Plans to boost the maths skills of learners with low prior attainment have taken a step forward as the government has launched its application process.

The proposals for post-16 Centres for Excellence in maths were first announced in the 2017 Industrial Strategy and in response to Sir Adrian Smith’s review of post-16 maths education which recommended improving basic maths for people over the age of 16.

In his autumn budget last year, the chancellor set aside £40 million to establish “Further Education Centres of Excellence” in maths teacher training alongside a research budget of £8.5 million to test innovative approaches that improve GCSE resit outcomes.

The programme aims to support the post-16 sector to “develop, test, deliver and share pedagogical approaches” to improve maths teaching for students with low prior attainment.

At least one per region

The Department for Education (DfE) expects to fund around 20 centres over an initial three year period with the option to extend a centres’ grant funding annually up to a total of five years. Each centre could expect between £140,000 and £300,000 per annum, depending on the total number of centres set up.

Each centre will be led by an “exceptional post-16 institution” and will be subject to a competitive application process. To ensure the programme covers the breadth of the country the DfE will aim to select at least one per English region, with no more than three Centres for Excellence in any region.

Centre for Excellence will be expected to spread mathematical expertise for the benefit of students and teachers across their nominated network.

To be eligible, institutions must have a minimum of 250 students with prior attainment below grade 9-4 in GCSE maths. Colleges should also demonstrate their capacity to deliver the programme and have at least satisfactory financial health.