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Remember the thrill of grasping a new concept in math class? That spark of understanding can ignite a lifelong passion. But what happens when naturally gifted math students aren't challenged enough? Enter the concept of 'Top Top Sets,' a system designed to nurture mathematical excellence in young minds.
Let's face it, traditional top sets, while well-intentioned, often struggle to cater to the full spectrum of abilities within that top 25%. The pace is often dictated by the students who need a little more support, leaving the truly gifted feeling like they're stuck in a holding pattern.
Imagine a classroom where these bright sparks are grouped together, encouraged to push their boundaries, and delve deeper into the fascinating world of mathematics. That's the essence of Top Top Sets.
Simon Singh, renowned science communicator and author, is championing this approach. Having witnessed firsthand the limitations of traditional math education, Singh is passionate about providing opportunities for good math students to become truly exceptional.
"In the non-selective state school system, it's almost impossible to become excellent at maths," Singh observes. "GCSE maths is kind of a walk in the park if you're great at math... We need to get these kids, preferably when they're quite young, and if they've mastered everything at primary, we need to stretch them and stretch them and show them interesting, fascinating maths and prepare them for what they could do later in life."
The results from Singh's pilot program, currently running in 13 schools, are promising. Students in Top Top Sets are demonstrating significant improvement in their mathematical abilities, as evidenced by their performance in national math challenges.
"Our four schools doubled the number of certificates they're getting in the Junior Math Challenge," Singh shares. "So they're getting twice as many kids being excellent at maths, and so I think we're making a step change."
But Top Top Sets are about more than just acing exams. They're about fostering a love for math, encouraging collaboration, and building the problem-solving skills that are essential for success in STEM fields and beyond.
Singh's initiative also addresses a critical gap in math education – the need for consistent, high-quality mentoring. While students passionate about history or English can often find support within their families or through readily available resources, math often requires a more structured approach.
"Maths needs mentoring, it needs that guidance," Singh emphasizes. "You and I can read the same Shakespeare book, and a load of it will go over my head, and you may appreciate it in a much deeper, more meaningful way, but we can look at that same book and read it at the same rate. If we look at a calculus book, then that's not going to work."
To further support students in Top Top Sets, Singh has developed 'Parallel,' a free weekly math challenge designed to stretch young minds. Available to anyone, Parallel provides an extra dose of engaging math problems, videos, and articles, making it an invaluable resource for parents and educators alike.
"If you teach in a school that doesn't have a Top Top Set, but you've obviously got kids who are strong and you want to stretch them, then this is a really easy way to do it," Singh explains. "They can just sign up, they can do it, they get a solutions sheet when they complete it, and I think it's it's it's challenging, but it's also fun."
The Top Top Set approach is not without its critics, with some raising concerns about elitism and practicality. However, Singh maintains that the program is designed to benefit all students by raising the overall standard of math education.
"Every school I've come across has said we want to do the best for all of our students," Singh notes. "If this student's musically gifted, we want that student to excel. If this student's struggling with their science, we want them to become scientifically more confident. But if this kid's got a maths bug, we want to stretch it as far as it'll go."
As Singh's initiative gathers momentum and more data becomes available, it will be interesting to see how Top Top Sets impact the mathematical landscape in the UK. If successful, this approach could pave the way for a new generation of confident, highly skilled mathematicians ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
To learn more about Top Top Sets and the Parallel math challenge, visit https://parallel.org.uk/.
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