What’s happening in secondary and pre-university maths education and why enrichment is so important

What’s happening? New National Curriculum – great aims! Pupils should develop: Mathematical fluency Mathematical Reasoning Mathematical Problem solving

The National Curriculum Programmes of study also state: ‘A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.’

What’s happening? New Mathematics GCSEs Consistent with the aims of the new NC Some additional content Intended to be more demanding New 9 point grading scale

What’s happening? The new GCSE Maths Assessment Objectives are intended to ensure there is a greater emphasis on mathematical reasoning and problem-solving If the new GCSE works as it should, the transition from GCSE Maths to AS/A level Maths should be more straightforward

What’s happening? A level numbers in Maths and FM are growing strongly

Source: JCQ

Source: JCQ

What’s happening? New, linear A level are being introduced for first teaching from September 2017 The full content of AS/A level Mathematics is prescribed and 50% of the content of A level Further Maths (30% for AS Further Maths) must be drawn from prescribed FM core content There will be a greater emphasis on modelling and problem solving It is intended that he level of difficulty will remain the same as for the current A levels

What’s happening? New ‘Core Maths’ qualifications have been introduced, to be examined for the first time this summer Core Maths is aimed at aimed at ALL students who have passed GCSE Maths, but for whom A level Maths is not the right choice (over a quarter of a million of them!)

Why is enrichment so important? Students who gained a GCSE Maths at Key Stage 4 who did not continue with maths during their 16-18 education (2011/2012 data): GCSE grade A/A* 29%        29,726 GCSE B             67%        67,555 GCSE C       76%        120,064  

Why is enrichment so important? We need more students to succeed at GCSE Mathematics – for their benefit and for the benefit of the country We need more students to do more Maths: 330,000 students start courses at Higher Education that require some element of post-16 mathematics, yet only 125,000 study mathematics from 16-18.’ [Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education, ‘Mathematical Needs’, 2011’].

Post-16 Mathematics Pathways Less than grade C in GCSE Mathematics: A programme working towards this goal Grade C or above in GCSE Mathematics but not intending to specialise in a mathematical discipline: Core Maths Grade C or above and intending to specialise in a mathematical discipline, or who particularly enjoy maths: AS/A level Mathematics and, possibly AS/A level Further Mathematics

Why is enrichment so important? We need to sell maths better – Maths is an inspiring, rewarding subject; being trained to answer GCSE Maths questions is not Teaching maths in an enriching way is more enjoyable for students and teachers, and leads to more successful outcomes, both in terms of exam results and in attitudes towards maths

What fraction of the triangle shaded? v

What fraction of the area of the red square is shaded blue?

Which region is larger, A or B?