Are specialist maths schools the key to driving up standards?
The UK government has announced extra funding for the creation of specialist maths schools across the country to build on the success of two maths schools that are already achieving outstanding results.
26 March 2018
The UK government has announced additional funding for the creation of specialist maths schools.The new schools are part of the government’s industrial strategy which aims to drive up standards in schools and to help more girls and students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study maths.
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Professor Janice Kay, who helped to set up the school, explained the principles behind it, “Exeter Mathematics School has been a fantastic success story,” she said. “Promoting maths participation and skills development in the region, a strong social mobility focus, increasing the number of young women mathematicians and developing outreach are founding principles.“University staff have been integrally involved and in partnership with the School, Exeter College and industry; we have been able to do more to nurture and inspire the next generation of mathematicians and scientists.”
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Learning from top mathematicians
Top universities can now apply to open specialist maths schools for 16-19 year olds to help students learn from top performing mathematicians. The strategy builds on the success of two specialist maths schools that are seeing outstanding results in maths – Exeter Mathematics School and King’s College London Mathematics School.Charlie Stripp, chief executive of Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) and director of the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics said, “The expansion of the Maths Schools programme will extend opportunities to students with a passion and talent for mathematics, whatever their background, to develop their potential and access the most prestigious maths-related university degree courses.“Linking with the Maths Hubs and the Level 3 Maths Support Programme, and building on the success of the Exeter and King’s College Maths Schools, the new schools will enhance our national provision of maths education.”Outstanding maths teaching
Exeter Mathematics School was only founded in 2014 but the state-funded sixth form school has since been rated outstanding by Ofsted and in 2017 75 per cent of its students achieved A or A* in A Level maths. This compares to a national average of 42 per cent. The school is jointly sponsored by the University of Exeter and Exeter College.Related news:
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Professor Janice Kay, who helped to set up the school, explained the principles behind it, “Exeter Mathematics School has been a fantastic success story,” she said. “Promoting maths participation and skills development in the region, a strong social mobility focus, increasing the number of young women mathematicians and developing outreach are founding principles.“University staff have been integrally involved and in partnership with the School, Exeter College and industry; we have been able to do more to nurture and inspire the next generation of mathematicians and scientists.”
A level results: 98 per cent A or A*
King’s College London Mathematics School is run in partnership with King’s College London and was also founded in 2014. Their second cohort graduated in 2017 achieving outstanding results – 98 per cent of students achieved A or A* grades in maths.Maths remains the most popular A Level choice and its popularity has been steadily increasing since 2003. Now almost 25 per cent of all students choosing to study the subject. Maths A Level supports the transition to many STEM degrees such as engineering and physics and maths is one of the most sought after skills within the job market.The opportunities that studying maths provides
School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said, “We want more students to study maths as it can open up a wide range of options for future study, training and work.The success of existing maths schools shows the value of tapping into the expertise of our world-class universities. We now want more institutions to follow the lead of King’s and Exeter and help our most talented students, regardless of background and gender.”The government will provide £350,000 dedicated funding each year to existing and future schools to support outreach work with local schools and colleges, sharing their specialist skills, helping to raise standards and get more children studying maths.Two new school categories have been added to our annual Relocate Awards for 2018 – School Providing Outstanding Relocation Support and Inspiring Future Careers – Best Employer & School(s) Initiative but you must be quick! Entries close 31 March 2018.
For related news and features, visit our Education Schools section. Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
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