ACME new Post-16 Mathematics project
23 January 2012
Background
In a speech at the Royal Society in July 2011, the Secretary of
State Michael Gove stated his wish that within ten years, all young
people would be studying some form of mathematics post-16. This
echoed ACME's previous work on post-16 mathematics: Post-16
in 2016 and the Mathematical Needs
project.
The project
ACME is now taking a leading role in the mathematics and wider
subject communities in seeking to increase the provision and
take-up of appropriate post-16 mathematics provision. Various
stakeholders in the mathematics and STEM communities are supportive
of this work. As well as providing advice on the new pathway(s)
suggested by this consultation question, ACME also intends to
inform both the review of A-level mathematics provision and the
next steps for level 2 (and below) mathematics provision
post-16.
To inform its advice on the new pathway(s), ACME has committed
to produce a briefing paper outlining potential models for the
structure and content of the pathway(s) for those students who have
previously attained GCSE A*-C in mathematics, but for whom A-level
mathematics is inappropriate. This briefing paper will be informed
by extensive discussions with the mathematics and other communities
(including HE, employers and pre-19 education). It will also be
informed by analysis of current level 3 mathematics qualifications,
and an understanding of the current programme choices of students
with GCSE A*-C, who do not study mathematics currently.
Next Steps
ACME will shortly be launching a call for views to guide the
development of a challenging qualification for students who do not
currently take A-level mathematics but will still need to continue
with mathematics. This will be advertised via our website and our
newsletter.