Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

£600 per pupil for every extra pupil studying maths in sixth form

118 replies

noblegiraffe · 22/11/2017 14:25

Announced in the Budget today was £600 per pupil for every extra pupil who takes A-level maths or Core Maths in 6th form. This will be from 2019 and will use student numbers from this year as a baseline.

While this seems like a nice boost to maths, words cannot express how pissed off I am by the 'extra pupils' caveat. Schools, like mine, who are already offering Core Maths and have piled high maths classes due to lower than other schools' entry requirements will be penalised.

If we want any extra funding, what that will mean is even bigger class sizes than we already have (20+), accepting students who probably shouldn't be on the course, and more work for the classroom teacher (and I bet that the extra money will not be coming my way).

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 22/11/2017 16:12

Grockle are you thinking about comps with specialist school status? That was scrapped years ago.

OP posts:
GrockleBocs · 22/11/2017 15:48

This has made me irrationally angry. I have a child who is g&t at maths. I want this child to go to a specialist maths and science comp. Because of the admissions arrangements in our area, they stand next to no chance of going there and will have to go to a school with a specialism they have less than average abilities in.
What's the fecking point of offering choice and incentives when policy takesvaway the choice.
Angry

Cherrypi · 22/11/2017 15:47

The chancellor seemed very keen on computer based home learning for adults.

TheFallenMadonna · 22/11/2017 15:43

There aren't enough Maths teachers for every child taking GCSE to have a Maths teacher.

Cherrypi · 22/11/2017 15:42

Would they need to pass to get the money though or attend lessons?

noblegiraffe · 22/11/2017 15:01

Core Maths only requires a C/4 at GCSE.

There aren't enough maths teachers to bulk enter everyone who passes GCSE but doesn't take A-level!

OP posts:
LadyinCement · 22/11/2017 15:00

It says there the money is for schools , not for pupils! Ah, not such a great incentive for everyone to rush into Maths A Level, then.

LadyinCement · 22/11/2017 14:59

They'll have to dumb down Maths A Level or else there will be a massive amount of people failing. Ds reported that people who were taking Maths A Level with Bs at GCSE really struggled.

noblegiraffe · 22/11/2017 14:59

TES article here. www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/budget-more-money-schools-attract-extra-a-level-maths-students

It doesn't say whether it will be based on census figures or exam figures but how could they do it on exam figures without there being a 2 year lag in payment?

OP posts:
Cherrypi · 22/11/2017 14:57

Maths at higher levels is much more creative. This may capture some great mathematicians who are put off at GCSE.

NewtsSuitcase · 22/11/2017 14:54

stem is where the jobs are likely to be. It makes absolute sense.

TheFrendo · 22/11/2017 14:52

£600 for each extra student studying maths, not necessarily passing a qualification?

BabyOrSanta · 22/11/2017 14:52

I can see what will happen round here... you'll now be accepted for the course if you get a much lower grade.

Unless they're just going to do it on A level passes?

Cherrypi · 22/11/2017 14:50

Surely every school will bulk enter everyone for core maths?

user2019697 · 22/11/2017 14:49

As a country we underproduce graduates in mathematical subjects. Quantitative skills are becoming more and more important across a wide range of jobs. We are an anomaly in that students don't automatically continue maths until 18. Personally I welcome any attempts to encourage more students to study maths - although I can certainly believe that the financial incentives offered are not "real".

KATE3003 · 22/11/2017 14:46

Totally agree... There is already a massive bias at my school with students thinking STEM subjects are much more important than Arts, Humanities and English (English Teacher.) This is going to make it a million times worse..

Jedbartletforpresident · 22/11/2017 14:38

I've totally missed this today - can you explain the reasoning behind it?

I have to be honest that my gut feeling is that it pisses me off - the massive push on STEM subjects to the detriment of Arts and Humanities really winds me up and I wonder is this yet another example of demeaning arts and humanities subjects

TheFallenMadonna · 22/11/2017 14:30

Actually takes the exam? Or is registered for the census?