The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and Edexcel have launched a new mathematics qualification at Levels 1 & 2, giving students the opportunity to learn mathematics skills within a vocational context. 

The BTEC Award in Mathematical Applications will provide learners with the mathematical knowledge they will require for further study, employment and everyday life, and takes a fresh look at how mathematics is taught and learnt.

The qualification has been designed by mathematics and vocational teachers and steered by a dynamic group of headteachers, teachers and academics, to engage students of all abilities and raise achievement in the subject. Initially students will be taught mathematical skills within engineering, sport and travel applications.

The inclusion of English and mathematics in 2006 league tables resulted in an average drop in the percentage of students achieving 5+ A*-C of around 10 percentage points, with mathematics being the main contributor. Although, this qualification will not replace GCSE maths, its vocational contexts are designed to motivate learners and improve their success in general qualifications.

David Crossley, Director of Achievement Networks at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust said: "The question we must ask ourselves is whether we can expect to significantly improve mathematics performance by over 10% simply by increasing the engagement levels of students and fully implementing "best" practice strategies within the current curriculum model. By having a mathematics qualification, such as the GCSE, which is designed for only half of our students to get a grade C or above, we are depriving students of their chance and validation for accessing the mathematical skills needed for their chosen career paths and denying them of achieving their full potential.

"The real issue is and has always been the structure and content of the mathematics curriculum and the relevance and appropriateness of the content being delivered."

Graham Corbyn, Head of Achievement Networks at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, said: "The BTEC in Mathematical Applications qualification tackles the issues of relevance, appropriateness, excitement, motivation and challenge for students of all abilities.  Students will be able to learn core maths skills in a context they understand and are engaged with.  They will also be assessed when they are ready rather than when they reach a certain age, giving them greater flexibility."

Isabel Sutcliffe, Edexcel's Qualifications and Assessment Director, said:  "This work with the SSAT is an exciting development for us. Our BTEC adds a new dimension to the maths offering. It will allow learners to access maths in a context they are familiar with and combines the vocational aspects of BTEC with maths to create a qualification relevant for work.  We will watch the progress of the pilot group with interest."

The BTEC Award in Mathematical Applications has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).  Commenting on the qualification Mick Waters, Director of Curriculum at the QCA said: "Success in mathematics is one of the essential keys to success in life.  The new BTEC in Mathematical Applications promotes real practical applications and situations with which young people can identify.  It's a strong award because it's been developed by people in schools.  It could be that in a few years we'll see similar programmes developed across the curriculum."

The new qualification, aimed at 14-19 year olds, is designed to work alongside the GCSE and will benefit a wide range of students including those who are:

• Wanting to study a maths programme before starting their GCSE or at the same time;
• Studying for a maths qualification such as functional maths or key skills and want to develop these skills in a vocational context;
• Have already achieved an A*-C grade in GCSE maths and would like to further their maths study prior to moving onto A level or equivalent; and
• Interested in further study in a vocational area and would like a taster of this as part of their GCSE programme.

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