Maths to the age of 18?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out the Government’s plans for young people in England to study maths up to the age of 18.

The aim is to give young people better maths knowledge to ensure they are equipped with the skills they need for the future and to support them in their careers, including those in the creative industries. This does not mean everyone will have to take maths A Level, but will ensure that young people, whatever path they take after school, have access to high-quality maths education that is suited to their needs.

The government is investigating the options available, either adapting existing qualifications and programmes or considering if there are any clear gaps that would make a brand-new qualification helpful.

Maths is already a compulsory part of the curriculum for all pupils in England up to the age of 16. Plans are being considered to bring maths into a variety of post-16 routes from T Levels to apprenticeships and beyond. The aim is to make maths a core feature of everyone’s education until the age of 18.

Many other countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Finland, Japan, Norway and the USA  already make sure that students take some form of maths until they’re 18.

Currently, eight million adults in the UK have maths skills lower than those expected of a nine-year-old. The hope is that ensuring all young people study maths until the age of 18, young people start adulthood with the skills necessary to thrive in both work and home life.

A new Expert Advisory Group is being set up to provide advice on the plan. At the same time as increasing the support available from Maths Hubs across the country, partnerships of schools, colleges and other organisations that work together to provide support for maths teaching in their region.