A worrying proportion of able students do not achieve the grades they are capable of in mathematics. There are a number of reasons for this problem: lack of specialist teachers, low expectations and aspirations, behaviour difficulties, concentration on C/D borderline students, lack of progression from KS3 to GCSE to name but a few.

This course will explore the causes of underachievement by able students and propose strategies at school, departmental and classroom levels. There will be a particular focus on strategies for schools with a relatively small proportion of able students.