Parallel Maths Academy?

[LeafInSoup]

DS did the Junior maths challenge, did well and has been invited to join something called "The Parallel Academy".

He finds maths fairly easy, but I wouldn't say he absolutely loves maths. I saw you have to have a 1h online test, then an interview! And then it's weekly online sessions with 1h homework. I can already imagine his reaction to voluntarily sighing up to 1h extra homework a week, he won't be keen.

The letter made a massive deal about what a big opportunity this is, to help build the STEM leaders of the future.

But it all seems quite a lot for an 11 year old who isn't sure where his passion lies yet, plus the online classes are giving me flashbacks of covid. The last thing I really want is him spending more time in front of a screen.

So I'm thinking I'm not going to push it with him if he's really not interested.

But part of me is worrying I should be pushing him as who know where it will lead. But then again it could put him off maths for life if he associates it with being forced to do things you don't want to...

What would you do?
I've decided I'm definitely not a Tiger parent.

It is something you pay for?

Ah no, good point. No it's all free

Who funds it?

parallel.org.uk/

It is all very bizarre. I would give a wide berth personally

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this thread, but calling the whole thing bizarre was not one of them!
What is bizarre about a maths expert starting a charity to help encourage kids with a passion for maths?

My DD did this for a while. It’s a free programme - homework doesn’t really last an hour more like 20 minutes - you have to do a ‘parallel’ each week. They are quite strict on attendance and also contributing to sessions. If they enjoy maths and are happy to be stretched then it’s a good opportunity and it certainly made DD think. DD gave it up after a couple of terms as she enjoys Maths but didn’t want the extra stress.

But they have a new intake each year so if you don’t want to do it this year, you can always rethink next year. DD did it in year 10 for a bit.

My sons been involved in this for about 3 years. It's been great for him as it's maths that is not taught in schools and is stretching him nicely. You could try one of the parallel circles to get an idea of the maths taught although these are webinar type sessions. The academy is small interactive groups of similar age/ability kids. Parallel have been great and very supportive of my son recently whilst we wait for a diagnosis for him.

One of mine has been on this for the last two years almost and I would recommend it. Her school put her forward for the entrance test. She enjoys the sessions (she isn't a huge maths lover generally, but she's quite good at it). Agree homework doesn't take an hour, but it is expected to be done. The homework is very different to school (where they do Sparx) much more problem solving (often there is a fun video clip from a movie or something) and an expectation that you should aim to get 50% correct (with Sparx she has to get 100% but she finds Sparx repetitive and boring). They also expect all sessions to be attended, daughter couldn't make one due to a theatre trip and they enrolled her on a catch up session. You do have a choice of sessions when booking opens each term (handy because my daughter trains in her sport for around 8-10 hours per week, plus does other clubs so is out a lot).
Parallel also do have some non-academy stuff you can do if you don't get into the academy and that's free for all. I would suggest asking your son if he wants to try and if he hates it after a term he can give up. My daughter's passions have historically been sport and art, though she is academic (and qualified for jmc Olympiad this year) and I do think this program has got her more interested in maths.
They have a test at the end of each term and if you aren't keeping up and/or your attendance is poor they may rescind your place. You also have the opportunity to drop out each term I think so you aren't really committing to a whole year.

Thank you very much for your experiences, that is interesting. Certainly given me much more idea of what it all entails.

The think about maths is that it gets more interesting and worth doing, the more that you know. If son is not that bothered about maths. I’d say give this a go. It might ignite a spark of greater interest and he might learn to love maths.

Freudian typo!…. Thing.

Yeah, if he enjoys maths but you're not up for the academy, try parallel circles and the weekly parallelograms (problem sheets) - no obligation, you can dip in / out as you see fit. They're aimed at different age groups, so if he finds one too hard / easy, you can adjust. If your kid likes maths and doesn't have an in-school maths circle to provide this type of challenge and community, it's a great alternative.

DS has been doing this for a year. He absolutely loves maths though, so has thoroughly enjoyed it.
in your shoes, I’d get dc to try it out; he might really enjoy it!

Thanks for all the info on here. My daughters have just been invited to the interview stage (not all the invites have gone out yet), after having done the tests. Really appreciate the inside info! Their school has said they can ditch Sparx homework if they get in, so that might be a good option. Thanks again!

@LeafInSoup Parallel was set up by the popular science writer Simon Singh, and it's aimed at children who love maths and want to go much further than the curriculum. It's the sort of problem solving that will stand them in good stead if they are destined to do maths at Oxbridge ... but definitely not for kids who aren't self-motivated to attend.

I don't know if it's still the same, but it used to be quite heavily selective towards groups that were deemed to be under-represented in maths at Oxbridge. My DC (white, male, state school, leafy suburb) was initially selected but then didn't make it through to the next stage whereas his friend (Asian, male, same state school and suburb) scored similar and did make it through but sadly soon dropped out as he wasn't interested.