Reforms 'will slash numbers taking A-level maths'

Michael Gove's proposals for A-level reform risk triggering a "collapse" in the numbers of pupils taking maths, experts warned today.

In a letter to the Education Secretary, Professor Dame Julia Higgins, chairwoman of the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) said making A-level maths harder "will mean fewer students will choose to take the qualification".

In an interview earlier this month, Mr Gove indicated he wanted to scrap AS-levels, which are usually taken in the first year of sixth form.

He said he wanted fewer modules and more exams at the end of two-year A-level courses to "revive the art of deep thought".

Mr Gove also suggested universities should be more involved in designing A-level qualifications.

In her letter, Prof Higgins said maths A-level is studied for "a wide range of purposes", and is not just a precursor to studying maths and science based subjects at university.

She said: "There is a real danger in making A-level mathematics significantly harder than it is currently."

She cited the Curriculum 2000 reforms, which led to a fall in the number of exam entries at the end of the course in 2002.

"We feel it is very important that we warn you that implementing such a policy runs a genuine risk of repeating the collapse in the numbers studying A-level mathematics witnessed in 2002."

The numbers took around six years to recover, following further changes in 2004.

The letter, first reported in the Times Educational Supplement (TES), said: "It is incorrect to assume that the modular system is wrong for all subjects and all students."

Prof Higgins said ACME does believe the brightest maths students need to be "stretched and challenged".

ACME, which represents academics and teachers, is the second body in a week to warn Mr Gove against A-level reforms.

Last Friday, Dr Geoff Parks, director of admissions at Cambridge University wrote to Mr Gove about his concerns.

Dr Parks said he was "worried" that axeing the exams could affect the efforts the university has made over the past decade to make admissions fairer and to admit more state school pupils, including those from poorer backgrounds.

Prof Higgins' warning over maths A-level came as it emerged an initiative is being set up to encourage pupils to study Greek at school.

The initiative is being run by the Iris Project, which pioneered the return of Latin to classrooms, and aims to help primary school children from poorer backgrounds to improve their language skills.

Lessons will start in three Oxford primary schools in September.

Project director Lorna Robinson told the TES: "It will provide a clear and fascinating basis for grasping the complexities of English grammar and connect with other aspects of the school curriculum, from history and geography through to science, maths, drama, art and sport."