For students who love mathematics and those ready to take their thinking further

Following the growing popularity of our DofE Bronze Mathematics Skills Pathway and the positive feedback received from students, families and schools about its benefits for mathematical confidence, intellectual resilience and independent thinking, we received many requests to make the same structured mathematical experience available to a wider group of young people.

In response, we have extended this opportunity through the independent Archimedes Mathematics Skills Programme, enabling students who are not completing the DofE Skills section to benefit from the same distinctive approach to mathematical challenge and independent learning.

The programme follows the same 13-week structure, minimum weekly commitment and core approach to mathematical development as our DofE Bronze pathway, with the level of challenge adapted appropriately to each student’s age and stage.

The Archimedes Mathematics Skills Programme is an independent Archimedes Awards programme. It is not part of DofE and does not count towards completion of a DofE Skills section.

The Archimedes Mathematics Skills Programme is designed for:

• students in Year 7 and above, worldwide
• students in Years 7 and 8 who love mathematics, enjoy a challenge or wish to prepare for more advanced mathematical study and future progression to the DofE Bronze Mathematics Skills Pathway 
• students in Year 9 and above who are not completing a DofE Skills section but wish to take their mathematical ability further
• students who enjoy problem-solving, mathematical investigations, puzzles and logical challenges
• students interested in mathematics, science, technology or engineering
• students who want to strengthen their logical reasoning, mathematical communication, intellectual resilience and independent study skills
• students seeking a meaningful and academically enriching mathematical experience beyond the standard curriculum

Mathematics is more than calculation. It teaches young people how to approach unfamiliar situations, persevere when an answer is not immediately obvious and communicate their reasoning with clarity.

Students learn to concentrate deeply, remain engaged when a problem becomes difficult and continue exploring when the correct approach is not immediately clear.

Developing the confidence to persist through uncertainty is an important part of becoming a capable and independent mathematical thinker.

Just as physical training builds endurance and strength, sustained mathematical problem-solving trains the brain.

Students learn to engage with complex ideas, test different approaches and refine their thinking through focused, independent effort.

As automation and artificial intelligence become increasingly prevalent, the ability to think clearly and independently is more valuable than ever.

The programme develops reasoning and judgement, preparing students not only to use technology thoughtfully but, one day, to help shape it.

Through challenging problems and logical conundrums, students build self-discipline, analytical focus and confidence in their own thinking—skills that cannot simply be outsourced, automated or memorised.

Students discover that mathematics is not limited to following procedures or finding one predetermined method.

They learn to explore ideas, recognise patterns, test possibilities and create original problems of their own, strengthening both mathematical understanding and creative confidence.

The Archimedes Mathematics Skills Programme runs online for 13 weeks.

Students commit at least one hour each week to a varied programme of mathematical investigations, puzzles, strategic problems and creative challenges.

The programme encourages regular participation, sustained effort and genuine mathematical development - not speed, memorisation or short-term preparation for a test.

Students explore non-routine, competition-style problems involving:

• logic and reasoning
• number and algebra
• geometry and spatial thinking
• probability, risk and strategy

These challenges develop insight, perseverance and clear mathematical reasoning. Students are encouraged to show and explain how they reached their conclusions rather than than than than provide answers alone.

After submitting their work, students receive fully worked solutions to compare with their own approaches.

By examining differences in method, reasoning and presentation, students learn to recognise their strengths, identify areas for improvement and evaluate their own mathematical work with greater confidence.

This process develops valuable independent study skills and helps students take greater responsibility for their own learning.

Students design original mathematical questions and produce complete, reasoned solutions.

This deepens their understanding,,, strengthens mathematical communication and allows them to progress from problem-solvers to problem-designers.

Students capture their work, reasoning and reflections in a Digital Logic Journal.

The journal creates a meaningful record of their participation, independence, creativity and development as mathematical thinkers throughout the programme.

The programme is not designed simply to test whether students can reach a correct answer.

Students are encouraged to:

• explain their reasoning clearly
• consider more than one possible approach
• learn from mistakes and incomplete attempts
• compare their work with fully reasoned solutions
• refine the quality of their mathematical presentation
• create and communicate original mathematical ideas

This helps students develop the habits of thought required for advanced mathematical study: curiosity, precision, perseverance and intellectual independence.

At the end of the 13-week programme:

• the student’s participation, engagement and mathematical progress are reviewed by The Archimedes Awards
• On successful completion, students receive an Archimedes Awards Certificate of Achievement for the Archimedes Mathematics Skills Programme, recognising their early commitment to mathematical thinking, progress and independent learning.
• outstanding work may be considered for future Archimedes Awards student publications or mathematical showcases

The programme allows students to turn sustained mathematical effort into a meaningful achievement while creating a valuable record of their development.

£145.00 for the full 13-week programme

The programme fee covers the complete programme, including enrolment, programme delivery, weekly activities, student guidance, fully worked solutions, progress review and certification by The Archimedes Awards.

Students and families receive clear guidance throughout, providing a smooth and supportive experience from enrolment to completion.

 We offer one programme intake each month. 

Give your child the opportunity to turn a love of mathematics into a recognised achievement while developing the confidence, resilience and independent thinking needed for future study.