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Education: Mathematics and English

Answer

We have set high expectations for our young people so they are clear about the importance of studying English and maths alongside their other choices. Our reforms to schools and further education will improve the quality of the teaching workforce, reward the best providers and ensure learners are stretched to achieve the best they can.

Since September 2013, all young people aged 16 to 19 who have not yet achieved a grade C or above in English and maths at GCSE are continuing to study these subjects whether they are at school or college. Where a student might not be ready to study towards a GCSE, he or she can take other qualifications ranging from entry level to level 2 depending on the student’s prior attainment. These interim qualifications include functional skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages or free-standing mathematics as stepping stones to GCSE. Students with complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities are excluded from this requirement where appropriate.

Some young people learn English and maths best within a vocational setting. As a consequence we are ensuring that good-quality English and maths provision are at the heart of traineeships and apprenticeships. All young people undertaking a traineeship will be required to study English and maths, unless they have already achieved Level 2.

All intermediate apprentices will be required to work towards achieving a Level 2 in English and maths from 2014/15.

We fully fund English and maths courses, up to and including GCSE, for adults who lack these skills. There is a wide range of provision to enable adults to learn in the way that suits them, including workplace learning, community learning, traditional college courses and online learning. Unemployed people with poor English and maths are required to train to bring their skills up to the level expected by employers.

We are also taking steps to improve the quality of teaching and learning and in August 2013 we announced a package of support to increase the numbers of specialist teachers of English and maths in the further education sector. Key features include £15 million of initial teacher training bursaries to match those offered in the schools sector; English and maths continuous professional development programmes to upskill existing literacy and numeracy teachers to teach to GCSE level; and dissemination of best practice in the teaching of English and maths and students with special educational needs.

We will continue analysing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development International Survey of Adult Skills and will consider whether further action is necessary.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL2539; 748 c123WA

Session

2013-14

Subjects

Literacy Young people Numeracy

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk