MathsMakers Online

Live and Interactive

Each MathsMakers online intervention programme comprises live sessions in which students participate through audio and video.

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Tutorials for Year 10 and Year 11 students run for 60 minutes. Those for younger year groups run for 45 minutes. Students access the tutorials from school and from home, on weekdays after-school or on Saturdays.

In each tutorial, the instructor uses PowerPoint presentations, video and animations to explain concepts and work through examples. Students develop their knowledge and skills by working on assigned questions and participating in discussion. To support assessment-for-learning, there are regular opportunities for multiple-choice quizzes and polls.

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Personal Attention

Students attend MathsMakers online programmes in groups of 4. This helps ensure that each student receives some individual attention and allows the instructor to tailor the tutorials to meet the needs of students closely.

Instructors use the online capabilities of each learning platform to track student learning and progress. This is shared with the student’s regular maths teacher in school.

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Trained and Experienced Instructors

All MathsMakers instructors are trained for delivering maths intervention classes online. This includes online teaching methods as well as technical skills. In addition, our instructors have substantial experience in online one-to-one maths tutoring.

Planned in Collaboration with Schools

The content of each online programme is agreed in consultation with schools. As required, it is closely linked to the school maths scheme of work and provides pre- and post-teaching support around school maths lessons. Alternatively, specific attention is given to core catch-up in foundation Number topics.

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Tutorials are delivered on Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom or any platform that meets the school’s requirements.

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Secure Platforms

MathsMakers complies with guidelines on online teaching issued jointly by Securing Success and the National Resource Center for Supplementary Education, June 2020. In addition, MathsMakers policies have been updated in accordance with guidance from Voluntary Action Harrow Cooperative, July 2020. 

In advance of accepting a student into a programme of online learning, MathsMakers requires a signed Home Learning Agreement with parents and carers.

"The lessons and resources were clearly structured and supported students with ongoing school-based tasks. There was a good amount of repetition to ensure students consolidated their learning. There was a focus on Mathematical language which helped students think about how to articulate their responses. The use of videos alongside verbal explanations also benefited students; they were visual and auditory and added another layer in supporting the learning. Students had opportunities to review parts of the videos on any areas they misunderstood, and could link concepts to examples in the tutorial PowerPoint presentations.

At times, it was difficult to give personalised feedback to students. When asked to show their working-out, students had to use their cameras.  Sometimes it was difficult to see their work. When they could write directly onto their tablet screens, it was easier for the instructor to read the work, address misconceptions and provide praise. 

Overall, the learning of the students who have engaged with these sessions can be seen as a success."

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Ian Smith, Maths Intervention Coordinator,

 Preston Manor High School