Mathematics key facts and case study

Key facts about the mathematics enhancement course

Case study

For Simon English, 40, redundancy meant a change of direction. A maths enhancement course at Liverpool Hope University showed him the way – and led to his first teaching post.

'I'd just finished a degree in business studies and IT and I’d been doing some training for my employer. That got me thinking about mainstream education. My degree included some maths but I knew I’d need more, so I had a look online and found out about the enhancement course.

‘The course felt right from day one. It was challenging, but the higher the level the more interesting it got – and the tutors were fantastic. I'd like to get that enthusiasm and love for the subject across in my own teaching.

'I stayed on at Hope for my PGCE. The enhancement course gave me a real head start. My knowledge was fresh, and I'd seen a lot of good teaching in action. A degree gives you deep knowledge, but it can be narrow. An enhancement course teaches you the stuff you really need to know in the classroom. At the end of my first placement, the school offered me a job starting in July – so I'm getting paid over the summer!

'I'm convinced I got the job because of the enhancement course. Some people worried that we’d find it harder to get work, but I was the first person on the PGCE to get a job. My advice to anyone starting an enhancement course would be to put as much into it as you can. And if you're struggling, just ask: the lecturers really want you to succeed.'