
All pupils to study maths to 18
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that all pupils in England will keep learning maths up to the age of 18.
Estimates show that around 8 million adults in England have the numeracy skills of primary school children. Currently, only around half of 16- to 19-year-olds study maths at all. The problem is significant for disadvantaged pupils, 60% of whom do not have basic maths skills at age 16. The Prime Minister will commit to taking action to reverse these trends by introducing maths to all pupils in England at the age of 18.
The government’s focus on literacy since 2010, including phonics, has led to improvements in standards. In 2012, 58% of 6-year-olds were able to read words fluently. By 2019, the figure was 82%. Sunak believes that their renewed focus on numeracy will aim to match this achievement.
The future of jobs
The UK remains one of the only countries in the world not to require students to study some form of maths up to the age of 18. This includes the majority of OECD countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Finland, Japan, Norway, and the USA.
It is believed that teaching maths to 18 will equip young people with the quantitative and statistical skills that they will need for the jobs of today and the future. With all the advancements in technology and data science, the skill set required for the workplace over the coming years will be different than the current one.
In a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, the jobs of the future will need more analytical skills than before.
Jobs with a maths core at their heart, such as data science, programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and coding, are in demand and are an attractive option for young people entering the workplace.
Maths qualifications
The government does not envisage making maths A-Level compulsory. Further detail is to be set out, but the government is exploring existing routes, such as the Core Maths qualifications and T-Levels, as well as more innovative options.
Maths teacher shortage
Education experts welcomed the move but also reacted to the plans with caution, saying that maths teacher shortages must be tackled. Labour and the teaching unions say delivering the plan will be hampered by a shortage of maths teachers. One in six teachers in England leave the profession after just a year, and teachers in England may join strike action later this month.
Changes in education
The intention to ensure pupils study maths until age 18 is nothing new. It has been advocated by former education secretary Michael Gove in 2011, the Lords Science and Technology Select Committee in 2012 and then education minister Liz Truss in 2014.
The government acknowledges the plan would not be possible to implement before the next general election, although the prime minister is expected to begin working on the plan in this parliament.
The ambition is the PM’s first major intervention in education since entering office. The change reflects his mission to ensure that school leavers have skills in numeracy and literacy.
At the Autumn Statement, the government announced that it will invest an additional £2bn in schools next year and £2bn the year after, taking school funding to its highest-ever level. However, no extra funding was given to further education colleges, which teach many of the most disadvantaged 16- to 18-year-olds, or to sixth-form colleges.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Fareham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Fareham
Description
Are you a dedicated and passionate Mathematics Teacher? Are you committed to nurturing the next generation of problem solvers and critical thinkers? Look no further! Our prestigious secondary school i
Reference
MT84
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Mia SurpliceAuthor
Mia SurpliceSalary
£28,000 - 43,685 per year
Location free text
Poole
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Maths
Location
Poole
Description
Maths TeacherFull or Part timePooleSeptember StartWe are seeking a dynamic and experienced Maths Teacher to join our school community. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching Maths t
Reference
MTPO4
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Georgia HunkinAuthor
Georgia HunkinSalary
£130 - 200 per day
Location free text
Hillingdon
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Hillingdon
Description
Secondary School Maths Teacher Teaching Personnel are currently looking for a Maths Teacher to work full time in one of our Secondary Schools in the West London area.This role is a long-term
Reference
23465161
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Sahra AbdullahiAuthor
Sahra AbdullahiSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Bradford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Maths
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
We are looking for experienced Maths Teachers to deliver tuition schools across Bradford, starting September 2023.You will be responsible for delivering small group Maths tuition to students, who are
Reference
RWMathsBradSept
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Rebecca YatesAuthor
Rebecca YatesSalary
£25,714 - 41,604 per year
Location free text
Hook
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Hampshire
Description
Job Title: Secondary School Maths Teacher Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom Employer: Teaching PersonnelTeaching Personnel, a leading education recruitment agency, is currently seeking
Reference
Maths Rmays
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Kate GallacherAuthor
Kate GallacherSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Wakefield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Maths
Location
Wakefield
Description
Are you a Maths Specialist looking for an exciting new challenge? Teaching Personnel are seeking full and part time Maths Tutors on behalf of schools in Wakefield, to start tuition in September 2023.
Reference
RWMathsWakefSep23
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Rebecca YatesAuthor
Rebecca YatesSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
North Yorkshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Maths
Location
North Yorkshire
Description
Are you a Maths Specialist looking for an exciting new challenge? Or are you a qualified primary school teacher with an Maths specialism hoping to transition to a secondary setting? Teaching Personnel
Reference
RWMathsNYorkSep
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Rebecca YatesAuthor
Rebecca YatesSalary
£130 - 270 per day
Location free text
Great Barr
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
West Midlands
Description
Teaching Personnel are currently seeking talented and enthusiastic Maths Teachers to join the outstanding maths department at a high-achieving high school in Great Barr. This role is to start in Septe
Reference
HOMGB
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Michael HillsAuthor
Michael HillsSalary
£100 - 220 per day
Location free text
Gillingham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Kent
Description
Outstanding Maths Teachers needed in Kent!This is an exciting opportunity for an NQT or experienced teacher to join our schools in Gillingham, starting September 2023.Our schools are looking for a tea
Reference
Maths Gillingham
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Sam CrispAuthor
Sam CrispSalary
£100 - 220 per day
Location free text
Rochester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Kent
Description
Outstanding Maths Teachers needed in Kent!This is an exciting opportunity for an NQT or experienced teacher to join our schools in Rochester, starting September 2023.Our schools are looking for a teac
Reference
Maths Rochester
Expiry Date
DD07YY
Author
Sam CrispAuthor
Sam CrispRelated posts

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
There are around 244,000 teaching assistants (TAs) working in schools across the UK. The number of TAs has trebled since the year 2000. Today, teaching assistants play a crucial role in supporting stu
.jpg)
Teaser
Primary EducationContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
While it is true that “accidents will happen”, keeping children safe and preventing as many accidents as possible should be a concern of every school. By raising awareness of risk sensitively, schools

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
In 2023, it is impossible to watch the news without an item discussing the threats posed and potential benefits offered to society by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Most people, by now, will have t

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
Primary EducationContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
There is little doubt that school leaders across the country are facing a recruitment and retention crisis. It is a simple yet frustrating equation; fewer people are entering the workforce than ar

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Teacher recruitment is a critical aspect of any school's success. Finding the right teachers and support staff to lead and inspire the next generation of students is no easy task, and it is one th

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Teaching Personnel is proud to announce a new partnership with the Chartered College of Teaching, the leading professional body for teachers and teaching assistants. This partnership will provide

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Secondary EducationContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
The current teacher shortage is set to be one of the main challenges for the UK in 2023. The number of graduates entering the profession is decreasing, while the number of teachers leaving has in

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching can be an enriching and fulfilling profession. If you want to make a difference in someone's life, there is no better job than to teach. Like doctors, nurses and vets, teaching is more than

by
Scott Owen
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job