May 2017
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With Sir Adrian Smith’s review into the potential for improving the quality and increasing the scale of the study of mathematics from 16 to 18 expected to be published in due course, this seminar considered next steps for reforming maths qualifications post-16.
Delegates discussed issues including whether maths should be made compulsory for students until the age of 18 and ensuring that the future workforce has appropriate mathematical and quantitative skills. They also considered the steps that need to be taken to overcome barriers to increased provision and take-up of Mathematics post-16, including teacher supply and financial constraints, as well as the likely impact of the Government’s announcement of plans to set up specialist Maths schools and Institutes of Technology as part of its Industrial Strategy.
The implementation of the new Mathematics A-levels was also discussed, following the publication of specifications and ahead of the start of teaching in September 2017. Attendees assessed the impact of the new linear structure of the A-levels, as well as their altered emphasis and content.
Further sessions considered measures to tackle the ongoing recruitment and retention issues in maths teaching, highlighted by the AoC and TES survey and the additional demand on the profession posed by the policy of students who fail to achieve a ‘good pass’ at GCSE having to resit the exams.
