Pioneering methods of teaching maths are set to by adopted by the government after a trial project resulted in children of all abilities improving.

The experiment by 40 schools in Bradford concentrates on teaching mental arithmetic to whole classes.

Could the Bradford scheme be the answer to maths teaching?

The government is preparing to announce its ideas on improving the way maths is taught and the Bradford scheme is expected to figure highly in their thinking.

The Bradford scheme is part of the Numeracy Project, set up after concerns that Britain was falling behind other countries in the maths league table.

It mixes traditional and new techniques, relying heavily on teaching mental arithmetic in whole classes instead of having children working on their own or in small groups.

The system has also moved away from rote learning.

Glenys Lofthouse: "Best of both worlds"

Glenys Lofthouse, from Ashlands First School, Ilkley, said: "The generations that said they weren't very good at maths were the people who were taught in a rote fashion.

"I think the new generation will have the best of both worlds - they will be able to problem solve and have the maths strategies to work things out for themselves."

Children at Grange Road School, Bradford, are taught as a whole class. Lessons include 15 minutes every day for mental maths.

Teacher Carol Stephenson said: "Although they are all sat together I can target individual children and from the feedback I can assess whether they understand."

Results from the Bradford scheme have impressed the government which wants to raise standards in mathematics as quickly as possible.

The Department for Education and Employment is understood to be about to announce summer maths schools - two weeks of intensive teaching to bring children up to the required standards.

The Education Secretary, David Blunkett, is also expected to announce that schools should teach an hour of maths every day.

Next week the report of the numeracy working group, headed by Dr David Reynolds of Newcastle University, will spell out ways in which schools can improve maths teaching.

The key elements include interactive whole class teaching and a greater focus on mental arithmetic from an early age.

The maths changes are running in conjunction with alterations to the National Curriculum.

Last week, the government streamlined the primary National Curriculum to allow schools the time to concentrate on the 'three Rs'.
 

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