Teenagers who fail their maths GCSE are “doomed to a cycle of resits” that has seen some taking the exam eight times, education experts have warned.
Pupils are becoming alienated and stuck in a vicious circle of retakes which they are statistically less likely to pass each time, teaching leaders told MPs.
Around 175,000 young people fail their maths GCSE every year which has a significant impact on their confidence, Sam Sims, chief executive of National Numeracy, told the Education Select Committee.
Under current rules, pupils who fail to get a grade 4 in maths or English GCSE must retake the exam until they leave school, but few pass on second or subsequent attempts. This is leaving teenagers disengaged and alienated.
