I'm not sure if putting more algebra into GCSE Maths is the right solution. The point of GCSE Maths is to provide all students with a decent grounding in Mathematics that will help the average person in life, not to provide a stepping-stone to A Level. I think GCSE Maths is hard enough at the moment and serves its purpose. I absolutely wouldn't dispute the fact that there is a big step from GCSE to A Level in terms of the kind of thinking required but to be perfectly honest, it's a step that ought to be fairly manageable for people taking A Level Maths. If you're taking an A Level in Maths, you should firstly be very good at it and secondly be motivated. If you're not capable of pushing yourself to make that leap, I would wonder if taking A Level Maths is really the best decision. Maybe this point of view is unfairly brutal, but I don't think it's right that the education system should be spoon-feeding students. I've briefly cast my eye over the new Maths reforms and as much as I hate the current DoE, I have to admit that the maths (and science) reforms - at least in my view - are good.