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The following table shows the number of achievements by learners in LSC-funded further education provision of GCSE Mathematics in each academic year since 2003-04, the earliest year for which we have comparable information.
Age 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 Under 16 100 100 — 100 100 16-18 26,900 26,600 26,100 25,900 24,900 19-25 4,800 4,800 4,900 4,800 4,500 Over 25 8,700 8,800 7,800 7,100 6,200 Total 40,400 40,300 38,800 37,900 35,700 Notes: 1. Age is based on age as at 31 August (academic age). 2. This information does not include learners studying GCSE Mathematics in Schools, higher education institutions or privately funded learners. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 4. ‘—’ indicates less than 50. 5. Figures include achievements at any grade. Source: FE ILF
Awarding body data on GCSE examination entries is analysed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families as part of the Secondary School Achievement and Attainment Tables publication. However, this work only covers young people at the end of key stage 4. Therefore, we do not have information readily available on all learners being entered for GCSE Mathematics examinations.
Due to the increased number of pupils taking and successfully passing a Maths GCSE at school, we would expect the volume of learners studying this qualification at a further education college to fall. In 1997, there were 534.7 thousand 15-year-olds (academic age) attempting GCSE Mathematics and 250.3 thousand achieving a C grade or higher (around 50 per cent. of those attempting the subject). In 2004, 606.0 thousand pupils attempted GCSE Mathematics at the end of key stage 4 with 318.9 thousand achieving a grade A*-C (around 53 per cent. of those attempting the subject). In 2008, 609.7 thousand pupils attempted GCSE Mathematics at the end of key stage 4, with 361.1 thousand achieving a grade A*-C (59 per cent. of those attempting the subject).
A GCSE may not necessarily be the most appropriate learning outcome for many learners and colleges have been encouraged to advise learners to study the most relevant qualification to them. Many learners who may previously have undertaken a GCSE in Mathematics now have their numeracy needs picked up through embedded learning in other courses.
Over the past few years the Government have prioritised investment in adult skills towards those courses that best provide individuals with the skills to enter into sustained employment and progress into further learning. In 2007/08 464,000 learners achieved a Numeracy Skills for Life qualification.