MATHS TEACHERS " TAUGHT TO TEACH"

Maths teachers in England are being sent booklets with advice on how to teach their subject after a report identified weaknesses.

School inspectors Ofsted has warned that about half of schools need to improve the quality of maths teaching.

The booklets aim to improve teaching by "shifting it away from a narrow emphasis on skills". 

Maths results at primary and secondary level are improving, but ministers recognise more needs to be done.

Ofsted's report on maths teaching, published at the end of last year, said too much of it was "taught to the test" and that this did not equip pupils for their futures.

The new booklets - one written for primary schools and one for secondaries - are designed to help improve pupils' understanding of maths and how it is applied in everyday life. 

Ofsted says that more pupils should be achieving higher grades in the subject.

"Strategies to improve test and examination performance, coupled with teaching that focuses heavily on preparation for the qualifications, does not equip pupils for their futures," says the booklet destined for secondary schools. 

It goes on to describe features of good and satisfactory teaching.

In successful teaching, the booklet says, "Teachers monitor all pupils' understanding throughout the lesson, recognising quickly when pupils already understand the work or what their misconceptions might be, for example, circulating to check all have started correctly, to spot errors and extend thinking."