This bit is the most interesting bit in clover's post :
It’s obvious that these reforms have been driven by political ideology rather than looking at ways the existing system - which was functioning well - could have been improved further. Subject content for the new specification has been hastily put together by the intelligentsia in a “change for changes sake approach”, without any thought for how this might work in the classroom.
This resonates with teachers of many A Level subjects.
That said , DH (maths teacher in a selective school) does always say it's a knock on effect from maths GCSE being 'too easy' and A Level, therefore, being not challenging enough for years. I take this with a pinch of salt.
I didn't know about all those differences between maths A Level of old and other A Levels until I read the post and am confused as to why maths got away with being so different (and, therefore, elite) for years. Never have understood the whole maths/FM distinction either as a layperson , in terms of why some schools say you have to do both Maths and FM and others say just FM.