Brussels, 29 Jun 2005

Mathematics in the UK is in 'a spiral of decline' and major reforms are needed in maths education to reverse the trend, according to a new report by the UK Mathematics Foundation.

According to the foundation, the situation is 'far more serious' than is usually admitted, and they say that there are now too few numerically proficient workers to train the next generation of mathematicians.

According to the report, which is based on the findings of a seminar of mathematicians held at Manchester University, A-level maths entries in the UK fell from 85,000 in 1989 to 54,000 in 2002 - a trend it described as 'disastrous'. The report blames changes to the A-level curriculum introduced in 2000, which divided the subject into separate modules and made it 'impossible to teach and to assess mathematics in an integrated way', thus reducing the attractiveness of the subject.

The foundation argues that a rethink of the way the subject is taught to 11 to 16 year olds is also necessary, with less focus on 'accelerating' more gifted pupils ahead of their classmates, and more focus on teaching the elementary aspects of maths which are important when moving on to do A-levels.

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The report states: 'In an era where power and wealth increasingly derive from 'intellectual property', the UK is in danger of becoming totally dependent on imported intellect.' However, a spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills said: 'No government has done more to get the basics right in our schools. Standards in maths are rising with last summer's test and exam results showing good progress.'

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