Smith, who is also vice-chairman of the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust, said that forcing children through the exam system early was a ‘disaster’ and a ‘mistake’. Instead pupils should use the extended time to further enhance their skills and build on knowledge already taught in school.
He said: “Unusually bright people find the school mathematics syllabus undemanding. But there’s so much worthwhile mathematics to keep them happy and busy while their bodies turn into adults. School maths barely scratches the surface.”
The campaign aims to tackle the worrying decline in reading for pleasure, with reading rates among young people dropping to its lowest level since 2005,
Almost half (46 per cent) of teachers across Europe do not think schools are equipping students with the skills needed for an AI future — a concern shared by two in five teachers in the UK (41 per cent).
An additional £20 million of funding has been allocated to support essential capital repairs and maintenance across schools and colleges in Wales this year.
Now in its 17th year, the Education Business Awards continue to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work, dedication, and achievements of schools and academies across the UK.