With its particular emphasis on mathematics, this report will make for useful reading for maths teachers, or heads at schools looking to improve their mathematics teaching and results.
Mathematics made to measure
Synopsis
This Ofsted report highlights the serious inequalities in pupils’ experiences and achievements in mathematics. Based on evidence from inspections of mathematics between January 2008 and July 2011 it finds that pupils' varying pre-school experiences with maths create gaps in knowledge that are rarely overcome. This is particularly true of pupils on free school meals.
Ofsted found schools that tackled mathematical disadvantage particularly well tended to put extra emphasis on expertise in maths teaching. More emphasis on ‘problem solving’ in maths, rather than simply working to assessment was also found to better equip pupils for later stages of their education, leading to more long-term improvements in maths.
More should be done, suggests Ofsted, to help schools develop their staff’s expertise in mathematics, and at primary school level there needs to be more allowance for pupils' different levels of mathematical knowledge prior to starting school.