Skills shortage exacerbated by ‘lost’ maths pupils

A new study by charity Axiom Maths suggests around 30,000 talented maths pupils are ‘disappearing’ from the school system between the ages of 11 and 16, with half of top-performing disadvantaged pupils being ‘lost’

According to Axiom Maths, these children are missing out on a £500,000 lifetime earnings premium, compared to those who continue studying maths to a high level.

The number of STEM vacancies currently stands at 16,000 according to new analysis of government statistics but is estimated to grow with the expansion and application of AI. The overall cost to the UK economy of a STEM skills gap is estimated to be at least £1.5bn per year.

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Axiom Maths surveyed pupils and their families to try to identify why and when high-attaining maths pupils are ‘lost’ as they progress through their education.  

The study, which surveyed 2,000 parents and 2,000 pupils in Years 6-9, found that when high-attaining primary pupils transition into secondary school they become 25 per cent less likely to say maths is fun, 40 per cent more likely to say maths is not challenging enough, and twice as likely to say maths is boring 

Axiom Maths is offering to pay for ‘Maths Champions’ in secondary schools ‘to seize the critical window of opportunity’ as high-attainers start Year 7 and are at risk of falling off track in maths. To this end, the charity has launched an appeal for schools to sign up for a fully funded package of support.

In a statement, David Thomas, CEO of Axiom Maths, former maths teacher, secondary headteacher and Department for Education adviser, said: “The future success of our economy hinges on developing this talent to address the STEM skills shortage and to ensure the UK's competitiveness on the global stage. Maths can give us a unique power. We’re here to help young mathematicians master that power, as we simply can’t afford to ‘lose’ them.”