Maths Coaching Pilot | Axiom Maths

About the programme

Talent is widely distributed. Opportunity is not.
The Maths Coaching Pilot finds and supports extraordinary mathematical potential early, so circumstance never gets in the way of who goes furthest.

In the UK, we celebrate elite pathways in other fields. We do not expect a world-class violinist without a conservatoire, or a Premier League footballer without an academy. Yet we have no comparable pathway for mathematics. Too often, brilliance is left to chance – especially for pupils without strong support at home or school.

Key facts

Target cohort	The best mathematicians in the country
Entry points	Year 5 and Year 8
Coach ratio	1 coach to 20 pupils
Pilot year	October 2026 - October 2027

Our approach

Maths Coaching, nurturing curiosity and deep problem solving.

Every pupil is paired with a dedicated coach who gets to know how they think – and challenges them accordingly. Sessions are not about drilling techniques or covering the next topic. Instead, pupils work through rich, unfamiliar problems that require real thought: problems where there is no obvious method, where dead ends are part of the process, and where persistence matters as much as intuition.

Coaches respond to the pupil’s curiosity, making space for exploration and questions that go far beyond anything the school curriculum touches. The goal is to build genuine mathematical confidence – the kind that comes from wrestling with hard problems and coming out the other side. This approach is rooted in the Russian Maths Circle tradition, which has produced some of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th and 21st centuries by prioritising deep problem-solving over rapid curriculum coverage.

Acceleration that matches ability, not age

Where pupils are ready, we move them forward into advanced courses and harder material that matches what they can do, not how old they are. Fifty years of US longitudinal research from the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) suggest that a combination of acceleration and enrichment is a strong predictor of high-level STEM achievement and adult creative breakthroughs for high-potential pupils.

Wraparound support that removes barriers

Academic stretch alone is not enough. Our pupils are advocated for, are part of a community, and receive practical support alongside their mathematical development – so that nothing gets in the way of how far they can go. This approach is drawn from National Math Stars, which showed that exceptionally gifted students from underrepresented backgrounds thrive when challenge and support go hand in hand.

Two entry points - no talent left behind

Pupils from the lowest socioeconomic backgrounds are far less likely to reach high-level study: around 0.2% progress to PhDs versus 3% from the most advantaged schools. These gaps are entrenched by age 11 and largely fixed by GCSE.

Year 5 entry

We begin trying to find pupils in primary school because early identification shapes trajectories before they harden.

Year 8 entry

Not all high-potential pupils can be reliably identified by Year 5. A second entry point ensures genuine mathematical talent that emerges later is found and supported.

The Maths Coach

Every pupil and their family has one Maths Coach who sits at the heart of our programme. They bring together academic stretch, support and advocacy so our pupils can reach their potential.

Coaches deliver six supporting activities:

Maths mentoring - Regular one-to-one or small-group sessions on rich, unfamiliar problems, nurturing pupils' curiosity.
Acceleration - Access to advanced courses to match ability, not age.
Family advocacy - Guiding families through every key decision and transition.
Broadening horizons - Exposure to live frontier mathematics and real-world applications.
Community and belonging - A peer tribe of like-minded mathematicians to reduce isolation.
Removing practical barriers - Targeted financial and logistical support so cost is never a barrier.

The pilot

We will begin working with pupils from the October 2026 half-term break. In the first year of the pilot, we will work directly with pupils to start delivering the programme. This means getting coaches in front of pupils, building strong relationships with families, and starting to understand what exceptional mathematical support looks like in practice.

Who we are

Gabriel Gendler Yom-Tov: Co-founder and Director of Mathematical Programmes: Gabriel represented the UK in international maths competitions as a child, winning two silver medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad and scoring highest in his cohort nationally for two consecutive years. After completing his PhD in pure maths, he has worked on programmes for gifted pupils including summer camps and online maths enrichment. He has taught at leading universities in the UK and coached the British maths team.

Naomi Burley-Baker: Co-founder and Director: Naomi spent her early career working on, and then leading, an intervention programme to ensure pupils from less represented backgrounds got into the best universities in the country. More recently, she built and led the partnerships team at Axiom Maths, increasing the number of schools they partnered with from 100 to 700, codifying and professionalising their programme, and building a successful national team.

My child has been invited to a discovery day

Congratulations - your child has shown exceptional mathematical potential and we'd love to meet them.

Discovery days are being held across the country during August, with morning and afternoon slots available. They are not high-pressure exams. They are a relaxed couple of hours where your child will explore some maths problems, meet the team, and get a taste of what the programme involves. It is also a chance for us to learn more about your child and assess whether this is the right programme for them.

You are very welcome to attend alongside your child.

What happens on the day?

Your child will work through some open-ended problems and spend time with the programme team. There is no set test format - we want to see how your child thinks and what excites them about maths.

What happens after?

Final offers are made in September, with the programme beginning at October half term 2026. If your child is selected, they will be matched with a dedicated Maths Coach for weekly one-to-one or paired sessions, and you will receive regular check-ins from their coach throughout the year.

How do I register?

You will be invited to register your interest via email. Please be on the lookout for this, or get in touch with us if you are concerned you have not received it.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this for?

The Maths Coaching Pilot is for pupils who will be in Year 5 and Year 8 in academic year 2026-27 and who have shown exceptional mathematical potential. We are particularly keen to work with pupils who may not already have access to significant enrichment support.

How many places are there?

100 places in total. This is intentional – keeping the cohort small means every pupil receives genuinely personalised support from their coach.

Is there a cost?

No. The programme is completely free. No fees, no hidden costs. Each pupil also receives a personal enrichment budget to spend on books, competitions, camps, and experiences.

How much time does it involve?

One session per week with your Maths Coach (typically one-to-one or in a pair). Families should also expect check-in calls from the coach, arranged at a time that suits you. Pupils will also be enrolled in acceleration classes. The coach will work with families and pupils to assess the level of support that is right for them.

What happens at the discovery day?

Discovery days run during the summer holidays in morning and afternoon slots. They are a chance to meet the team, get a taste of what the programme involves, and for us to learn more about your child.

When does the programme start?

October half term 2026.

What if my child already does a lot of maths outside school?

The programme is designed to sit alongside, not replace, anything your child is already doing. The coach will take into account everything they are already engaged with and build from there.

Who are the Maths Coaches?

Our coaches are carefully selected mathematicians with strong academic backgrounds and experience working with young people. Each coach is trained and supported by the programme leads throughout the year.

Who runs this?

The Maths Coaching Pilot is incubated by Axiom Maths and co-led by Naomi Burley-Baker (former School Partnerships Director for Axiom Maths) and Dr Gabriel Gendler Yom-Tov, a former International Mathematical Olympiad medallist.

Who is Axiom Maths?

Axiom Maths is a maths education charity that partners with schools and other organisations to run maths circles, helping every child with the heart and head for maths realise the potential of their power. Find out more at axiommaths.com. They are currently partnered with 750+ schools and work with more than 13,000 pupils.

How long is the programme?

This is a pilot and we currently have funding to run a year-long programme. If successful, we will be applying for multi-year funding to ensure we can commit to your child for the entirety of their journey.

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