The sigma Mathematics and Statistics Support Network Michael Grove, David Bowers, Tony Croft, Trevor Hawkes, Duncan Lawson & Moira Petrie

The origins of a mathematics problem “There is an increasing inhomogeneity in the mathematical attainments and knowledge of students entering science and engineering degree programmes.” “The decline in skills and the increased variability within intakes are causing acute problems for those teaching mathematics-based modules across the full range of universities.” Measuring the Mathematics Problem (2000) 2

An ongoing problem… “Many students do not realise that mathematical facility will be necessary for success in a range of higher education subjects.” ACME (2010) “…universities are marginalising mathematical content in the delivery of degree courses because English students are not capable of studying it…” RSA (2012) 3

Mathematics support Activities and resources to support and enhance students’ learning of mathematics and statistics in any discipline and which are: Additional Non-judgmental, informal, not credit-bearing Supportive and non- threatening Offers alternative approaches to problem solving 4

The rise of the support centre “…46 out of 95 responding institutions did provide additional support for mathematics.” Lawson, Halpin & Croft (2002) “88 out of 103 responding institutions offered mathematics support provision. 30 classed as ‘highly visible’ centres.” Perkin, Lawson & Croft (2012) 5

Responding to the mathematics problem… Measuring the Mathematics Problem (2000) MSOR Subject Centre (2001) Launch of (2003) and (2005) sigma Centre for Excellence in Mathematics & Statistics Support (2005 – 2010) Responding to the Mathematics Problem (2007) Launch of (2011) National HE STEM Programme (2009 – 2012) 2013 – Continuation of sigma Network 6

Activity: Established 14 new Support Centres in England and 8 in Wales Provision enhanced in a further 6 National sigma network Sustainability 13 Centres continue in England (12/13) and 5 in Wales Referenced in OFFA agreements “I’m very pleased to say that the centre has already proved its worth in the first year.” Vice-Chancellor, University of Lincoln 7

Continuation: Continued HEFCE Support for the sigma mathematics & statistics support network “Maths skills are a pre-requisite for a wide range of jobs. sigma is a great scheme to broaden access to maths amongst a wide range of students, many of whom thought they had dropped Maths at 16. I am delighted HEFCE is increasing funding for sigma.” Rt Hon David Willetts MP 8

Sigma Network Hubs 1.Liverpool John Moores University 2.University of Sheffield 3.University of Wolverhampton 4.University of Bath 5.University Campus Suffolk 6.University of Greenwich 9

1. Maintain regional sigma Hubs 2 workshops per year An electronic newsletter One regional summer intern each year (matched) Emma Cliffe (Bath), Leslie Fletcher (LJMU), Ruth Fairclough (Wolverhampton), David Bowers (UCS), Chetna Patel (Sheffield), and Noel-Ann Bradshaw (Greenwich) 10

2. Online: 11

2. Mentoring recently established centres “This would not have been possible without the support we received from sigma…of most use to us was our mentor…” New Centre,

3. Postgraduate tutor training Regional workshops for postgraduates working in support centres 13

4. CETL-MSOR Conference & sigma prizes CETL-MSOR /9 September Cardiff University “I look forward to this conference as a place to meet colleagues most closely aligned with my field.” Delegate 14

5. Establishment of new centres 5 (in England) in 2013/14 5 (in England) in 2014/15 15

6. Resource development 16

7. Embedding sustainability Provision, practice and learning 17

Establishing a disciplinary identity “….colleagues have moved on to gather data on the way students use such resources and look for optimal strategies for the delivery of this support, and this is perhaps the most convincing evidence of acceptance. Mathematics support came of age in the first decade of the 21st century. What might once have been described as a cottage industry now plays a respected and widely adopted role in Higher Education.” Joe Kyle, University of Birmingham 18

Tackling Transitions Contributions From: Peter McOwan & Vivien Easson, Kevin Houston, David Pritchard, Louise Walker, Mike Robinson, Mike Savage, Paul Hewson, Trevor Hawkes, Clare Trott, Neil Challis, Stephen Hibberd & Jeff Waldock, Chris Sangwin, Julian Williams, Barbara Jaworski & Stephanie Treffert-Thomas, John O’Donoghue & Olivia Fitzmaurice, Emma Cliffe, Melissa Rodd 19

Get in Touch Michael Grove Associate Director - sigma University of Birmingham 20