal expectations and aspirations, as well as broadening their horizons
• develop the skills you need to achieve a Grade 9 in GCSE Mathematics
• build participants’ confidence to apply to universities that require an A* in Mathematics at A Level

This initiative runs in collaboration with Maths Inspiration and NRICH.

We are looking forward to seeing applications from students with a passion for Mathematics. This programme is open to all year 11 female or non-binary students of Mathematics and we would particularly like to encourage female or non-binary students who might be considering studying Mathematics or a STEM subject at University.

You will need to meet the following requirements

• You must currently be a female student in Year 11 (S4 Scotland; Y12 N.Ireland)
• You must be predicted to achieve GCSEs in Science and Mathematics graded at 7-9 (or A/A* level). For Scottish applicants, you must be predicted to achieve National 5s in Maths graded at A.

We would like to support as many students as possible through the programme. However, this programme aims to support students from backgrounds that are under-represented in higher education. Therefore, if it is oversubscribed, we will prioritise students who match one or more of the following criteria:

• Have lived, or are currently living, in local authority care
• Are attending a UK state school
• Are eligible, or have been eligible within the past six years, for free school meals
• Are a refugee
• Have caring responsibilities for a family member
• Live in neighbourhoods with low overall progression rates to higher education
• Have no parental history of higher education
• Have a disability

November: Masterclass 1 – Where can Maths take you?

Students in Years 11 will benefit from masterclasses to learn about the value of learning Mathematics beyond GCSE. Participants will have the chance to hear from Trinity alumni on career options with a Mathematics degree.

December: Masterclass 2 – Maths Inspiration Masterclass

Trinity’s partner, Maths Inspiration, is a national programme of interactive maths lecture shows for teenagers. They give students a chance to experience the UK’s most inspiring maths speakers presenting mathematics live in the context of exciting, real-world applications.

I am delighted to announce that Hugh Hunt, a Reader in Engineering at Cambridge University, will be delivering a session to you as part of the programme. He has the prestigious Rooke Award for public promotion of engineering. Hugh is famous for his documentaries on Channel 4, including Dambusters – Building the Bouncing Bomb, and Attack of the Zeppelins. His research is in Climate Engineering – how to cool the planet if we fail to meet our CO2 emission targets. Prepare to be amazed!

Nicole Cozens is a Lead Educator for the National Space Academy. When she’s not enthusing about mathematical space things she is also a Maths Teacher and National Coordinator for the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (something you’ll hear more about in future sessions but well worth checking out if you have some time spare). Nicole is going to introduce matrices and you will learn about how useful they are and how they are used to create amazing images, such as this amazing Mandelbrot Set!

January: Masterclass 3 – Getting a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths

Trinity’s very own Outreach Coordinator (and ex-Maths teacher) will be delivering a session on how to achieve a Grade 9 in GCSE Mathematics. By following the helpful notes and guidance outlined in this session you can score top grades in GCSE maths exams.

We also welcome Alison Kiddle, a mathematician, educator and maths communicator based in the East of England. She graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge in 2002, then taught maths in secondary schools and worked for the NRICH project, where she spent 11 years creating rich and innovative classroom resources for 11-18 year olds, and leading teacher professional development workshops.

February: Masterclass 4 – NRICH

Trinity academics demonstrate a mock tutorial to show how discussion and intellectual curiosity is fostered and supported. Students will also have the opportunity to meet and talk to current undergraduates studying at Trinity.

March/April: Masterclass 6 – Applying to Oxbridge – Myths and Misconceptions

There are prevailing myths surrounding Cambridge which can often put people off from applying. Here we bust common misconceptions about applying to, and being a student at Cambridge.

Zoom webinars

When you register to attend a webinar-style session, you will then be sent a Zoom link which will allow you to join the event. Your camera/microphone will not be enabled, and you will only be able to communicate with the hosts/panelists running the session by typing out questions or comments. The majority of the events will be in this format.

Zoom meetings

Some of the more interactive events in this programme may require your camera/microphone to be switched on. These will take place using the Zoom meeting function – upon registering, you will be sent a Zoom link to attend one of these sessions. As part of the registration process, you will need to obtain the written permission of a parent/guardian to attend an event of this kind. A DBS checked member of staff will be present in each event where participants’ cameras and microphones are enabled.

Do I have to attend all sessions?

We would like students to attend as many of the webinars as possible throughout the year. Each session will be offered at numerous times and dates in order to enable more students to attend. However, we understand it may not be possible for students to attend all webinars and we’re happy to pass on key resources to participants who were unable to attend a particular webinar.