Just recently, a programme was introduced to The Berkeley Institute by the name of Maths Springboard, a programme created by the Bermuda Education Network, who partnered with some of the Island's financial groups to offer another form of work experience to The Berkeley Institute students. Companies that played a major role included Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd, Hiscox Bermuda, Platinum Underwriters, Allied World Assurance Company Ltd, Ernst & Young, Orbis Investment Management, Aon and Jupiter Asset Management.

The main focus of this programme was to expose students to a variety of Math-related jobs as well as to provide experience for Math-related professions for about two weeks. From July 12 to 23, the students spent mornings at their designated company. They had an hour lunch-break followed by administrative tasks. Each student was expected to apply Mathematics concepts to the financial profession in which they were working. Every student had a mentor who would have conversations with them and help them to choose a math related project that they would have to present at the end of the programme.

I had the privilege of interviewing one of the Berkeley participants, Tabia Butterfield. While in discussion with her I became more familiar with the programme and began to understand how this programme would aid her in her Math GCSE.

Tabia explained how she got involved with the Maths Springboard programme, stating she heard about it in a school assembly and all S2 students were encouraged to sign up. She said that the programme involved a summer internship and preparation to do her mathematics GCSE in November instead of June. She elaborated on the process and explained that she had to go to Math lessons during the summer, once a week after school and some Saturdays to prepare for the GCSE exam. Tabia explained that she had to do an internship at two companies. She had the privilege of having three remarkable mentors, Lovely Cusi and Michael Toyer, both auditors from Ernst and Young, and an actuary mentor, Louise Legg from Platinum Re.

Tabia said, "This programme was of great assistance to me because I learned how to apply actual mathematical practices to the working world."

Some of the jobs she was exposed to included underwriting, catastrophe modelling and actuarial science. She said: "While working, I had to make calculations and create balance sheets using Excel." When the session came to a close she told me how the programme as a whole made an impact on her life. She stated, "The atmosphere was like a family setting. I learned about the working environment and careers in the reinsurance industry and I recognised the importance of reinsurance in Bermuda."

Eleven students from The Berkeley Institute and one from CedarBridge Academy participated in the programme: Jirani Welch, Tabia Butterfield, Jarrett Carlington, Olivia Onyia, Shaena Simons, Shantela Looby, Patricia Morris, Patience Lowe, Delijah Symonds, Tomisha Goater and Simeon Edwards from Berkeley. Chantal Stowe from CedarBridge participated in part of the programme.

In conclusion, the GCSEs that these students were preparing for were quite important. As of September 2010 the Cambridge system was introduced to The Berkeley Institute as well as the CedarBridge Academy. This programme has made it mandatory for students to pass GCSE examinations in at least three subjects, including Math, English and Science. In relation to the name of the programme, due to the classes over the summer, these students were actually getting a springboard to take their Math GCSE exam six months earlier than usual.