To think the school system is ridiculous

There isn't a UK school system. Wales and Scotland are devolved.

You're talking about an overhaul of "the system", but clearly don't know much about education, as you'd know that Wales are currently in the process of just that.

Every phone has a calculator yet we teach kids how to add up and multiply and do arithmetic. Why should we bother?
Every phone has a spellchecker, yet we teach kids how to spell.
That phone in your hand needs algebra and quadratic equations to do those things for us. Someone has to write the code to enable those functions.
Engineering - bridges, software, roads, cars, most of the things you use every day - needs the maths you are despising.

I can see that you might argue that only specialists need learn it all, yet we cannot discern who might specialise at an early age.

Moreover, if we don't teach these subjects at an early age, it could mean we lose brilliant people because they never learned in the first place.

More importantly, we need people who understand science and maths in every walk of life because we work better as a population when we share a broad knowledge.

FYI, I do have a maths A Level. I also studied software engineering and got a first and systems thinking and got a Merit in my MSc.

I suspect you will discount my knowledge because I'm a specialist, so those of us who fulfil your criteria can be dismissed because we don't fit your argument.

Algebra and quadratic equations mean you can post on MN. But hey, who needs to learn algebra?

I think I would have agreed with you prior to having my son. I used to feel anxious about maths… “it’s hard/ I can’t do it”, which would often make me defensive… “it’s pointless!”
I actually remember feeling so lost and trying to copy my friends work; I think I would have really struggled if I’d had to study it at A level. But now I have a son who loves maths, who finds it thrilling and logical and I’m starting to love it too. I’m beginning to see how it is a language that can help us to problem-solve. I’ve met fabulous people who love it too.
I do wonder how narratives around maths shape our approach to it and our feelings about it - and how we can begin to challenge these

By not teaching it, you reduce the career options available to them

Youve picked on the wrong subject their OP. I agree the curriculum needs updating , but algebra is essential for anyone going on to study a science related subject . E = mc squared?

Not true. A strong understanding of algebra is very useful for accountancy

Well they don’t! I know I studied in both (never mind my experience guess you and your cousins know better)

and again!! What do you suggest as an alternative to maths, what’s more valuable

You likely don't like it as you were not taught to understand it. You were taught to get an answer and follow a procedure.

You followed a procedure got an answer and did that page after page after page. If you forget the procedure then you cannot ever answer the question or if the questions deviate from what you have page after page of then again you cannot follow the procedure so come unstuck.

In 1982 the gov were told not to teach that way but they carried on. Now they have changed it so they finally teach understanding the concept. They make the children see the maths, explore it and manipulate things. Being able to draw or represent and explain what the question asks shows more understanding that writing the answer. If a child can represent 3y + 5 = 35 then they show understanding. If they get an answer of 10 then that doesn't show an understanding.

As I say I have never skied but I have seen someone ski so I can explain what you would do to be able to ski and I could draw a representation of it and explain it to someone as I have seen it.

You were taught procedural understanding. Now we teach conceptual understanding.

Ireland has the most educated population in the world (the most degrees and higher qualifications per head) so the eduction system must be doing something right.

I think the best thing parents can give their kids is a range of options. They go to school, learn lots of stuff, and then when they’re 16 they can decide what they want to do. The education they’ve had up to that point gives them a foundation on which to build whatever they want - A levels, college, university, apprenticeship, SAHP, own business - whatever they want.

If you start to narrow their options down to what you perceive as being useful, in your life, then you’re closing doors to them before they’ve even become adults.

I’ve always told my kids that I don’t mind what career pathways they choose eventually, but they need to keep as many doors open as possible for as long as possible, because no one knows what kids might suddenly get interested in.

Maths also mandatory in the UK to 16

You use algebra everyday.

A-D×4+B=
Apples - discount x 4 + Bananas = Cost

I think to some extent you’re bang on the money …school reform is definitely needed. But I think we should be dropping lots of other subjects and adding more maths 🤣🤣

But what would you have people study instead!

Algebra is problem solving and develops skills around it, that is important as a transferable skill and ability

I studied in Ireland up to 16 then in
uk so I have experience of both systems. Yes a-levels is only 3/4 subjects but they are done to a really in dept level. So you do more subjects in Ireland but the amount of study is really the same. Both systems have their pros and cons. If anything I prefer the Irish system as it’s more varied.

I can’t believe people think maths is useless. It’s insane that you cannot see the countless benefits of learning and practising maths

Same 😂😂 I always cook far too much

Why do you not want kids to learn to think and be able to think critically to solve problems? Surely that is a basic life skill that maths teaches them.

If 4 year olds can do algebra then I am sure you can!

Yep that’s what everyone who pointed out maths/algebra is useful meant.

But why does maths - or indeed any subject - have to be relevant to a career? I did maths (maths and further maths) because I loved it. I found it both immensely satisfying and, at times, totally beautiful. I studied an entirely pointless subject at university, again because I loved it and it inspired me. Learning for the sake of learning is a wonderful thing. I

(I do totally accept that not everyone feels the same way about maths as I do!)