54% of FSM young people do not achieve level 2 maths by the age of 16. Yes, that is serious and ‘must not be allowed to continue.’
This statement really stood out to me as I read the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
At Winning With Numbers, we are on a mission to improve life chances.
As the review states, the issue described above is significant because as well as supporting daily life, level 2 maths is typically required to access employment.
Unless young people get this qualification, they are less likely to cope with daily life and enter employment and therefore we have NOT improved life chances.
We need to take this seriously. ‘THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE’!
I have added capital letters for impact, but I can hear the capitals in Becky Francis’s voice!
The report goes on to say that the issue ‘STARTS at Key Stage 1, goes UNRESOLVED at Key Stage 2 and PERSISTs into Key Stage 3.’
They START, go UNRESOLVED and PERSIST. Wow, what a terrible journey for so many children right from their early years of schooling.
Let’s change the story.
Let’s focus on what the report recommends and START in the early years with securing foundational knowledge (secure not superficial), RESOLVE any gaps identified and quickly and PERSIST in providing space within the number domain to priorities fluency and confidence.
Let’s START, RESOLVE AND PERSIST with ensuring all children are fluent and confident with number. This is a clear message from the curriculum and assessment review that aligns perfectly with the mission at Winning With Numbers!
So many more ‘files’ of thoughts to share and we look forward to continuing this conversation with colleagues!
