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Tom Button

@tombutton.bsky.social
1.3K followers 330 following 692 posts

Director for Data Science and Mathematics Technology at MEI - interested in using technology for learning maths, #ALevelMaths and #DataScienceEd - all views are my own or someone else's

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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 22h
Curious about our Further Mathematics Conference? Explore resources from previous years to see the ideas, activities and approaches covered – and get a flavour of what you could take back to the classroom: buff.ly/czRYa5M #FurtherMaths
A graphic promoting Further Mathematics Conferences. A large navy circular shape fills the left side, edged with curved yellow, white and red lines, with white text reading “Further Mathematics Conferences”. On the right, a white background contains dark blue text reading “Multiple UK locations” and “November 2026”, surrounded by pale cream circles of different sizes. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom left hand corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
📍 Learn alongside fellow teachers at a study day in Birmingham, London or Manchester. Our Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI blended course includes 4 online sessions, 1 study day and a £350 subsidy for eligible participants. Starts 14 Oct. buff.ly/JfrD5bI #AlevelMaths #MathsPD
Promotional graphic for an AMSP course. On the left, two people are working together over documents in a classroom or educational setting. Curved bands in AMSP brand colours separate the photograph from the text area. On the right, the text reads: “Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A Level Mathematics Classroom – Blended” and “Starts 14 October”. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-right corner, with decorative yellow circular graphic elements in the lower-left corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Giles @gdeejay.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Okay, here's my attempt to lay out my answer to whether it's worth learning to program in the age of #AI #rstats
gilesd-j.com
X Reasons for policy professionals to get into programming in 202X - Giles
In 2019 I wrote a post with seven reasons policy professionals should learn to code. Now that AI can write reasonable code, I’ve had a number of people ask me if it’s still worth learning to program. ...
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
What can we learn from the PISA 2025 results beyond the headline rankings? MEI’s Chief Learning Officer, Jen Shearman, explores what the findings reveal about mathematical literacy, participation and equity, and what they could mean for the future of maths education. 🔗 buff.ly/uOuhYZm
buff.ly
PISA as a pivot in maths education
PISA 2025 highlights strong UK maths performance, but reveals persistent inequalities in attainment and participation. What could this mean for maths education?
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Further Mathematics Conference is back for 2026! 📍 Manchester - 24 Nov 📍 London - 27/28 Nov A day of ideas, practical approaches and learning, from vectors and TMUA to machine learning. buff.ly/bIcOW1X #FurtherMaths
A person in an orange knitted jumper sits at a table holding a pen, with one hand resting beneath the chin. Two people are out of focus in the bright indoor background. Yellow circular graphics appear in the lower-left corner, while curved yellow, white, red and navy bands divide the photograph from a white panel on the right. Dark blue text reads “Further Mathematics Conferences”, followed by “Manchester - 24 Nov”, “London - 27 Nov” and “London - 28 Nov”. The AMSP logo, featuring overlapping yellow, red, navy and grey circular shapes, appears in the bottom-right corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
💻 Explore data using Desmos and Python while developing activities and approaches you can take straight back to the classroom. Join our blended bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI course for A level Mathematics teachers. buff.ly/JfrD5bI #MathsIntoAI #MathsPD
A promotional graphic for an AMSP course. On the left, several students and an adult are gathered around computers in a classroom setting. On the right, the text reads: "Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Mathematics Classroom - Blended" and "Starts 14 October". The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-right corner, with curved AMSP brand colours separating the photo and text sections.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Hannah @neechmaths.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In #MathsToday Yr 2 #AlevelMaths explored modulus functions using this MEI desmos activity. Some good discussions were had and they surprised themselves with how much they could work out. When the lesson ended and they hadn’t quite finished a student told me it was fun and he didn’t want to stop 😀
mei.org.uk
Integrate Desmos into your A level Mathematics Scheme of Work - MEI
Desmos tasks designed to help students understand mathematical relationships better through exploring dynamic constructions.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Find out about how you can integrate ideas about machine learning and AI into your #ALevelMaths teaching - our course for teachers is running again this term ... and there's a £350 bursary for attending the study day ↓↓↓↓↓
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Reposted by Tom Button
Ben Sparks @sparksmaths.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Once again, time to check what you think AI means. For clarity, and although the article never gets round to saying it, I bet this is *NOT* someone asking Chat-GPT "is this a milk bottle?". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
AI helps recycle old milk bottles into new plastic packaging
AI identifies crushed plastic milk bottles at Redcar plant, helping turn waste into new packaging.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Ben Sparks @sparksmaths.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
If you'd actually like to know more, teachers and students can sign up for "Maths into AI" courses from @meimaths.bsky.social to learn about 'machine learning' and other AI aspects. amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
amsp.org.uk
Maths into AI Programme - AMSP
Helping students and teachers understand how maths underpins data science, machine learning and AI, and where it can lead.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Hannah @neechmaths.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Following on from some recent discussions on here and as I am teaching it next week, please tell me what are your favourite desmos (or similar) activities for teaching combinations of transformations? #Alevelmaths
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Reposted by Tom Button
Big MathsJam @bigmathsjam.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The MathsJam Jam is a rousing singalong to mathematical covers of well-known songs. Anyone can submit lyrics - find out how at www.mathsjam.com/gat...
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Reposted by Tom Button
The Maths Bazaar @themathsbazaar.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
for combined transformations like f(3x+2) and |3x+2| what's your favourite answer to "do we stretch first or translate first?"
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
📊 From data analysis to predictive modelling, discover how familiar A level Mathematics concepts connect to machine learning and AI. 4 online sessions + 1 study day. Starts 14 Oct. buff.ly/JfrD5bI #MathsPD #AlevelMaths
Promotional graphic for an AMSP course. A group of students are seated around tables in a classroom, working with notebooks and study materials. The photograph is framed by curved AMSP brand-colour rings on the left side of the graphic. On the right, the text reads: “Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A Level Mathematics Classroom – Blended” and “Starts 14 October 2026”. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-left corner, with decorative circular design elements across the light grey background.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Ben Sparks @sparksmaths.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
MEI & AMSP are running a "Maths into AI" course specially for students *not* studying A level Maths. Perfect for Core Maths, Economics, Statistics & Comp. Sci. students. Intros to Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI. Get more details and sign up here: amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
An advert for the Maths into Data Science and AI course from MEI and AMSP, with a picture of a teacher smiling while working with a class.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
#ALevelMaths
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🧠 What do machine learning, data science and AI have in common? They're all built on mathematics and statistics. Help students explore those connections through Python coding and real-world datasets with the AMSP’s free online courses. buff.ly/ETFGqmP #DataScience
A classroom scene showing several students seated at desks while a teacher stands at the front beside a computer and whiteboard. Text on the right reads, “Maths into Data Science and AI for Mathematics students” with “Courses start 28 and 29 September” below. The design features AMSP branding, including curved red, white, blue and gold graphic elements and the AMSP logo in the bottom-right corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the #ALevelMaths classroom' PD course is open for booking Learn about how to integrate data science ideas into your teaching 4 online sessions and a study day - starts 14 Oct … … and there's a £350 bursary amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter talking to a group of teachersA laptop showing a set of box plot
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the #ALevelMaths classroom' PD course is open for booking Learn about how to integrate data science ideas into your teaching 4 online sessions and a study day - starts 14 Oct … … and there's a £350 bursary amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter talking to a group of teachersA laptop showing a set of box plot
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Reposted by Tom Button
Ellie Sleightholm @elliesleightholm.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Is mathematics in a crisis? I’m putting together a series on “Mathematics in the age of AI” and I can’t put into words the journey I’ve been on so far. There’s so much more to come.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
If you know students studying Core Maths, A level Computer Science or A level Statistics that are interested in AI then this course is ideal. Please pass it on to anyone that you know that teaches Computer Science too. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
💻 Have students interested in AI who aren’t studying A level Maths? Maths into Data Science and AI gives the opportunity to explore machine learning, data science and Python through real-world datasets and activities. Starts 29 Sept buff.ly/ETFGqmP #MathsIntoAI
Two students seated at a classroom table with open laptops, notebooks and study materials. Large text on the right reads, “Maths into Data Science and AI for students not studying A Level Mathematics” with “Starts 29 September” below. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-right corner, with red, blue and yellow curved graphic elements separating the photo and text.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I saw this graph from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com on LinkedIn (posted without credit but the FT styling was a giveaway!). A really interesting chart to discuss in #AlevelMaths, Core Maths or Data Science lessons.
Plot of life expectancy vs income for England and US from @jburnmurdoch at the FT
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Any other #ALevelMaths teachers also teach #ALevelStats?
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Reposted by Tom Button
mrmunro.bsky.social @mrmunro.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This year we are launching A Level statistics. Reaching out to anyone who has delivered this already? #AlevelStats Appreciate a retweet to reach more people 🙏🏽
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Reposted by Tom Button
Natalie Vernon @natalievmei.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A Level Further Mathematics 📍 Teaching Further Mathematics 1 (Birmingham) amsp.org.uk/teachers/ext... 📍 Teaching Discrete Mathematics (London) amsp.org.uk/events/teach...
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Reposted by Tom Button
Natalie Vernon @natalievmei.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A Level Mathematics 📍 Teaching Statistics 1 (Leeds & London) amsp.org.uk/teachers/ext... 📍 Teaching Mechanics 1 (Manchester & London) amsp.org.uk/teachers/ext... 📍 Teaching A Level Mathematics (Manchester & York) amsp.org.uk/teachers/ext...
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Reposted by Tom Button
Natalie Vernon @natalievmei.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Are you teaching #ALevelMaths or #ALevelFurtherMaths this year?? We still have a few places on our fully funded longer-term CPD courses with study days around the country. If you are in Leeds I'll be there this year talking statistics! 🤩 Full details: amsp.org.uk/teachers/extended-pd-courses/
amsp.org.uk
Extended Professional Development Programme - AMSP
Extended professional development courses for AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics teachers.
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
🧠 Students interact with AI every day. Teach them the maths behind it. Our blended course helps A level Maths teachers connect machine learning and AI to familiar curriculum content through practical activities, Desmos and Python. Starts 14 Oct buff.ly/JfrD5bI #AlevelMaths
Promotional graphic for an AMSP course. A photograph on the left shows two students working together at a table with a tablet device in a classroom setting. The image is framed by curved AMSP brand-colour rings. On the right, the text reads: “Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A Level Mathematics Classroom – Blended” and “Starts 14 October 2026”. A light grey background with circular design elements appears behind the text, and the AMSP logo is shown in the bottom-left corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Roland Pease @peaseroland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Very readable account of the Navier-Stokes equations, the Millennium Prize and the AI spat that's making the maths headlines. www.quantamagazine.org/ai-has-solve...
quantamagazine.org
AI Has Solved One of Math’s $1 Million Millennium Prize Problems | Quanta Magazine
Mathematicians at OpenAI showed that the Navier-Stokes equations, which describe how fluids flow, can sometimes “blow up.” But the massive result is not without controversy.
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Richard Elwes @richardelwes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Congratulations to @alexbellos.bsky.social deserving winner of the 2026 Christopher Zeeman medal for the communication of mathematics! ima.org.uk/29984/alex-b...
ima.org.uk
Alex Bellos Is Awarded the 2026 Christopher Zeeman Medal
The London Mathematical Society (LMS) and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) are delighted to announce that Alex Bellos has been
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Reposted by Tom Button
Nathan Day @nathanday.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
In #MathsToday, I had my first after-school lesson with Year 10 Level 2 Further Maths. We looked at some different problems that just happened have some Pascal's triangle under the surface. Then explored how you can interpret each problem either recursively or combinatorially.
A selection of problems related to Pascal's triangle.
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Teaching A level Maths or Further Maths? Give your students the chance to explore the mathematics behind machine learning and AI through Python coding and real-world datasets on our Maths into Data Science and AI course. Starts 28 Sept Teachers can register students: buff.ly/ETFGqmP #AlevelMaths
Promotional graphic for an AMSP course. On the left, a classroom scene shows students seated at desks while a teacher stands at the front beside a computer and whiteboard. Curved red, gold and navy graphic bands separate the classroom photo from a light grey panel on the right. Text reads: “Maths into Data Science and AI for A level Mathematics students” and “Starts 28 September”. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom right corner, with decorative gold circles in the lower left.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
AMSP's 'Maths into Data Science and AI' 11-week free online course is also available for students not taking A level Mathematics. If you've got students taking A level Computer Science or Core Maths this version is ideal. You can sign up your students now at: amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A data scientist pointing at a screen
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Reposted by Tom Button
Desmos Studio @desmos.com · 02/09/2026
Add a new level of interactivity to your Desmos notebook using actions and buttons. What question should we answer next? #mathsky #iteachmath
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
#ALevelMaths
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧠 AI is everywhere, but how many students understand the maths behind it? Maths into Data Science and AI helps students explore machine learning, Python coding and real-world data through two free online pathways. Starting 28 & 29 Sept. buff.ly/ETFGqmP #MathsIntoAI
A promotional graphic for AMSP courses. On the left, a classroom scene shows students seated at desks with laptops, pencils and notes. Curved red, white, navy and yellow graphic bands separate the photograph from the text. On the right, navy text reads: “Maths into Data Science and AI for Mathematics students”. Below, smaller text reads: “Courses start 28 and 29 September”. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-right corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP Maths into Data Science and AI courses for #ALevelMaths and non-A level Maths students are now open for booking for the autumn term. You can apply now for your students at: A level - amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat... Non A level - amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A data scientist pointing at a graph on a screen
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Reposted by Tom Button
Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Mathematics classroom' PD course is now open for booking for the autumn term 4 online sessions and a study day in London, Birmingham or Manchester (and there's a £350 bursary for attending!) amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter in front of a screenTeachers at a professional development day
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Mathematics classroom' PD course is now open for booking for the autumn term 4 online sessions and a study day in London, Birmingham or Manchester (and there's a £350 bursary for attending!) amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter in front of a screenTeachers at a professional development day
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP Maths into Data Science and AI courses for #ALevelMaths and non-A level Maths students are now open for booking for the autumn term. You can apply now for your students at: A level - amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat... Non A level - amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A data scientist pointing at a graph on a screen
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Want space to reflect, share ideas, and build confidence in your Core Maths teaching? Our Core Maths Specification Networks start soon – online, and tailored to your syllabus. Register now: buff.ly/OTtCQYw #CoreMaths #MathsCPD #Post16Maths
Promotional banner for Core Maths Specification Networks. On the left, a classroom scene shows a teacher standing in front of a blackboard covered with scientific formulas, equations, and diagrams while addressing seated students. Curved yellow, red, white, and dark blue graphic bands frame the classroom image, with yellow circular design elements in the bottom-left corner. On the right, against a light grey background, large dark blue text reads “Core Maths Specification Networks” and “Starting from October.” Below are the logos for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, with the AMSP logo in the bottom-right corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A small number of places have become available on our New to Teaching A level Mathematics Summer School. Build confidence in teaching pure maths, mechanics and statistics alongside fellow teachers. 🔗 buff.ly/nc6yhwc #ALevelMaths #MathsTeachers
Promotional graphic for the AMSP New to Teaching A Level Mathematics Summer School. On the left, three people wearing lanyards collaborate around a table, reviewing papers and notebooks in a classroom or office setting. The photo is framed by curved red and orange accent lines. On the right, large text reads “New to Teaching A level Mathematics Summer School” with “Starts 17 August 2026” below. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-left corner against a light grey background with pale circular patterns.
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Good round off to all this from the great @ciaranm.bsky.social - don’t get too worked up about this; many of the biggest cyber threats right now may not be AI agents; and yes let’s focus on the liability of the owners. Nicely echoes some of the points in the thread above substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
Control. Ownership. Perspective.
Three lessons from the latest AI cyber security testing problems
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This is a fantastic course for anyone teaching the statistics part of A level Maths ↓↓↓
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Teaching statistics in A level Maths 2026/27? Set yourself up for success, with sustained professional development from the experts. Teaching Statistics 1 starts 15 Sep. Online sessions and study days in Leeds or London. Book now: buff.ly/Otn2IJk #Statistics #MathsCPD
Promotional course graphic for “Teaching Statistics 1 (TS1)”. The left side features a classroom or training-room setting with a teacher leaning over a table, writing or pointing at documents and study materials. Curved bands in yellow, white, red, and dark blue separate the photo from the text area. On the right, dark blue text reads: “Teaching Statistics 1 (TS1)” and “Starting 15 September 2026.” Yellow decorative circles appear in the bottom-left corner, and the amsp logo is displayed in the bottom-right corner.
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Reposted by Tom Button
MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Teaching Further Mathematics in 2026/27? Start the year with confidence. TFM1 begins 8 Sep, combining online sessions with study days in London or Birmingham. Book your place: buff.ly/dWGQnib #FurtherMaths #MathsCPD
Promotional course graphic for “Teaching A level Further Mathematics 1 (TFM1)”. The left side shows a classroom scene with several students and a teacher seated around a table with notebooks and study materials. Curved bands in yellow, white, red, and dark blue separate the photo from the text area. On the right, dark blue text reads: “Teaching A level Further Mathematics 1 (TFM1)” and “Starting 8 September 2026”. The AMSP logo appears in the bottom-right corner, with yellow decorative circles in the bottom-left corner.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
All the branching threads from this are worth reading! #ALevelMaths
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Tim Harford @timharford.ft.com · 15/07/2026
Explain it to me like I'm 10 as.ft.com/r/d0083cc6-0...
as.ft.com
Explain it to me like I’m 10
Simplifying how we explain complex concepts can lead to surprising benefits
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MEI @meimaths.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Enhance your teaching of AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics. Explore key topics including hidden quadratics, trigonometry, matrices and calculus, with pedagogy woven throughout. 🗓 8 sessions starting Tue 6 Oct (17:00) 🔗 Book your place: buff.ly/NdYagct #AQAL2FurtherMaths
A promotional graphic with a split layout. The left side features a dark navy background with curved bands in navy, white, red and yellow sweeping diagonally across the centre, along with yellow circular accents clustered in the bottom left corner. The right side has a light grey background with large dark blue text reading “Subject Knowledge Live Topics and pedagogy for AQA L2 FM.” The AMSP logo appears in the bottom right corner.
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