Half of maths lessons 'not good enough'

Half of school maths lessons are not good enough, with pupils drilled to pass tests but given little real understanding of the subject, a damning report by the education watchdog warns today.

A study of nearly 200 schools found that while maths tests and exam results have improved, teachers' poor understanding of mathematics was a serious problem. Fewer than half of secondary maths teachers have degrees in maths or related subjects and there is a shortage of suitably qualified candidates.

The report, Mathematics: Understanding the score, concluded: "Many [teachers] concentrated on approaches they believed prepared pupils for tests and examinations, in effect 'teaching to the test'."

Christine Gilbert, chief inspector of schools, said: "Too many schools are not teaching mathematics well enough.

The Schools minister Jim Knight said: "While Ofsted recognises there are positive trends, with results in maths up at all ages, we know more needs to be done to improve maths for the long term."