January 2026 Maths and Statistics Update
🎉Meet 2026: a semiprime with a prime neighbour! 🎉
Why not kick off the year with a challenge for your students: “What’s the prime story of the decade?” Explore the years 2020–2030. Which are prime, which are semiprime, and which have more than two prime factors?
As we step into January, our focus is on using what we know about each learner to plan for maximum impact. This month's update gives you the tools to gain meaningful insights and tailor your support, to help all students build confidence and strengthen the skills they need to succeed.
Choosing the right tier for GCSE Maths students is never straightforward. Heads of Department face a complex mix of factors: prior attainment, confidence levels, predicted grades, and the very real pressure of ensuring every learner has the best chance to succeed. These decisions carry weight, not just for outcomes, but for student wellbeing and future opportunities.
Borderline cases can be particularly challenging. That’s where additional insight makes all the difference. Pearson resources can help you dig deeper, offering data and tools to guide those tough calls. In this section you’ll find support to make informed decisions and prepare students effectively for the tier they’re entered for.
Grade 5 indicator questions at Higher
We've identified some key questions from June 2025 that were Grade 5 indicators. For borderline students, gain further insight by looking at performance specifically on these questions, using either the live or shadow versions.
The table above shows the performance of Higher Tier students at Grades 4, 5 and 6. All performance data is available in the Skills Maps on the Maths Emporium.
I take a look at these questions in more detail, along with some key resources and strategies to support students aiming for a secure Grade 5 at Higher Tier in our updated training video Making The Difference - Securing Grade 5 on Higher.
06 Making the difference – securing Grade 5 on Higher – Maths Emporium
Lastly, a reminder of some of the key resources available on the Maths Emporium that you can use for grade targeted interventions:
Take a look at the timeline below to see when you can expect key resources for the November series to be released.
We've made some updates to our specifications for AS Maths (8MA0) and AS Further Maths (8FM0) to add clarity and consistency with our A Level specifications.
You can find a summary of the issue changes at the start of each document.
Head over the the quals site to download the most up-to-date issues and make sure you're working from the latest version.
Level 2 EMC is now available on the Mocks Service.
Head over to our Mocks Service page to find out more!
Aiming for Grade 4 and Aiming for Grade 7 papers based on the Summer 2025 series of GCSE Statistics are now available on the Maths Emporium.
📅 Date: 20 January 2026
⏰ Time: 4 PM (GMT)
In this training event, Mel Muldowney takes a deeper dive into Data Collection and Sampling
As part of this session, you will
- explore performance from the Summer 2025 exam series
- be shown available resources and given teaching strategy ideas with a specific focus on how to make it engaging
📅 Date: 21 January 2026
⏰ Time: 4 PM (GMT)
In this training event, Jocelyn Stockbridge takes a deeper dive into Trigonometry.
The session has been designed using feedback from teachers to include extra focus on graphs and calculus, and effective teaching strategies for these topics.
The aim is to share practical ideas you can take straight back into your classroom.
📅 Date: 27 January 2026
⏰ Time: 4 PM (GMT)
The session identifies key observations related to candidate performance highlighted in the examiner report and provides strategies to help with your planning for the year ahead.
- As part of this session, you will:
look at candidate performance from the November 2025 exam series - review key observations and trends identified in the examiner reports
- explore these key observations in more detail using annotated exemplars
- discover teaching and learning strategies to address challenges identified.
📅 Date: 28 January 2026
⏰ Time: 4 PM (GMT)
Join Susan Okereke (teacher and founder of Do The Maths Thing), Lucy Chowns (Head of Maths at Pearson), and Vicky Wood (Subject advisor for Maths and Statistics at Pearson) for an insightful discussion on:
- Key takeaways from the CAR report
- How these changes impact maths teachers and schools
- Pearson’s response and next steps
- Perspectives from the maths community
Secure your place today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of maths education.
Results Day for the November 2025 exams is
8 January 2026
You can find information on all results related services, including Access to Scripts, Reviews of Marking and Appeals on our Results Support page linked below.
Results for teachers and exams officers | Pearson qualifications
Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.
As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present.
Your opinion counts. The consultation closes on 5 March 2026. Please take a look and have your say.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/regulating-on-screen-assessment
Lastly, make sure you're following us on socials to keep up to date with the latest news about our qualifications and services 👇
Please do contact us using the links below if there is anything you would like support with.
Subject advisor
Vicky Wood
Mathematics and Statistics - UK centres
Subject updates
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Latest update for BTEC Business and Enterprise teachers
A very warm welcome back to the spring term!
I hope you’ve enjoyed a refreshing break and are ready for 2026.
We're starting the new year with many important dates and training opportunities for the BTEC Tech Award. Additionally, we have new resources to support the teaching and learning of Component 3 for this qualification.
Please also note the crucial clarification on the pre-release for the BTEC National, Level 3, Unit 2 qualification.
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Edexcel A level, International A Level and International GCSE Economics