Minister Praises 'A' Level Maths Uptake

Schools Minister Jim Knight has praised the resurgence in maths 'A' level uptake that with science subjects now accounts for nearly a quarter (24%) of all 'A' Levels.

The Minister congratulated pupils and teachers, as today's 'A' Level results showed improvement in overall pass rates, and rises in the numbers taking Maths, Modern Languages and Science subjects.

The 2007 'A' Level results showed a rise in the proportion achieving A-C grades at 'A' Level had risen from 71.3% in 2006 to 72.8%.

There were significant rises in the numbers taking Maths (up 4,111, or 7.3% on 2006) and Further Maths (up by 602 or 8.3%) 'A' Level. At AS Level, there were increases of 6,582 (9.3%) in Maths and of 1,134 (18%) in Further Maths on last year.

An increase of 327 (0.3%) in the number of entries in Science subjects at 'A' Level, and of 3,913 (or 2.3%) at AS Level compared to last year. An increase of 100 (0.3%) in the number of entries in Modern Languages at 'A' Level, and of 804 (1.7%) at AS Level compared to last year.

There were 805,657 entries at 'A' Level and 1.11 million at AS Levels taken this year.

The overall pass rate (A-E) rose from 96.6% in 2006 to 96.9% at 'A' Level this year. At AS Level, the pass rate has increased by 0.3% points from 87.5% to 87.8%.

The latest results mean that there has been a 9.3 percentage point rise in the pass rate at 'A' Level since 1997 (from 87.6% to 96.9%), and a 17.1 percentage point rise in the proportion of A-C grades awarded (from 55.7% to 72.8%).

Mr Knight said: "I warmly congratulate students and teachers on these excellent results. Sustained progress in 'A' Level results over the last decade is down to high quality teaching and strong investment in our schools. Higher pass rates mean more young people are achieving advanced qualifications that will help them fulfil their ambitions - and this is something we should all celebrate.

"It is encouraging too that the numbers of students taking Maths, Modern Languages and Science subjects are on the rise - in the case of Maths, there has been a 14 per cent rise in uptake since 2004. We recognise their crucial importance to the UK economy and want to accelerate this trend over the coming years."

But Mr Knight added that it was important to raise standards even higher to ensure all young people are well supported throughout their education and get a relevant advanced qualification.

(SP)