Less than 1% of academics suppose Rishi Sunak’s maths to 18 plan needs to be precedence

Less than 1% of teachers rank Rishi Sunak’s plans to replace A Levels and introduce maths to 18 as a priority, a new polls shows.

In a blow to the Tory leader’s proposals the survey suggests school funding is by far the number one issue in the run-up to next month’s General Election. Just over 81% of respondents to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) ranked the issue highest.

Mr Sunak has vowed to replace A Levels with a new “Advanced British Standard” with sixth formers forced to study five subjects – rather than three. Every child will also study maths and English in some form up to the age of 18.

But the NFER said less than 1% of those polled rank the policies as their top three issues. Chief executive Carole Willis said: “Sufficient funding for schools is of vital importance to a well-functioning education system.

“This latest polling shows how important school funding is to teachers, and we urge all political parties to prioritise future spending pledges on the education system to improve outcomes for all children and young people in this country.”

Teachers said Ofsted reform, recruitment and retention and SEND support were among their top priorities. Last week Mr Sunak admitted his two daughters weren’t hugely excited about studying maths until they’re 18.

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While he was being asked about his controversial National Service plan he said: “My daughters, I think, are definitely more excited than they were when I announced maths to 18. I can tell you that was a much, much easier conversation than that conversation was.”

The NFER polled 1,282 school teachers and senior leaders as part of its General Election research.