Teaching contractors could plug mathematics skills gap

More needs to be done to improve kids'' understanding of mathematics, one expert believes.

Children need to be given a firm grounding in mathematics while they are still at school, which may require the use of teaching contractors.

Nansi Ellis, head of education policy at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, explained that a number of questions have been raised over the quality of maths tuition.

"We agree that a revised national curriculum should set out a core entitlement for each subject (including mathematics) of those things it is important forevery pupil to understand and be able to do," she pointed out.

Ms Ellis also highlighted that youngsters need the opportunity to be able to "function mathematically" in the present day, but this should be used as an excuse to hunt down who is responsible for failings.

The expert commended recommendations made in a report by Carol Vorderman, who suggested that teachers should be permitted to make professional judgements on teaching methods.