Barnsley College partners with MEI to strengthen maths teaching and student support
The College has partnered with Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) to strengthen maths provision in Further Education (FE) and help teaching staff build their skills in Math delivery as part of a Department for Education-funded programme.
MEI is a national maths charity who work to enhance support for students resitting GCSE Maths and to create more opportunities for staff development.
David Akeroyd, Principal and CEO of Barnsley College, said: “We are pleased to enter into this partnership with MEI, which will make a tremendous difference to the skills, knowledge, and confidence of our teaching staff, and to the lives of our students both now and in the future.
As someone who transitioned to teaching from a career in finance, I know that maths is a vital skill used daily in almost every role and industry. Strengthening our maths provision and enriching the experience for staff and students will be of immense value to our whole College community.”
Building confidence and inspiring progress
Cam Fermin, English and Maths Manager at Barnsley College, added: “This partnership is an investment not just in our staff, but in our students’ futures. We are passionate about helping our students build confidence in maths, it’s a life skill as much as a qualification.
By strengthening our teaching and drawing on MEI’s expertise, we’re equipping learners with the skills they need for university, employment, and everyday life. The enthusiasm and curiosity from our team show how committed they are to creating positive maths experiences for every student.”
Bringing the joy back into maths
Emma Bell, Director for FE and Adult Learning at MEI, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Barnsley College as part of the MEI programme. The College is investing in its maths staff to ultimately benefit students - and that’s something we’re really excited about.
This partnership isn’t about one-off training; it’s about building a lasting relationship where we can act as a critical friend and empower the team to thrive. By developing teachers’ confidence and subject knowledge, we can help bring the joy back into maths and make a real difference for learners.”
A long-term investment in maths excellence
The collaboration will run throughout the academic year, with ongoing support from MEI to help tutors share best practice and apply new approaches in the classroom.
MEI reports that around 180,000 students resit GCSE Maths each year, but pass rates remain low. Full-time students aged 16 to 18 who have not yet achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and Maths must continue studying these subjects as a condition of funding.
The partnership also complements the College’s involvement in the FE Maths Mastery Specialist Programme, led by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM). Together, these initiatives ensure Barnsley College’s maths provision continues to evolve through collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
