§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what discussions his Department has had with the Advisory Committee on Maths Education about improving mathematics education; [179415]
(2) when his Department will publish a formal response to the Smith Inquiry; [179416]
(3) if he will make a statement on the Smith report; and what steps his Department is taking to improve the standard of mathematics education [179417]
§ Mr. MilibandI am replying to these three parliamentary questions together as they all have links to the Post-14 Mathematics Inquiry. We are most grateful to Professor Adrian Smith for the work he has put into the report, "Making Mathematics Count", and for his continued support. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has said previously, the issues are complex and need to be considered carefully, particularly alongside the work of the Working Group on 14–19 Reform. A response is expected shortly. We1396W have already announced that we accept the need for a high level post within the Department dedicated to mathematics and that we plan to undertake a marketing campaign to promote the take-up of mathematics. The post of Chief Adviser for Mathematics has now been advertised and in the meantime Anita Straker of the Centre for British Teachers, has been appointed on an interim basis.
Officials informally met members of the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) during 2001 while it was being set up and, since 2002, have met the committee on a regular basis to discuss mathematics education. Ministers from this Department and the Department for Trade and Industry have also met ACME. During the period of the inquiry, ACME organised a series of workshops for Professor Smith to develop and discuss key areas. ACME and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) held a joint workshop in March to discuss specific recommendations in the Smith report, which was funded and attended by this Department. Anita Straker, the Department's Interim Chief Adviser for Mathematics, is due to meet the committee later this month.