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New core maths exam course to include skills such as dividing bills New core maths exam course to include skills such as dividing bills
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How to divide a restaurant bill between friends is among the practical skills to be taught in the government’s new core maths examination, aimed at filling the gap in qualifications for pupils staying on at school in England past the age of 16.How to divide a restaurant bill between friends is among the practical skills to be taught in the government’s new core maths examination, aimed at filling the gap in qualifications for pupils staying on at school in England past the age of 16.
The new courses, intended for students who have passed GCSEs but who do not intend to take higher-level maths at A-level, will teach pupils how to calculate interest rates and understand statistics, as well as the fraught process of figuring out how much those who didn’t have any wine should contribute.The new courses, intended for students who have passed GCSEs but who do not intend to take higher-level maths at A-level, will teach pupils how to calculate interest rates and understand statistics, as well as the fraught process of figuring out how much those who didn’t have any wine should contribute.
According to the Department for Education (DfE), which is launching the new qualification to be taught from Thursday, the new course is intended to help pupils in real-life situations and increase their confidence in managing their personal finances.According to the Department for Education (DfE), which is launching the new qualification to be taught from Thursday, the new course is intended to help pupils in real-life situations and increase their confidence in managing their personal finances.
The need for the new qualification comes from changes to the school leaving age, which was previously set at 16, when students take GCSEs. Under changes introduced by the last Labour government, young adults between 16 and 18 must now be in education, employment or training, meaning that the number of post-16 pupils in schools has swelled.The need for the new qualification comes from changes to the school leaving age, which was previously set at 16, when students take GCSEs. Under changes introduced by the last Labour government, young adults between 16 and 18 must now be in education, employment or training, meaning that the number of post-16 pupils in schools has swelled.
Related: ‘Damaging’ A-level reform threatens to reverse maths uptake, say advisersRelated: ‘Damaging’ A-level reform threatens to reverse maths uptake, say advisers
“The new courses address the ‘maths gap’, where students often forget the vital maths knowledge they have learned because they do not keep using it,” the DfE said.“The new courses address the ‘maths gap’, where students often forget the vital maths knowledge they have learned because they do not keep using it,” the DfE said.
The new qualifications – which include a new core English course – will only be open to pupils who gained at least a C in GCSE maths or English who want to achieve further skills in those subjects to complement courses such as economics or geography.The new qualifications – which include a new core English course – will only be open to pupils who gained at least a C in GCSE maths or English who want to achieve further skills in those subjects to complement courses such as economics or geography.
“Maths and English aren’t optional,” said Nick Gibb, the schools minister. “They are the building blocks of future study and employment.”“Maths and English aren’t optional,” said Nick Gibb, the schools minister. “They are the building blocks of future study and employment.”
One question from a sample paper prepared by the AQA examination board involves “Pete” struggling to make his sums add up when trying to buy a house, even on a salary of £66,000. “This does not look right. What have I done wrong?” Pete asks – a familiar reaction to anyone house-hunting in the south-east of England. One question from samples prepared by WJEC Eduqas and AQA examination boards involves “Pete” struggling to make his sums add up when trying to buy a house, even on a salary of £66,000. “This does not look right. What have I done wrong?” Pete asks – a familiar reaction to anyone house-hunting in the south-east of England.
Another question presents pupils with a real-life experience: an executive misusing statistics to claim that the company’s sales have doubled. One bit of practical advice might have been to agree in the hopes of rapid promotion – but the correct answer is more prosaic.Another question presents pupils with a real-life experience: an executive misusing statistics to claim that the company’s sales have doubled. One bit of practical advice might have been to agree in the hopes of rapid promotion – but the correct answer is more prosaic.
The DfE said that the new qualification was backed by employers, who have complained about a lack of basic numeracy and literacy skills among the workforce.The DfE said that the new qualification was backed by employers, who have complained about a lack of basic numeracy and literacy skills among the workforce.
Will Butler-Adams, managing director of Brompton Bicycles, said that he applauded the new course because maths was vital in all areas of his company’s business, including marketing, human resources and information technology.Will Butler-Adams, managing director of Brompton Bicycles, said that he applauded the new course because maths was vital in all areas of his company’s business, including marketing, human resources and information technology.
“At Brompton, as with every business, maths runs through our organisation,” Butler-Adams said. “Too often maths is discarded too early and its relevance to the subject ignored.”“At Brompton, as with every business, maths runs through our organisation,” Butler-Adams said. “Too often maths is discarded too early and its relevance to the subject ignored.”
Related: Michael Gove hits back in row over GCSE syllabusRelated: Michael Gove hits back in row over GCSE syllabus
The new core mathematics and English courses were introduced on the same day as the first of the government’s reformed GCSE and A-level courses, the culmination of changes introduced under the previous education secretary, Michael Gove.The new core mathematics and English courses were introduced on the same day as the first of the government’s reformed GCSE and A-level courses, the culmination of changes introduced under the previous education secretary, Michael Gove.
The revised GCSEs in maths and English will be taught from this year for first examination in 2017, and will be awarded with a new grading system that uses a 9-to-1 scale to replace the grades A*-G.The revised GCSEs in maths and English will be taught from this year for first examination in 2017, and will be awarded with a new grading system that uses a 9-to-1 scale to replace the grades A*-G.
Under the new system, a good grade-C pass becomes a grade 5.Under the new system, a good grade-C pass becomes a grade 5.
Reformed GCSEs in history, geography, sciences and foreign languages such as French and Spanish will be introduced from 2016 for examination in 2018.Reformed GCSEs in history, geography, sciences and foreign languages such as French and Spanish will be introduced from 2016 for examination in 2018.
“These new gold-standard GCSEs will ensure young people completing them master the skills needed to compete with the best in the world,” Gibb said.“These new gold-standard GCSEs will ensure young people completing them master the skills needed to compete with the best in the world,” Gibb said.
Reformed A- and AS-levels are also being taught from this year, including A-levels in sciences, history and English.Reformed A- and AS-levels are also being taught from this year, including A-levels in sciences, history and English.
Headteachers and teaching unions argued that the new examinations have been introduced too quickly, and will lead to problems as pupils switch between the reformed exams and older courses.Headteachers and teaching unions argued that the new examinations have been introduced too quickly, and will lead to problems as pupils switch between the reformed exams and older courses.