Latest news with #CoreMaths
The Independent
a day ago
- Science
- The Independent
The popular A-level subject that the UK isn't very good at
Mathematics at A-level is going from strength to strength. Maths is the most popular subject choice, and further maths, which is a separate A-level course, has seen the most growth in uptake. Despite this, concerns still remain about the mathematical skills of young people who do not choose to study maths after they are 16. Students in England who have passed GCSE maths at grade four or above, but who are not taking A-level or AS-level maths, are eligible to take a core maths qualification. Core maths was introduced in 2014-15 to attempt to remedy a lack in mathematics education after 16. But the number of entries remains well short of what they could be. Many students who would benefit from maths after 16 are not taking this subject. A 2010 report from the Nuffield Foundation found that students in the UK lag behind their peers in other countries in participation in mathematics after the age of 16. Further research from the Royal Society and higher education charity AdvanceHE showed that, as a consequence, many were not well prepared for the demands of their university courses or careers. Survey data has also found that over half of UK adults' maths skills are low. Many courses at university include mathematical or quantitative elements, but do not require AS or A-level maths for entry. These include psychology, geography, business and management, sociology, health sciences, biology, education and IT. When many students have not studied mathematics since GCSE, this results in a lack of fluency and confidence in using and applying it. Core maths consolidates and builds on students' mathematical understanding. The focus is on using and applying mathematics to authentic problems drawn from study, work and life. This includes understanding and using graphs, statistics and tools such as spreadsheets, as well as understanding risk and probability. Take-up remains low despite incentives – schools receive an additional £900 in funding for each student who studies core maths. In 2025, 15,327 students took core maths – a 20% increase on 12,810 entries in 2024, which is very encouraging. However, research from the Royal Society in 2022 found that fewer than 10% of the number of A-level students who were not taking A-level mathematics had taken core maths, which will not have changed significantly even with the current numbers. Increasing enrolment There remains a strong commitment from the government to increasing participation in mathematics after 16 in England through core maths. Many schools and colleges have embraced the subject, and universities have expressed support too. However, a real incentive for teenagers to study this subject would be if it was rewarded in entry to university. Universities can allow students entry to a course with lower A-level grade profiles than normally required if they also passed core maths, for instance. But the number of universities making this kind of offer is low. Schools and colleges need stronger signals from universities to induce them to offer students the opportunity to study for a core maths qualification, and to encourage their students to do so. Shifting today's landscape to one where the vast majority of learners aged 16 to 19 in England are studying some form of mathematics which is relevant to their current and future interests and needs will require reform. The Royal Society's 2024 report on mathematical and data education sets out several reforms necessary to develop the mass mathematical, quantitative and data skills needed for the careers of the future. These include compulsory maths and data education in some form until 18. Extending the take-up of core maths would be an excellent way to begin achieving this. Paul Glaister CBE is a Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education at the University of Reading.
Wales Online
7 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
A level grade boundaries 2025 for WJEC, AQA, OCR and other exam boards
A level grade boundaries 2025 for WJEC, AQA, OCR and other exam boards Students can see how many marks were needed to achieve each grade for WJEC and other exam boards Grade boundaries are now released on the same day as A level results (Image: Getty Images) A level students will be picking up their exam results in Wales and England today (Thursday, August 14). Students will find out whether they got the A level grades they need to go on to university or jobs. Results for A levels are issued by schools and colleges from 8am and students can check on UCAS to see if they have been offered their preferred university place. At the same time each exam board will publish the grade boundaries for exams. This means students can see how many marks were needed to achieve each grade - and how close they came to achieving the next grade up or down. You can follow our live updates as pupils collect their results here In Wales maintained schools run A level exams and GCSE exams issued by the WJEC exam board. Independent schools run a mixture of WJEC and exams from other exam boards. In the past A level result grade boundaries were issued 24 hours before results day, but this was stopped as it was felt to create even more stress for students on an already high pressure day. Article continues below Grade boundaries are now released on the same day as A level and GCSE results. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here When and how you can find out the grade boundaries for your exam board: WJEC: You can access grade boundaries for your WJEC qualifications on A level results day on the WJEC website on Thursday, August 14. You can access grade boundaries for your WJEC qualifications on A level results day on the WJEC website on Thursday, August 14. AQA 2025 grade boundaries: Grade boundaries for summer 2025 will be available on the AQA website here on Thursday, August 14, at 8am. 2025 grade boundaries: Grade boundaries for summer 2025 will be available on the AQA website here on Thursday, August 14, at 8am. OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) 2024 grade boundaries: Grade boundaries for AS, A Level, Cambridge Technicals, Core Maths, Extended Project and FSMQ will be available on the OCR website here on Thursday, August 14, at 8am. 2024 grade boundaries: Grade boundaries for AS, A Level, Cambridge Technicals, Core Maths, Extended Project and FSMQ will be available on the OCR website here on Thursday, August 14, at 8am. Pearson Edexcel 2024 grade boundaries: AS and A Level and BTEC National grade boundaries for summer 2025 will be available on the Pearson website here on Thursday, August 14, at 8am. What are grade boundaries? A grade boundary is the minimum mark needed to achieve a particular grade. For example, if the grade boundary for a C is 50 marks, then learners have to get 50 marks or more to achieve a grade C. Grade boundaries change each year because exam papers change each year. It is not possible to produce exam papers that have exactly the same level of difficulty as those in previous years. It would be unfair for learners who have sat a slightly more difficult exam to have to get the same number of marks to achieve a certain grade as those who sat a less difficult exam. This means that the number of marks needed to demonstrate the standard required for a grade may be different in one year to what it was in a previous year. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Article continues below
