MEI has published its response to the recent call for evidence for the Curriculum and Assessment Review and welcomes the opportunity to contribute on maths issues.

We highlight successes in the subject over recent years, as reflected in international tests and the number of students progressing into A level Maths and Further Maths. It is important that this success is maintained. The current maths curriculum and qualifications support progression in the subject, but changes are needed to improve the focus of teaching to improve student outcomes and skills.

MEI recommends:

• Reducing the volume of content in the primary curriculum to free time for greater depth and consolidation, moving some content to Key Stage 3.
• Specifying a ‘data science’ strand comprising complementary curriculum elements from mathematics and computing covering statistics and probability, data analysis, machine learning and AI as a step to introducing data science into the curriculum.
• Introducing a curriculum entitlement to study Core Maths at level 3 to increase the availability of this important area of study.
• Reforming GCSE maths to better reflect the intended KS4 curriculum – reducing some content at Foundation Tier and providing greater focus on essential maths in the assessment at Foundation and Higher tier.
• Introducing a revised GCSE for post-16 resit students (and adults) that includes assessment of underpinning maths, stepping resit students more effectively to success at level 2.

While MEI’s recommendations focus on curriculum and qualification changes, high-quality support, CPD, and resources for teachers are essential to implementation and to meeting the curriculum intent.