The Government is to make more funding available for the teaching of maths post-GCSE
I have welcomed an announcement by Schools Minister Nick Gibb and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Elizabeth Truss of a new fund to help schools and colleges increase the number of students studying maths after GCSE.
Last week it was announced that the Advanced Maths Premium is being introduced to encourage more pupils to take the subject further. Data has shown that pupils who do well in maths at school earn higher wages, with men seeing a premium of 12.5% and women as much as a 23.9% increase. The Advanced Maths Premium will support schools and colleges to increase the number of girls, as well as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, taking advanced maths qualifications. The premium is worth £600 and equivalent to 15% of the base funding per student.
From September 2018, schools and colleges will receive an extra £600 premium for each additional pupil taking the one-year AS maths or the Core Maths qualification. This could mean £1,200 for each additional pupil who takes the two-year A level in maths or further maths. While maths continues to be the most popular subject at A level, with almost 25% of pupils choosing to study it, there are almost three quarters of students with an A*-C in GCSE maths at age 16 who decide not to continue studying the subject.
I was chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Financial Education until last year and I campaigned for better provision of maths and financial literacy in schools and colleges. This new funding will help pupils in Fareham and across the country get the best possible start in life and the data shows it will enormously help them later in their careers. The premium is all about continuing to improve academic standards to deliver a truly world-class education system. We need to inspire young people to make the most of their lives and give them the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions, no matter where they live.’
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Elizabeth Truss, said: "we know that maths powers our economy. And for individual students, choosing maths could add around 10% to their future earnings. It is even more beneficial for women and I specifically want to encourage more girls to take maths and open up their future. In many other advanced nations, pupils are encouraged to study maths beyond 16-years-old. The maths premium will help more students study maths for longer and put them in a great position to take up skilled jobs."
Schools Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: "academic standards are rising in our schools, with 1.9 million more children in good or outstanding schools than in 2010. Although maths remains the most popular subject at A level, this premium will open up the opportunity for even more young people to study advanced maths qualifications, providing them with the knowledge and skills for future success. Our reforms to post 16 maths qualifications, have led to a more rigorous curriculum, enabling pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. This will lead to better options for further study and training, including careers in engineering, computing, accountancy and design."