Prime minister Rishi Sunak has set out further details of his plan for all children to study maths up to age 18, including the names of those who will sit on an expert advisory group.
These experts will not look at how to address maths teacher shortages - an issue that is seen by many as a major flaw in the prime minister’s plan.
The government has also today set out an ambition to ensure that “any young person, regardless of their chosen pathway, will experience high-quality maths education that is world-class and suited to their needs, including considering those with SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] who may require a tailored approach”.
Maths to 18 plan: who will sit on the expert advisory group?
The group, made up of mathematicians, education leaders and business representatives, will focus solely on the approach needed post-16, and does not contain any leaders representing primary or secondary schools.
However, the government has said today that the group will be expected to reach out to, and draw on insights from, wider networks “across industry, academia and frontline provision”.
The expert advisers are:
• Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE (chancellor, University of Leicester)
• Peter Cooper (executive principal and chief executive officer, Heart of Mercia Multi-Academy Trust)
• Lucy-Marie Hagues (chief executive officer, Capital One UK)
• Professor Jeremy Hodgen (professor of mathematics education, University College London)
• Simon Lebus (non-executive chairman, Sparx)
• Tim Oates CBE (group director of assessment research and development, Cambridge University Press and Assessment)
• Charlie Stripp MBE (chief executive officer, MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry), and director, National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics)
• Fionnuala Swann (assistant principal (academic), Nelson and Colne College Group)
What will the expert advisory group discuss?
The advisory group will look at what maths is required to be globally competitive, how this maths is taught, and what qualifications could be introduced or used to ensure that the ambition is fulfilled.
What is the timeline of the plan?
The group will conduct its work between April and July 2023 and then meet with the prime minister and secretary of state for education in the summer to discuss their findings.
The experts will then supply written evidence and advice to Mr Sunak and Gillian Keegan by the end of July 2023.
The group will not publish a report on its findings.
The Department for Education will also consider the role that digital tools and platforms can play to support maths teaching.
Lack of input from schools and colleges ‘disappointing’
After the membership of the expert group was revealed today, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “While we respect the expertise of the members of the advisory group, it is disappointing that there is not more input from schools and colleges.”
Mr Barton added that it was also disappointing that the remit “does not extend to the most pertinent question - which is how many maths teachers would be needed, and how would they be sourced, given the very significant existing shortfalls”.
He said: “Absolutely no consultation has taken place with the education sector over this policy and it has reached this point only through two half-baked announcements by the prime minister. This is not a serious way in which to conduct and deliver meaningful education policy.”
The “maths to18” plan was heavily criticised by education figures when it was first announced in January due to the severe shortage of maths teachers that schools are already facing.
Research published in November suggested that almost half of secondary schools were using non-maths specialists to teach the subject.
