Tough times add up to more maths students

MORE students in Oldham are studying maths A-level as the economic downturn forces sixth-formers to focus on courses more likely to lead to a decent job.

Figures released by the Department for Education (DfE) show that the number of students taking A-level maths in the borough soared by 38 per cent between 2007 and 2011.

The DfE data show that in 2007, 178 sixth-formers in Oldham studied A-level maths, compared with 246 in 2011.

The number of students studying further maths at A-level increased from 22 to 27 across Oldham.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Students are choosing subjects more astutely, particularly in these difficult economic times when competition for university places and top jobs is greater than ever. Students are opting for those subjects that universities and employers want.”

Nationally, the number of students taking A-level maths has increased by 46 per cent over the past five years from 41,459 in 2007 to 60,698 in 2011.

Across the North-West the increase was higher at 49.6 per cent.

The number of sixth-formers taking further maths A-level has increased by 67 per cent from 4,811 in 2007 to 8,043 in 2011.

The increase reflects demand among university admissions tutors for students to stretch themselves by taking the most difficult sixth-form subjects.

Some institutions are even believed to have drawn up subject “black-lists”, meaning students taking more than one A-level in areas such as media studies, dance and sports studies could be automatically barred.

The Government has made maths, along with science, technology and engineering, a national priority as it seeks to re-establish Britain’s industrial and technological base to boost the economy in the face of competition from China and India.