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Thursday, 24 January 2008, 13:12 GMT

Cash boost for maths and science

Schools in England are to receive £140m over the next three years to improve maths and science teaching.

The strategy involves making the subjects more exciting to encourage more pupils to study maths and science.

It also includes a better system of recruiting and retaining good quality maths and science teachers.

The long-term aim is to help the UK plug a skills gap and compete in the global economy.

The multi-million pound package is more than double the amount spent between 2005 and 2008.

Its underlining theme is to increase the number of science and maths teachers, improve results at GCSE and increase the number of young people aged 16+ studying these subjects.

"I want more science in action in the classroom, more flash bang to enthuse budding scientists"
Jim Knight, schools minister

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "Britain has a great tradition for producing world class scientists and engineers and I want to not only maintain but enhance that.

"When I visit schools I see that science and maths lessons can be exciting and inspiring.

"I want more science in action in the classroom, more flash bang to enthuse budding scientists.

"We want more young people studying science and maths A-levels, that is why we are investing more than ever in these important subjects.

"As well as learning the periodic table students must be able to experience the excitement of practical experiments."

The programme includes:-

£31 million for recruitment and retention including £11.4 million so that teachers can retrain to become maths, physics and chemistry specialists - every teacher who retrains will receive a financial incentive of £5,000

£50 million for continuing professional development including

£18 million to fund the regional science learning centres plus continued funding for the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics

£4.5 million for schools to encourage them to release teachers for professional development at our science learning centres

£34 million to help boost the number of young people studying science STEM subjects post-16 including up to £9 million so that more pupils can take the three GCSEs in physics, chemistry and biology

£9 million to improve pupils' learning experience through enhancement and enrichment activities including doubling the number of science and engineering clubs in schools from 250 to 500

The funding package has been welcomed by bodies dedicated to raising the profile of maths and science.

National Science Learning Centre director John Holman said: "This investment in science teaching is an investment in young people and in the country's economic future."

Director of the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics Professor Celia Hoyles, said: "I am absolutely delighted at the news that the government will continue to support the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics.

"Mathematics is at the heart of so much of education across all phases.

"It is a life skill and it provides a unique and powerful perspective on the world.

"We must engage more learners in mathematics and nurture their mathematical potential."

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Related to this story:
Gap in maths and science teaching (26 Jan 06 | Education )
Warning over science teacher data (10 Dec 07 | Education )
Science teacher shortage warning (05 Jun 07 | Education )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Department for Children, Schools and Families
National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics
National Science Learning Centre
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