My maths education against backdrop of UK

By Andy Cook
  • GCE O- and A-levels introduced

    GCE O- and A-levels introduced

    Originally introduced as either/or rather than sequential exams.
  • Period: to

    Maths educational timeline

  • Comprehensive schools created

    Comprehensive schools created

    Harold Wilson's newly-elected Labour government promises to set up comprehensive schools, combining pupils of all ability levels.
  • CSE introduced

    CSE introduced

    Certificate of Secondary Education. Prompted from 1960 Beloe Report, introduced in 1963 with first exam in 1965..
  • Polytechnics established

    Polytechnics established

  • Decimalisation of currency

    Decimalisation of currency

  • Start school (Lightwoods Primary)

    Start school (Lightwoods Primary)

  • School leaving age raised to 16

    School leaving age raised to 16

  • Start Perryfields High School

    Start Perryfields High School

  • ZX81

    ZX81

    Learnt to program - Basic
  • BBC computers enter school

    BBC computers enter school

  • Cockcroft report "Mathematics Counts"

    Cockcroft report "Mathematics Counts"

  • Passed O-Level

    Passed O-Level

    Mathematics (A)
  • Started West Park College

    Started West Park College

    They have knocked it down now, this is the school opposite...
  • Passed A-level

    Passed A-level

    Pure Mathematics with Mechanics (A)
  • GCSE introduced

    GCSE introduced

    Courses started in 1986 with first exam in 1988.
  • Passed more A-levels

    Passed more A-levels

    Pure Mathematics with Mechanics (again) (A) and Special Paper (Distinction). Further Pure Mathematics with Mechanics (A) and Special Paper (Merit).
  • Started Emmanuel College, Cambridge

    Started Emmanuel College, Cambridge

    Mathematics department.
  • Black report - League tables

    Black report - League tables

  • Graduated from Cambridge

    Graduated from Cambridge

    Took mathematics all three years focussed on theoretical physics in second and third years. Second class (not split at Cambridge).
  • Started the Actuarial Professional Exams

    Started the Actuarial Professional Exams

    Sponsored by William M. Mercer Fraser.
  • Computer power in my first job!

    Computer power in my first job!

    IBM PS2 386 Processor. Basic, Fortran, Pascal...
  • Learned APL

    Learned APL

    APL = A Programming Language.
  • SATs introduced

    SATs introduced

    National Curriculum Standard Attainment Tests introduced for all children aged seven, 11 and 14. Phased between 1991 and 1995 as each cohort completed a full key stage.
  • Polytechnics given university status

    Polytechnics given university status

  • Ofsted created

    Ofsted created

    Prompted by Education (Schools) Act 1992.
  • Master of Arts

    Master of Arts

    Picked up my free MA four years after graduating..
  • A* introduced for GCSE

    A* introduced for GCSE

  • Went to Canada

    Went to Canada

    Secondment for 18 months.
  • Learned C++

    Learned C++

    Learned C++ on secondment.
  • Became a Fellow of Institute of Actuaries

    Became a Fellow of Institute of Actuaries

    Finally passed all of the the exams.
  • Moser Report Improving literacy and numeracy: a fresh start

    Moser Report Improving literacy and numeracy: a fresh start

    Fresh Start scheme: aimed to revitalise 'failing' inner-city schools and the National Numeracy Strategy.
  • AS-levels introduced

    AS-levels introduced

    Advanced Subsidiary level introduced in 2000 with first exam held in 2001.
  • First academies established

    First academies established

    Introduced in the Learning and Skills Act 2000. Numbers increased following the Academies Act 2010.
  • Smith Report "Making Mathematics Count"

    Smith Report "Making Mathematics Count"

    Report of Professor Adrian Smith's inquiry into post-14 mathematics education.
  • Primary National Strategy

    Primary National Strategy

    Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics.
  • CSFC Testing and Assessment

    CSFC Testing and Assessment

    'The national testing system should be reformed ... in such a way as to remove from schools the imperative to pursue test results at all costs'.
  • Ofqual established

    Ofqual established

    Ofqual was set up in April 2010 under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and is also covered by the Education Act 2011.
  • CSFC Report National Curriculum

    CSFC Report National Curriculum

    Advocated a slimmed-down National Curriculum.
  • A* introduced for A-level

    A* introduced for A-level

  • Vorderman Report

    Vorderman Report

    Vorderman report published on "A world-class mathematics education for all our young people".
  • Decoupling of AS- and A-level

    Decoupling of AS- and A-level

    Impacted teaching from 2015 and first AS exam in 2016 and first A level in 2017.
  • New grading structure for GCSE

    New grading structure for GCSE

    English and Maths leading the way, other subjects to follow.
  • Back to school

    Back to school

    Teacher training