WORLD> Europe
Too much schools maths 'taught to the test'
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-19 15:24

LONDON -- Maths is not being taught well enough in many English schools with too much emphasis placed on "teaching to the test", government inspectors said on Friday.

The report by Ofsted found that despite improving exam results, teaching in almost a half of all maths lessons was only satisfactory or worse and pupils did not achieve the necessary understanding.

"Too many schools are not teaching mathematics well enough," said Ofsted Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert.

"The way mathematics is taught can make a huge difference to the level of enthusiasm and interest for the subject."

Ofsted, which based its findings on a study of 192 schools, said 11 percent of maths lessons were outstanding, 44 percent good and 40 percent satisfactory, a level which commentators said implied they were not up to scratch.

Six of the nine schools where teaching was inadequate were secondary schools, the report said.

While results in SATs exams and GCSEs have improved, pupils were not being left with the required skills, it added.

"Many schools, particularly secondary, are not teaching mathematics well enough because they place too much emphasis on routine exercises and on 'teaching to the test'", the report said.

"While this style of teaching prepares pupils to pass examinations ... it is less effective in promoting the required understanding to apply mathematics to new situations, solve problems and communicate solutions."

Earlier this year the government announced a 140 million pound strategy to increase the number of maths and science teachers, make lessons more exciting and improve exam results.