GCSEs: Brighton charity calls for non-exam certificate proving students' basic maths skills
National Numeracy says up to 1 in 3 fail the exam - and it can affect maths confidence for life
A Brighton charity's calling for all students to get a certificate to prove they've got basic maths skills, as teenagers across the UK open their GCSE results.
National Numeracy says up to 1 in 3 fail the exam, and end up leaving school feeling they "can't do" maths at all.
Their research also found 39% of 18-34 year olds leave school without maths confidence.
The charity's Programmes Director Paul Milner told Greatest Hits Radio the attitude can impact into later life: "If you leave school not feeling positive about it, I think it can result in the shutters coming down on people's relationship with maths as they enter adult life...
"Unfortunately it can affect you getting a job, it can affect you doing a job, taking part in training opportunities, applying for new jobs, can affect you managing your money, support and supporting your children with their numeracy."
Milner continued that "the content of maths GCSE, even at foundation level, goes well beyond the basics that we all need in daily life":
"We think something needs to... be put in place that shows that everybody leaves school with the essential basics of maths in place, almost like a driving test certificate, that shows that while you might not go on to study maths to a higher level, you do have the skills you need at home and at work.
"I think this would be very helpful for employers too.
"But I think we can all contribute to changing the nation's relationship with maths by recognising that many essential skills like understanding your payslip or managing your finances - that's maths.
"And it's actually really useful and valuable. So I think let's all try and be more positive about it."