Education Minister's speech on post-16 mathematics

Commenting on the speech given by Education Minister Liz Truss to the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education's annual conference, Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, said:

“We appreciate that the Minister continues to highlight the importance of studying maths. Russell Group universities require Maths A-level or AS-level, and sometimes Further Maths, for many of our degree courses, particularly for science subjects, engineering, economics and of course Maths itself. Universities publish their particular entry requirements in prospectuses and on their website, and the Russell Group has published Informed Choices to give general guidance to students making advanced-level subject choices, and listing many degree subjects for which maths is either essential or desirable.

“Russell Group universities are already working with schools, teachers and others to enhance and improve learning and teaching in maths for all ages. For example, Imperial College offers a year-long Maths Teaching CPD programme aimed at teachers without a maths degree who are already teaching, or about to teach A-level Maths. And the University of Birmingham’s School of Mathematics organises a range of outreach activities that involve campus tours, school visits and an annual conference for teachers.

“Some of our institutions are involved in academies, University Technical Colleges and free schools, and universities are best-placed to decide how they can best support and enrich the quality of education in their local schools and communities.

“It is vital that any new mathematics qualifications do not have a negative impact on the take-up of A-level and AS-level Maths. The recent increases in students taking A-level Maths are welcomed, and we would want to see that trend continue.”