New Advanced Maths Premium to encourage maths take-up after GCSE

The government has launched a new fund to help schools and colleges increase the number of students studying maths after GCSE.

Data shows that pupils who do well in maths at school earn higher wages, with men seeing a premium of 12.5% and women a 23.9% increase.

The an Advanced Maths Premium will also support institutions to increase the number of girls and those from disadvantaged backgrounds taking advanced maths qualifications, to help equip Britain with the skills needed to boost the future economy. The £600 premium is equivalent to 15% of the base funding per student.

From September 2018, schools and colleges will receive an extra £600 premium for each additional pupil taking the one-year AS maths or the Core Maths qualification. This could mean £1,200 for each additional pupil who takes the two-year A level in maths or further maths.

While maths continues to be the most popular subject at A level, with almost 25% of pupils choosing to study it, there are almost three quarters of students with an A*-C in GCSE maths at age 16 who decide not to continue studying the subject.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Elizabeth Truss, said: “We know that maths powers our economy. And for individual students, choosing maths could add around 10 per cent to their future earnings.

“It is even more beneficial for women and I specifically want to encourage more girls to take maths and open up their future.

“In many other advanced nations, pupils are encouraged to study maths beyond 16-years-old. The maths premium will help more students study maths for longer and put them in a great position to take up skilled jobs.”