Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to encourage the uptake of mathematics in post-16 education; and if she will make a statement.

We are reforming mathematics in post-16 education and have set out our ambition for the majority of young people in England to study mathematics to at least age 18 by 2020. In addition, students without at least a grade C in mathematics GCSE are now required to continue to study this vital subject within 16-19 education until they gain this valuable qualification.

We are reforming A level maths to provide a better stepping stone to mathematical study at university, and we are expanding the Further Maths Support Programme to support and enhance A level teaching. From 2017 Level 3 maths will count in the 16-19 schools and college performance tables and in the TechBacc measure from 2016. This will recognise schools and colleges that deliver maths to age 18 effectively and ensure that maths education receives the priority it deserves.

We are also introducing ‘Core Maths’ qualifications from 2015 for post-16 students who achieve at least a C at GCSE, but do not progress to A level or AS level. These qualifications will help young people think mathematically, logically and analytically. We expect large numbers of students to elect to take these qualifications, which will be valued by employers and universities. Almost 200 schools and colleges have signed up to take part in the programme already.

We have recently created a network of Maths Hubs, supported with £11 million over their first two years, to raise standards of maths education from the early years to age 19. One of the main responsibilities of Maths Hubs will be to support increased participation in maths to age 18 in their area.