THE Government is to set up a national centre for the teaching of mathematics, The TES can reveal.
The centre, which follows a similar move for science teaching, is expected to be part of a drive to address the chronic shortage of maths teachers.
In December, the Advisory Committee on Maths Education issued a report calling for a national academy as part of a major revamp of teachers’
professional development.
The committee also urged the creation of local maths centres to develop networks of teachers and lecturers and a guarantee of funded time for professional development for all teachers.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke is understood to be keen on the report and will speak at an ACME seminar next month.
The pound;25 million national science centre, funded by the Wellcome Trust, is part of a pound;51m government drive aimed at boosting teachers’
knowledge and skills as well as retention rates.
