The main reason there is a maths crisis (TES, February 27) is that maths is treated as a core subject rather than as a set of useful skills, to be taught in bite-size “blocks”.
Pupils should be expected to reach appropriate levels of competence in “maths for citizenship”, which is all that most of them (and the economy) will ever need. After that they would take short refresher courses as and when necessary.
Academic maths should be available as an option for those with a career or interest in it.
Professor John Quicke 22 Dalewood Road Sheffield