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.”
A new survey by the British Council has revealed that more than two thirds (67%) of primary school age children say they would like to spend more time at school learning a language.
Forty-four per cent of education professionals are unfamiliar with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as Martyn’s Law, according to new research.