Maths and Computing Specialist Schools

The post-14 mathematics inquiry report, due in February, is expected to recommend a complete shake-up of school-level mathematics at GCSE and A level, including making the material more inspirational, and universities are likely to be lambasted for their failure to nurture mathematical talent and to encourage mathematics graduates to pursue teaching careers. See, for example, the interview with Professor Adrian Smith in the Education Section of The Independent on 22 January 2004 at: http://education.independent.co.uk/schools/story.jsp?story=483299.....In this note Graham Corbyn describes the progress of the Mathematics and Computing Specialist Schools, and how the group is already working on new initiatives, including a project with HE on using real data in schools, the creation of a network of teachers to provide inspiration to others and developing links with schools in other countries.…