Home / University entry maths exam could help post-Brexit Britain
University entry maths exam could help post-Brexit Britain
EB News: 21/02/2017 - 12:16
A maths exam for university applicants could help Britain compete in a post-Brexit world, according to a new report.
The “A Global Britain: from local startups to international markets” report suggests that introducing a Sats-style maths exam could improve Britain’s skills.
The document, which was co-wrote by Rachel Wold, a former Downing Street policy advisor, calls for people aged between 16 and 19 to study maths to a level above GCSE.
The Coalition for a Digital Economy (COADEC) found that three major skills are likely to be in high demand in the future, which are: software development, advanced science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills (STEM), and basic skills in English and maths.
According to the report, between 95 and 100 per cent of post-16 pupils in Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Korea, Sweden, Japan, Russia and Taiwan all study maths.
The same figure is between 21 and 50 per cent in Scotland and a lower amount of six and 20 per cent in the UK.
The report states that a system should be in place that requires all 16 and 19-year-olds to study maths in higher education and that basic levels of literacy and numeracy at a GCSE level should be a requirement for all further education.
As a result of this point, the report states that the government could bring in a Sats-style exam in maths for university applicants to take.
However, if the proposals were accepted it would take about ten years to enforce.
Ofsted has announced it will be holding a programme of sector engagement events in September to go alongside the final set of education inspection reforms.
Overstretched children’s social care services has led to an alarming number of children leaving the care system and becoming homeless, not in employment or not in education, according to a report by the Education Committee.
A new report suggests the free schools programme in England has generally had positive impacts on pupil outcomes at secondary, including GCSE and A-Level attainment and secondary school absence.
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) finds that the Department for Education (DfE) lacks a coherent plan, suitable targets and sufficient evidence of what works as it seeks to improve teacher recruitment and retention.