MATHS IN THE PAPERS Maths and Education October 2002

Ofsted is expected to highlight weaknesses in literacy and numeracy strategies in primary schools undermining the drive to raise attainment levels. A handful of schools are consistently turning out bad results in the national tests. The DfES is addressing the problem, along with support from 13 local education authorities, through use of a programme of intensive support.

The Guardian 26/11/02

British teenagers find school boring
Education

According to a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, British teenagers find school more boring than their counterparts in any other industrialised nation. The study was carried out in 32 countries. 54% of UK 15-year-olds reported that they often felt bored at schools. The average across the nations was 48%. Teenagers in Britain and Northern Ireland are taught in larger classes, with an average class size of 25, compared to the OECD average of 24.

The Guardian 29/10/02

Problems with SATS
Education

Cases of cheating in Sats referred to the QCA has risen to an all time high of 270 this year, with 11 schools having results for the whole class annulled. Problems are blamed on teachers being left alone to administer their own exams and training days for markers, who may also be administering Sats to their own classes, where exam papers are sees weeks in advance.

The Guardian 26/10/02

Problems with SATS
Education

Cases of cheating in Sats referred to the QCA has risen to an all time high of 270 this year, with 11 schools having results for the whole class annulled. Problems are blamed on teachers being left alone to administer their own exams and training days for markers, who may also be administering Sats to their own classes, where exam papers are sees weeks in advance.

The Guardian 26/10/02

Estelle Morriss's resignation letter
Education

'I will look back with real pride at the role I have played in helping to raise standards in literacy and numeracy in primary schools, in the reform programme we now have for secondary schools, and indeed at all levels of education; and perhaps above all the enhanced status of the teaching profession. But I feel this is the right decision for me, and for the Government.'

From Estelle Morriss's resignation letter 23/10/02

New maths A-level unveiled
Education

Government plans for a new mathematics A-level have been unveiled. Students will be required to revisit some areas of work already studied at GCSE. Calculators will be banned in one paper, and there will be a greater emphasis on pure maths, with fewer courses to choose from. The QCA was forced to revise the syllabus after the disastrous introduction of new-style A-levels under the Curriculum 2000 reforms, when the number of students finishing the full A-level fell by 12,000 and university applications fell by 10%.

The Guardian 12/10/02

New maths A-level unveiled
Education

Government plans for a new mathematics A-level have been unveiled. Students will be required to revisit some areas of work already studied at GCSE. Calculators will be banned in one paper, and there will be a greater emphasis on pure maths, with fewer courses to choose from. The QCA was forced to revise the syllabus after the disastrous introduction of new-style A-levels under the Curriculum 2000 reforms, when the number of students finishing the full A-level fell by 12,000 and university applications fell by 10%.

The Guardian 12/10/02

Maths support for engineering students
Education, Engineering