Centre of excellence to boost maths teaching

Maths teachers are to be sent back to school as part of a drive to make their lessons more interesting and to entice more subject specialists into the profession.

Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, announced the creation yesterday of a National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, to "undo the myth that it is acceptable to be poor at maths".

Mr Clarke was speaking at an international mathematics seminar organised by the Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education (Acme), an independent group set up to improve maths lessons.

Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith, chairman of Acme, said almost one in four maths lessons was not led by a subject specialist, and filling all vacant posts would require 40 per cent of all new graduates to choose teaching as a career.

Mr Clarke said he planned to "inspire and support" maths teachers. "The sad fact is that maths still frightens too many people, including teachers," he told the seminar. "We have to ensure that all teachers, not just maths specialists, are confident when handling mathematics."

The new centre will aim to improve maths teaching from pre-school numberwork to mathematics degrees as well as courses for adults.

It will provide teachers with professional training and support projects for the mathematically gifted.

Sir Christopher welcomed the centre's creation, which Acme had proposed in December. "We desperately need to reverse the downward spiral in maths education," he said. "The under-supply of numerate graduates means it is difficult to recruit new teachers of maths with good quality mathematical backgrounds. A closed loop has been created, with not enough of today's pupils and students turning into tomorrow's maths teachers."