This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65293430

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Rishi Sunak sets up review to tackle 'anti-maths mindset' Rishi Sunak sets up review to tackle 'anti-maths mindset'
(about 1 hour later)
A review into ensuring pupils in England study maths up to the age of 18, without making an A-Level in the subject compulsory, is to be set up. Rishi Sunak will say an "anti-maths mindset" is holding the economy back, as he announces a review of the subject in England.
The advisory group will consider what maths skills students need, and whether a new maths qualification is necessary. A group of advisers, including mathematicians and business representatives, will examine the "core maths content" taught in schools.
Announcing the review in a speech in London, Mr Sunak will argue an "anti-maths mindset" is damaging the economy. It will also consider whether a new maths qualification is necessary.
Labour said more maths teachers were needed to deliver improvements. The PM will repeat his ambition to ensure all school pupils in England study some maths until the age of 18.
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson accused the Conservatives of "repeatedly missing their target for new maths teachers" and said Labour would invest in "thousands more teachers, including maths teachers by ending tax breaks for private schools". The government has already confirmed this will not involve making it compulsory to study an A-Level in the subject.
Earlier this year, Mr Sunak said he wanted all pupils in England to study maths in some form up to the age of 18. Announcing the review in a speech, Mr Sunak will say "poor numeracy" has damaged economic growth in the UK.
However, he provided little detail on how this could be done, and the government has acknowledged this aspiration will not be achieved before the next general election.
Experts question Sunak's 'maths until 18' planExperts question Sunak's 'maths until 18' plan
Private school tax breaks inexcusable, says LabourPrivate school tax breaks inexcusable, says Labour
Lockdown left poor pupils further behind in mathsLockdown left poor pupils further behind in maths
Speaking on Monday to an audience of students, teachers and business leaders, Mr Sunak will try to offer some more information about his plan - including details of a new advisory group, made up of mathematicians, education leaders and business representatives. Speaking in London on Monday to an audience of students, teachers and business leaders, he will attack an "anti-maths mindset," saying that being bad at maths has become "socially acceptable".
The panel will study countries which have high rates of numeracy and consider whether a new maths qualification should be introduced for 16 to 18-year-olds. He will say that maths skills will be vital for the jobs of the future, with poor numeracy levels costing the economy "tens of billions a year".
The prime minister will also commit to introducing "a voluntary and fully funded qualification" for teachers leading maths in primary schools and extending Maths Hubs - groups aimed at improving the teaching of maths. There are currently 40 such hubs across England. But opposition parties attacked the government's record of recruiting maths teachers, with Labour saying targets for teacher recruitment in the subject has been repeatedly missed.
During his speech, Mr Sunak will warn his audience that change cannot be delivered "overnight" adding: "We'll need to recruit and train the maths teachers. We'll need to work out how to harness technology to support them. "The prime minister needs to show his working: he cannot deliver this reheated, empty pledge without more maths teachers," shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said.
"And we'll need to make sure this maths is additional to other subjects - not instead of them." Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson said the government lacked a "proper plan" to recruit more maths teachers, adding: "You don't need a maths A-level to see that these plans don't add up."
The prime minister is also expected to attack an "anti-maths mindset" which views being bad at maths as "socially acceptable". The government has not put a number on how many more maths teachers will be required to increase the teaching of maths after the age of 16.
He will argue that maths is not just "nice to have" but vital for economic growth. Asked for a figure on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the number of teachers required would depend on the advisory group's findings.
"If we are going to grow the economy not just over the next two years, but the next twenty, we simply cannot allow poor numeracy to cost our economy tens of billions a year or to leave people twice as likely to be unemployed as those with competent numeracy. Downing Street has said the group will include mathematicians, education leaders and business representatives and study countries with high rates of numeracy. It will also consider how new technology can be used to help teachers.
Mr Sunak will also commit to introducing "a voluntary and fully funded qualification" for teachers leading maths in primary schools and extending the 40 or so Maths Hubs across England, which aim to improve the standard of maths teaching.
Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said the prime minister's aim was "laudable" but warned it would be "thwarted unless he faces up to the reality of the state of education in England".Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said the prime minister's aim was "laudable" but warned it would be "thwarted unless he faces up to the reality of the state of education in England".
She said there was a "crisis of teacher retention as a result of low pay and excessive workload" and called on the government to explain how it would recruit more maths teachers.She said there was a "crisis of teacher retention as a result of low pay and excessive workload" and called on the government to explain how it would recruit more maths teachers.
National Numeracy, a charity dedicated to promoting the importance of everyday maths, said the PM's focus on pupils aged 16+ "is not nearly enough to change mindsets".
The charity's chief executive, Sam Sims, said "addressing poor numeracy needs to start much earlier than 16".
"We need a 'cradle to career' vision for numeracy in the UK.
"In our charity's decade of experience, we know that confidence is already damaged, and minds are already set against maths by GCSE.
"Enforcing more classroom maths for those people already scarred by their experience may compound the problem."
The Royal Society said it was "reassuring" to hear of the prime minister's plans, but said a "radical reform" of the way maths is taught "will not be easy".
The Society's president, Sir Adrian Smith, said: "The introduction of Core Maths as an alternative qualification to maths A levels has been a popular and positive change.
"But more still needs to be done to make such courses, and mathematics skills in general, widely available and appealing to students."
In 2019, the UK was ranked 18th in the world for attainment in maths, based on tests taken by 15-year-olds.In 2019, the UK was ranked 18th in the world for attainment in maths, based on tests taken by 15-year-olds.
Almost a third of 16 year olds in England fail GCSE maths each year and face compulsory resits in college. The resit pass rate is about one in five.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SchoolsSchools
Rishi SunakRishi Sunak
Young peopleYoung people