Should children study maths until 18?
Just half of all 16 to 19-year-olds study maths.
Rishi Sunak’s idea to make maths compulsory to 18 has attracted considerable debate in the past few days. The practicalities and implications are complex enough, but the idea itself obscures a wider question about how and why we choose different subjects at school.
For some, GCSE and A-Level choices are fuelled by the goal of employment. They are explicit conduits to the skills perceived by many employers as valuable: numeracy, and digital literacy.
For others, choosing subjects at school is driven by passion or interest. Although these two things are not necessarily exclusive but it’s true to say that subject choices encourages us, too early, to make decisions that will affect our future prospects.
Maybe too there’s a misconception about the skills that are valuable. When I studied drama at school, and had to build a play with my friends, I learnt collaboration and leadership in spades. These are the skills the Oxford Character Project indicates are most valuable in the workplace.
Few are suggesting we all study drama to A-Level.
So, there are many questions here that need unpacking:
• Do we choose subjects at school too early?
• Do we understand the relationship between subject choice and employability?
• Do we know what employers are really looking for?
• Do we prioritise passion or future application?
It’s not until these questions are properly explored that we can make any effort towards evaluating Rishi Sunak’s plan.
Forgiving the pun, things don’t add up otherwise.
By Adam Goodbody
Founders’ Associate & Mentor