Maths premium does not go far enough says ASCL

Commenting on today’s government announcement about the advanced maths premium, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We welcome any extra investment in 16-19 education because it is a sector that is woefully underfunded. However, this funding is very limited in scope as it is targeted only at maths, and then applies only to additional students who take maths compared to an average over two previous years. It is nowhere near enough to address the fact that sixth forms and colleges are having to cut courses and student support services because of government underfunding. We are calling on the government to conduct a review of 16-19 funding as a matter of urgency.

“It is also unfair that the premium does not reflect the efforts of schools and colleges which have already worked hard to increase maths entries and can now only access this funding by increasing numbers even further.”