The Maths department at The Sixth Form College, Solihull is celebrating, after learning that they have received approval for their application to become a Further Mathematics hub for the region.

The Hub is a collaboration between Warwick University and the College, and is designed to increase the number of students studying Further Mathematics at A Level in the local area.

The College is bucking the downward trend itself, but the numbers of students studying Maths is currently at an all-time low nationally. This initiative is just one example of the work the Maths department is doing to attract more students to study the subject. Already, around 20% of the College students take an Advanced Level Maths course, a tremendous achievement given the national malaise. 

This drive is a crucial part of government plans to increase the number of graduates in the Sciences and Mathematics. 

The Hub means that students across the region will be able to join Further Maths classes at the College, irrespective of where they are studying. Work has already begun to establish the schools that might be interested in joining the provision and the Mathematics department are organising a series of master classes for higher level Mathematics students in order to promote it. In addition, a Further Mathematics Conference is planned for March 2007.

This is a continuation of the exemplary work the Maths department is doing at the College. Teachers have developed a range of cutting-edge learning materials, which include the use of computers, graphic calculators and interactive materials. Recently, more than 80 students participated in the National Maths Challenge (Senior), many of them achieving gold certificates, and a high proportion of students progress to University to study Mathematics courses.