Government provides update on Smith Review implementation

The Government has provided an update on implementing the recommendations of the Smith Review of post-16 mathematics since its publication on 20 July 2017.

The Smith Review was launched in 2016 to consider ways of improving maths education for 16 – 18 year olds. It was launched in response to low GCSE success rates in the subject. Responding to the report, the Government pledged to “build on [the report’s] recommendations as we determine how best to ensure we have the skills we need, now and in the future.”

Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, restated that the Government is committed to increasing participation in level 3 mathematics to ensure the future workforce is skilled, competitive and productive.

To improve the provision of maths in schools, the Department for Education (DfE) has implemented a number of the recommendations made by the Smith Review. A funding incentive has been introduced to help schools and colleges increase participation in post-16 academic mathematics qualifications. The advanced maths premium will provide up to £600 per additional student studying academic level 3 mathematics qualifications.

In addition, DfE has reduced the requirements for an additional payment that supports those 16 to 19 year olds who are undertaking a greater number of subjects post-16. The changes aim to provide a further financial incentive for promoting the further mathematics A-level. Students will now need to achieve a grade C rather than a grade B in their further mathematics A-level for their school or college to receive this additional payment

Meanwhile, the Government will continue to fund centrally delivered professional development programmes for core maths, AS/A levels mathematics and further mathematics. A new Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, worth £16 million over two years, started on the 1 May.

DfE is also working with the Royal Society’s Advisory Committee on Maths Education to embed occupation-specific maths within the technical qualification component of each of the new T levels.

Further details of the Smith Review can be found here

Nick Gibb MP’s full written answer is available to view below:

 16-18 Mathematics Education Review

Department for Education

 Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Smith Review of post-16 mathematics since its publication on 20 July 2017.

Nick Gibb: The Government is committed to increasing participation in level 3 mathematics to ensure the future workforce is skilled, competitive and productive. Since 2004, entries to A level mathematics have risen by 83% (84,226 in 2017). It is now the most popular A level and taken by 23.8% of students taking academic qualifications. There are currently over 250 students attending the two open mathematics schools sponsored by King’s College London and Exeter University along with Exeter College.

The Department has already implemented a number of the recommendations made by the Smith Review. A funding incentive has been introduced to help schools and colleges increase participation in post-16 academic mathematics qualifications. The advanced maths premium will provide up to £600 per additional student studying academic level 3 mathematics qualifications.

The Department has reduced the requirements for an additional payment that supports those 16 to 19 year olds who are undertaking a greater number of subjects post 16. The changes aim to provide a further financial incentive for promoting the further mathematics A level. Students will now need to achieve a grade C rather than a grade B in their further mathematics A level for their school or college to receive this additional payment

The Government continues to fund centrally delivered professional development programmes for core maths, AS/A levels mathematics and further mathematics. A new Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP), worth £16 million over two years, started on the 1 May.

The Department is also working with the Royal Society’s Advisory Committee on Maths Education to embed occupation-specific maths within the technical qualification component of each of the new T levels.

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