Press Release

AQA launch new draft GCSE Maths specifications

14 July 2009

The teaching and assessment of GCSE Maths is changing. AQA are launching their new draft GCSE Maths specifications this Wednesday 15 July 2009. From September 2010, the new specifications will be taught, which involve 50% problem solving and the introduction of Functional Maths. These big changes stem from the recommendations of the Smith report Making Mathematics Count (2004) and are aimed at making maths relevant to students, in synch with the demands of the modern world and appealing to all levels of ability. Process skills and problem solving are at the forefront of the new specifications.

Mike Cresswell, Director General of AQA said:

“The pilot of the new Use of Maths A Level dominated many column inches in the past week, but it is only one of a number of big changes to maths intended to address the recommendations in Adrian Smith’s report a few years ago. For example, new draft GCSE Maths specifications are being launched on Wednesday which will affect every school and college student in the UK. The new GCSEs are designed to help all our young people leave school and college mathematically competent and able to use mathematical ideas confidently to solve problems. We should be talking about ensuring that all our young people have the mathematical skills they need in the modern world, not having academic debates about what counts as mathematics.”

Having carried out more pilots than any other awarding body, AQA are at the heart of the big changes to the Maths curriculum. As part of the Curriculum Pathways Project, our GCSE Maths and Functional Maths pilots have been carried out in over 400 schools for 44,000 students. They have provided us with unique insights into the upcoming Maths revolution and we have used this knowledge to ensure that teachers and students get the most success of the changes.

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